Biden Administration Action: Approved/Retained

Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Non-Immigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease

This Biden administration policy--Proclamation 10143--substantially reinstates and expands a Trump-era policy that the Trump Administration lifted just prior to leaving office.

On January 25, 2021, the Biden administration announced that it will reinstate travel restrictions for non-U.S. citizens traveling from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brazil, and added South Africa to the list of restricted countries. President Biden also issued an executive order directing international travelers to the U.S. to comply with CDC recommendations upon arrival.

Biden Administration Action: Modified

DOS Notice on National Interest Exception for H2 Travelers

This Biden administration policy modifies the administration's reinstatement of an earlier Trump-era policy.

The Department of State issued a notice on Jan. 28, 2021, clarifying that H-2A and certain H-2B travelers from South Africa may qualify for a national interest exception that will exempt them from the travel ban. DOS intends to continue processing "H-2 applications for individuals who provide temporary labor or services essential to the United States food supply chain, as permitted by post resources and local government restrictions."

Biden Administration Action: Modified

National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland

This Biden administration policy modifies the administration's reinstatement of an earlier Trump-era policy.

On Feb. 10, 2021, the State Department reinstated the national interest exceptions for students and certain other travelers from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland.

Biden Administration Action: Modified

2021.05.27 National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from China, Iran, India, Brazil, South Africa, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland

This Biden administration policy modifies the administration's reinstatement of an earlier Trump-era policy.

On May 27, 2021, the State Department expanded eligibility for National Interest Exceptions (NIEs). The following groups may now qualify for NIEs: "travelers. . . seeking to provide vital support or executive direction for critical infrastructure; those traveling to provide vital support or executive direction for significant economic activity in the United States; journalists; students and certain academics covered by exchange visitor programs; immigrants; and fiancés. . ."

Biden Administration Action: Under Study

2021.09.20 Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official Previewing the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

This Biden administration policy considers the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

On September 20, 2021, in a teleconference background press call previewing the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, a senior administration official explained that the 212(f) travel restrictions are under study to potentially be rolled back in early November for the E.U. and the U.K.

"Today, the President announced that, beginning in early November, the United States will be putting in place strict protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from passengers flying internationally into the United States by requiring that adult foreign nationals traveling here be fully vaccinated. 

Critically for our European partners and for the UK, this policy means that we will no longer be implementing the current 212(f) travel policies for individual countries as of early November.  We’ll be moving to a consistent requirement for all international air travelers coming to the United States. 

But we’re very proud of the fact that we’ve been able to develop a protocol that will permit travel by individuals and families and business people from the E.U. and the UK, as well as from Brazil and India and other countries, to the United States with proof of vaccination."

Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced

Proclamation 10294 Advancing Safe Resumption of Global Travel During COVID19

On October 25, 2021, President Biden issued a Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic, which revoked Proclamation 10143, issued by President Biden on January 25, 2021, including from the country-by-country restrictions previously applied (including on individuals who recently were present within the Schengen Area) and adopts an air travel policy that relies primarily on vaccination to advance the safe resumption of international air travel to the United States.