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Presidential Proclamation Restricts Travel from Eight Countries

November 30, 2021

The Biden Administration issued a proclamation suspending the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all foreign nationals who were physically present within any of the following countries or territories during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States: 

• The Republic of Botswana 
• The Kingdom of Eswatini 
• The Kingdom of Lesotho 
• The Republic of Malawi 
• The Republic of Mozambique 
• The Republic of Namibia 
• The Republic of South Africa 
• The Republic of Zimbabwe 

This proclamation is effective at 12:01 am EST on November 29, 2021. This proclamation does not apply to persons aboard a flight scheduled to arrive in the United States that departed prior to 12:01 am EST on November 29, 2021. 

These are the only country-specific travel bans due to COVID-19 at this time. Prior country-specific bans were revoked via proclamation on October 25, 2021. The same proclamation provided for limitations on travel for unvaccinated foreign nationals. 

Who is exempt from this new travel ban? 

• Any lawful permanent resident of the United States; 
• Any foreign national who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; 
• Any foreign national who is the parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21; 
• Any foreign national who is the sibling of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21; 
• Any foreign national who is the child, foster child, or ward of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications; 
• Any foreign national traveling at the invitation of the United States Government for a purpose related to containment or mitigation of the virus; 
• Any foreign national traveling as a nonimmigrant pursuant to a C-1, D, or C-1/D nonimmigrant visa as a crewmember or any foreign national otherwise traveling to the United States as air or sea crew; and 
• Any foreign national seeking entry into or transiting the United States pursuant to one of the following visas: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3 (as a foreign government official or immediate family member of an official), E-1 (as an employee of TECRO or TECO or the employee’s immediate family members), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-4, or NATO-6 (or seeking to enter as a nonimmigrant in one of those NATO categories), or whose travel falls within the scope of section 11 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement.

We will continue update our website regarding travel restrictions and the ways in which COVID-19 affects immigration rules and regulations. As always, our attorneys and staff are available at their normal email addresses and phone numbers if you have any questions or concerns regarding your case.

TAGS: Covid-19, Executive Order, President Biden, Travel Ban