The US Embassy on Tuesday clarified that student visa holders would be able to enter the United States if their classes start on or after August 1, 2021. Furthermore, the embassy stated that they are unable to approve exceptions for F visa holders with the program start date before August 1, 2021.
This clarification from the US Embassy in India came after American President Joe Biden had signed a proclamation suspending the entry of certain non-immigrant travellers who have been physically present in India. This proclamation came into effect on Tuesday (May 4) at 9:30 IST.
If your start date is before August 1, we urge you to contact your respective educational institutions to discuss options. More information here: https://t.co/Vki6UFd836
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) May 4, 2021Advertisement
However, Immigrants, US citizens, and lawful permanent residents (LPR) are not subject to the proclamation. Some other exceptions include foreign diplomats travelling to the US on some visa classes, and certain family members of US citizens or lawful permanent residents including spouses, minor children, parents (provided that his/her US citizen or lawful permanent resident child is unmarried and under the age of 21), and siblings (provided that both the sibling and the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident are unmarried and under the age of 21).
“Under the current Presidential Proclamation, student visa holders are able to enter the United States if their classes start on or after August 1, 2021. We are unfortunately unable to approve exceptions for F visa holders with a program start date before August 1, 2021. If your start date is before August 1, we urge you to contact your respective educational institutions to discuss options”, the US Embassy tweeted.
The website of the US department of state also said that there is also an exception for air and sea crew travelling to the United States on C, D, or C1/D visas.
“Students subject to these geographic Covid proclamations due to their presence in India, China, Iran, Brazil, or South Africa, may qualify for a National Interest Exception only if their academic program begins August 1, 2021, or later”, for students covered by exchange visitor programs.
