National Interest Exception Waivers Granted by the US Department of State Extended for 12 Months and Multiple Entries

National Interest Exception Waivers Granted by the US Department of State Extended for 12 Months and Multiple Entries

On 06 July, the Department of State announced the automatic extension of National Interest Exception (‘NIE’) waivers approved within the last 12 months. An NIE waiver is granted in limited circumstances to allow an individual to enter the United States despite being subject to the COVID-19 ban on entry for those with physical presence in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Schengen Area, South Africa, China, Brazil, Iran, or India within 14 days of entry.

 

This change in policy means that if you had an NIE approved by the Department of State within the last 12 months it has been automatically extended for 12 months from the date of issuance. In addition, you are now able to make multiple entries to the United States within that 12 month validity period.

 

However, the automatic extension has not yet been confirmed by Customs and Border Protection (‘CBP’) so if you previously received an NIE waiver from CBP and need to travel to the United States again you may need to make a new NIE request with the Department of State. Check back here for updates on CBP’s policy in the coming days.

 

Likewise, if it has been over 12 months since the Department of State last granted you an NIE waiver you will need to make another request if you wish to travel to the US again while the COVID-19 travel ban is still in place.

 

If you would like to travel to the United States and you think that you qualify for an NIE (current eligibility requirements can be found here), please send us an email at rikkilee@flynnhodkinson.com, or you can schedule a time to speak to one of our lawyers here.