Coronavirus

Stricter Testing Requirement for Travelers from or through the PRC, Hong Kong & Macau

January 3, 2023

On December 28, 2022, stricter testing requirements for international travelers to the US were announced by the CDC as part of a comprehensive strategy to fight COVID-19. The following is an excerpt from the CDC announcement: Starting at 12:01 AM ET on January 5, all air passengers two years and older originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will be required to get a test (such as a...

Negative COVID-19 Viral Test Condition at Air Ports of Entry Removed Effective June 12, 2022

June 13, 2022

As of 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. Information on this change can be found on the CDC’s COVID-19 Testing Recision webpage

Travel Ban for Southern Africa Revoked Effective December 31, 2021

December 29, 2021

On December 28, 2021 President Biden issued A Proclamation on Revoking Proclamation 10315 which revokes the southern Africa entry ban effective 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on December 31, 2021. Additional information can be found on the Dept of State webpage...

Stricter Testing Requirement for International Travelers to the US

December 3, 2021

On December 2, 2021, stricter testing requirements for international travelers to the US were announced by President Biden as part of a comprehensive strategy to fight COVID-19. Beginning on December 6, all air passengers, regardless of vaccination status, must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel to the United States. For detailed information please visit the...

Suspension of travel from Southern Africa

November 29, 2021

On November 26, 2021, President Biden signed a new proclamation suspending indefinitely the entry into the U.S. as nonimmigrants of noncitizens who pose a risk of transmitting the coronavirus disease. Except for immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent...

Presidential Proclamation - New Vaccine Requirements for Global Air Travel

October 26, 2021

On Monday October 25, 2021 President Biden signed a Proclamation - Advancing Safe Resumption of Global Travel announcing new requirements for air travel that will take effect on November 8, 2021. This proclamation will end the travel restrictions under Presidential Proclamations (P.P.) 9984, 9992, 10143, and 10199 as they relate to the suspension of entry into the United States of persons physically present in...

COVID-19 Travel Ban & Vaccination Requirement Updates

October 19, 2021

The White House recently announced plans that travelers (including international students and scholars) will soon be able to enter the United States on the condition that they are fully vaccinated. This would mark a transition away from the travel restrictions that apply to those who had been physically present in China, Iran, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the 26 Schengen Zone countries, Brazil,...

Update: Dept. of State Expansion of Visa Interview Waivers for F/J Applicants

September 15, 2021

As of Sept. 14, 2021 the U.S Department of State has announced a continuing expansion of waivers for in-person visa interviews for F and J visa applicants through the end of 2021. The announcement indicates: "Consular officers may, if they so choose, and pursuant to local conditions, now waive the visa interview requirement for F, M, and academic J visa applicants who were previously issued any type of visa, and who have never...

USCIS Processing Flexibilities for OPT/STEM OPT Applications

July 30, 2021

USCIS announced on 7/29/2021 and 2/26/2021 flexibilities for OPT/STEM OPT Extension applicants affected by delayed receipt notices for the Form I-765. These flexibilities apply only to applications received on or after October 1, 2020, through October 31, 2021. See more information on our...

Suspension of travel from India

April 30, 2021

On April 30, 2021, President Biden signed a new proclamation suspending indefinitely the entry into the U.S. as nonimmigrants of noncitizens who pose a risk of transmitting the coronavirus disease. Except for immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and...