Foreign nationals will soon face fewer pandemic-related hurdles to entering the U.S. for business, authorized work and other lawful reasons. In early November, the U.S. will lift its travel bans that currently bar foreign nationals from U.S. entry if traveling from Europe, China, India and other areas previously hard hit by COVID-19. The Biden administration announced on Monday that it will replace the country-specific entry bans with a requirement that all adult foreign nationals show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 before boarding flights to the U.S.
The easing of U.S. entry restrictions is welcome news to many U.S. businesses. The current entry restrictions have hampered U.S. businesses in conducting in-person business activities with visitors from foreign affiliates, suppliers and partners, and in bringing in or bringing back foreign talent for hard-to-fill permanent and seasonal positions. Many of the country-specific entry restrictions have been in place for more than a year.
Despite the upcoming easing of U.S. entry restrictions, foreign nationals requiring a visa stamp for U.S. entry may still face substantial delays in obtaining a visa stamp due to pandemic-related backlogs at U.S. consulates worldwide.
The upcoming vaccination requirement will not apply to U.S. citizens re-entering the U.S. Nor will it apply to foreign nationals entering the U.S. by land.
If you have questions about pandemic-related travel restrictions or other immigration matters, please contact Angela Jenkins.