In two recent announcements, the Biden administration introduced policy changes to ease the visa application process and travel restrictions for international students and other visitors to the United States:
- The Biden administration announced plans to lift geographic travel ban restrictions in November for individuals who establish that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have tested negative for COVID-19 within the 3 days preceding their flight to the United States. The current restrictions, which apply to travelers who have been present in at least one of 33 countries, have been a source of recent tension between some countries and the United States. Read more in Reuters.
- Last week, the U.S. State Department announced that through the end of 2021, consular officers are authorized to waive the in-person interviews requirement for “F, M, and academic J visa applicants who were previously issued any type of visa,” as well as “first-time F, M, and academic J visa applicants who are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program.” Read the announcement.