While progress is being made in the battle against the spread of the Covid-19 virus, many parts of the world continue to struggle with high infection rates, hospitalizations and fatalities attributable to the virus. The Law Office of Matthew I Hirsch extends its support and sympathy to our clients and friends from India or who have family in India who are dealing with a steep surge in the spread of the virus. With new infections in India exploding at record rates, the situation has reached crisis proportions and many families are facing the sad loss of loved ones and deep concern about the impact of Covid on their lives.
This situation reminds us that the Covid-19 pandemic which has so gravely impacted our lives is still with us. By reason of the outbreak in India, on April 30, 2021, the Biden Administration announced the imposition of travel restrictions for people coming from India.
According to the Presidential Proclamation, based on the Administration’s determination that it is in the interests of the United States to take action to restrict and suspend the entry of non-U.S. citizens who were physically present within the Republic of India during the 14‑days preceding their entry or attempted entry into the U.S.
As of May 4, 2021, the U.S. has imposed a ban on travel of non-immigrants who were physically present in India within the previous two weeks. The ban applies only to non-immigrants i.e. visitors, students, temporary workers, and it incorporates a long series of exceptions and exemptions. Most notably, the travel ban does not apply to:
- lawful permanent residents, spouses of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents,
- noncitizens who are the parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or LPR minor,
- any noncitizen who is the child of a U.S. citizen or LPR, or who is a prospective adoptee,
- any noncitizen traveling at the invitation of the U.S. government for a purpose related to containment or mitigation of the virus,
- any noncitizen whose entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives, or
- any noncitizen whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees.
The travel ban also does not apply to holders of diplomatic visas (A/G/NATO), crewmen (C/D) and non-citizens associated with the U.S. military. For additional information on the India travel ban, click here.
It is important to point out also that, while the trendlines are favorable in most of the U.S., travel bans remain in place, most notably for the Schengen Zone i.e. most of Western Europe, the U.K. and Ireland, Brazil, China, Iran. For additional information on the current status of travel bans, including exceptions and exemptions and procedures for applying for exemptions from the travel bans, click here. For questions on how the Covid travel bans impact you, your family, your business or others, contact us.