Important Updates from OIS – Coronavirus and Travel Ban
The OIS wants to bring to your attention the following two recent updates with potential impact on our international visitors:
Coronavirus:
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Azar announced a ban on foreign nationals traveling from China and quarantines for U.S. citizens coming from China. The restrictions went into effect at 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, February 2.” Foreign nationals, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who have traveled in China within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the United States for this time,” per a presidential proclamation under INA 212(f), signed by President Trump on January 31.
We can work with your department to amend program start dates for those from China who were expected to enter in the near future. Moreover, if you have an exchange visitor from China whose program is ending in the near future and you are willing to continue sponsorship of that individual, we will work with your department to extend the program.
In addition, the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory Warning: Do Not Travel to China. For more information, please visit: NAFSA Coronavirus update, or the CDC Coronavirus.
Expansion of Travel Ban:
In a January 31, 2020, Presidential Proclamation, the Trump administration expanded its travel ban to place visa and entry restrictions on travelers from six additional countries.
What You Need to Know:
The six countries added to the existing travel ban are: Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.
The expanded ban becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. (EST) on February 21, 2020.
The ban contains restrictions on immigrants but not on nonimmigrants, so it will not impact acquisition of nonimmigrant visas like F-1 student, J-1 exchange visitor, H-1B worker, etc., or of admission to the United States in those categories. (Immigrant status means those who are here as U.S. permanent residents, or green card holders)
This will have limited immediate impact on our international population at this time. If you, or any current or prospective international visitors, have questions about this travel ban, or previous versions thereof, please direct them to our office. For more information and updates, visit NAFSA’s travel ban page.
Please do not hesitate to contact the OIS if you have any questions. We will keep you posted as the situation evolves.