Can you still travel to the US directly from the UK, Ireland, Schengen area or Brazil after January 26th?

24 Jan Can you still travel to the US directly from the UK, Ireland, Schengen area or Brazil after January 26th?

Posted at 18:02h in Coronavirus, Nonimmigrant Visas, Proclamations by

US COVID travel bans likely still in place for those in UK, Ireland, Schengen area, and Brazil.

 

President Biden signed the Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel on 21st January 2021. This order directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall within 14 days, or 3rd February 2021, assess the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) 12th January 2021 order requiring a negative COVID test for all travelers into the United States starting from 26th January 2021.

On 18th January 2021 Trump signed an order rescinding the COVID travel bans for those located in the UK, Ireland, Brazil, and Schengen area starting from 26th January 2021 when the CDC order takes effect. Despite this, the Biden administration has indicated that they will keep these travel bans in place while they confer with medical experts to establish the best way to allow international travelers into the United States. US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that, as of 22nd January 2021, they have not received confirmation whether the Biden administration will keep the travel bans in place after 26th January 2021. Although based on a 19th January tweet from Biden’s Press Secretary, it is highly likely that the Biden administration will keep the travel bans in place.  Therefore, if a person is in the UK, Ireland, Schengen area, or Brazil they must continue to fall under an exception such as being a US citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, or their spouses, and minor children or qualify for national interest exception (NIE) for permission to travel directly from the UK, Ireland, Brazil, or the Schengen area.

Please note this information is general in nature and cannot be considered legal advice. If you need advice on whether you may travel to the US from one of these countries or how to request a national interest or humanitarian to the COVID travel bans, please contact our office at info@flynnhodkinson.com.