COVID-19 Entry Suspension for India (Updated)
Friday, April, 30th, 2021 Archived / Inactive COVID-19 Immigration
On Friday, April 30 2021, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation suspending the entry of non-US citizens if they were physically present in India in the 14-day period prior to seeking entry to the US. The suspension goes into effect at 12:01am on May 4, 2021 and will remain in effect until terminated by the President.
Certain exceptions to the 14-day suspension period will be available to US permanent residents and others in specific categories. Please read the Presidential Proclamation for additional details. There is no indication at this time as to whether there will be an automatic national interest exception (NIE) for certain visa holders, such as F-1 students or J-1 exchange visitors.
We appreciate that this development, reflecting the sudden and dramatic worsening of the COVID-19 situation in India, will create numerous questions and concerns about travel. The International Center will be reviewing current guidance and preparing information in the next few days for students and other members of our community affected by this development.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us at internationalcenter@tufts.edu with your questions.
Update - May 1, 2021
National Interest Exception for F-1 Students Applied to India, Effective for Programs Starting or Continuing on August 1 or Later
The Department of State announced that automatic national interest exceptions (NIEs) that had been previously announced for other countries and regions subject to COVID-19 entry suspensions (China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area of Western Europe and the United Kingdom and Ireland) would be applied to India. This means that F-1 students physically present in India should be able to enter the US, if their programs are starting on or after August 1, 2021, without having to spend a 14-day period in another country or location not subject to the entry suspension. F-1 students must still have a valid F-1 visa in addition to other documents such as a valid Form I-20 as a condition of entry into the US.
Update - May 4, 2021
National Interest Exceptions FAQs
The US Embassy in Dehli has posted frequently asked questions regarding the National Interest Exception process and the Presidential Proclamation imposing a 14-day entry suspension on travelers arriving from India.