Updates on Travels Restrictions and Visa Delays Caused by the Coronavirus

On top of travel restrictions of travelers from China starting on February 2, 2020, U.S. Consulates are also delaying visa issues to foreign nationals from other countries if they have visited or traveled to China within 14 days. U.S. Consulates in other countries are also postponing visa interviews for foreign nationals who have visited China until after 14 days have passed since travelling to China.

Since February 2, 2020, the U.S. have banned direct travel from China for all travelers including those holding valid visas except for the foreign nationals listed below:

• Lawful permanent residents;
• The spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident;
• The parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, if the U.S. citizen or permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21;
• The sibling of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21;
• The child, foster child, or ward of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications;
• A foreign national traveling at the invitation of the U.S. government for a purpose related to containment or mitigation of the virus;
• Nonimmigrant crewmembers;
• Foreign nationals seeking entry or transiting the United States under an A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-4 or NATO-6 visa;
• A foreign national whose entry would not pose a significant risk of transmitting the virus, as determined by the Centers for Disease Control; and
• A foreign national whose entry would further important U.S. law enforcement interests or would be in the U.S. national interest.

The foreign nationals listed above who are travelling directly from China are currently being directed to one of the 11 designated airports in the U.S. The airports include:

• Washington Dulles
• Newark Liberty
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Detroit Metropolitan
• John F. Kennedy Airport
• Chicago O’Hare
• San Francisco Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma
• Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Hawaii
• LAX
• Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Once arriving at one of the above airports, the exempt traveler will be subject to mandatory quarantines according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recent restrictions. There is a mandatory quarantine of up to 14 days on travelers who have visited China’s Hubei province within 14 days of their attempted entry. Travelers who visited other parts of mainland China within the previous 14 days will undergo advanced health screening at the airport, as well as a monitored self-quarantine of up to 14 days.

We have provided a number of links with key immigration information related to the Corona Virus.

• Top 10 Covid-19 Immigration Questions
• Implications of Layoffs for employers who have employees on H-1B and/or E-3 Visas
• USCIS announces flexibility for request for evidence (RFE) and Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
• Information on Consular closures during Covid-19
• USCIS issues guidance on Remote 1-9 verification during Covid-19
• USCIS office closures due to Covid-19
• Can I apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits while on a Visa?
• Canada/U.S. Border Closures
• USCIS announces temporary suspension of premium processing
• What can you do if your ESTA is running out? 
• Travel Ban for Europe
• Stimulus Bill (All 800 pages)
• Information on Small Business Loans related to the Stimulus package
• USCIS to accept scanned/reproduced signatures instead of “wet” signatures on immigration petitions and forms
• Implications of furlough or termination if you are on a TN visa
• Does the Stimulus Bill impact my immigration status? Is there a public charge concern?
• Understanding the Stimulus Package for Small Businesses and the Paycheck Protection Program
• Small Business Administration COVID-19 Loans