Exemptions to US Immigration Entry Bans

The past few months have been conspicuous for the United States in that, there have been more entry and exit bans announced than anything else. Some of this was triggered by the Coronavirus pandemic while most of others was a governmental decision by the United States of America to restrict over all immigration into the country.

On April 22, 2020 President Trump signed an executive order restricting entry of new green card applicants. 

By June 24, 2020, he signed another proclamation restricting entry of H, L, J visa holders and their dependents who were outside of the US as of the date of the proclamation going into effect.

Related Article: 5 Alternatives For Those Impacted By The H1-B Entry Ban

On July 6, 2020, he announced some international students on F1 visas to deport by August in case they had to take online classes in Fall due to the pandemic.

Covid Travel

All these bans are effective until December 31, 2020… for now… until it is revised and extended.

With shelter in place for most parts of the world and the US, several US consulates and USCIS offices still closed for in-person, non-emergent appointments and Covid related travel restrictions still in place, all these entry bans is going to impact about several thousand foreign workers, their family members and international students both inand outside the US.

Related Article: Europe Bans US Visitors

Exemptions To The US Immigration Bans

So, who can enter the US from now until December 31, 2020?

Exemptions To The New Green Card Applicant Entry Ban

While the executive order banned new green card applicants from entering the United States, the following are exempted:

• Dependents, i.e. spouse and children (under 18 years) of US citizens;
• Healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, scientific researchers and other essential workers working towards Coronavirus;
• Anyone of US ‘national interest’ including members of the US armed forces and law enforcement and their immediate family members;
• EB-5 investors;

Related Article: Alternatives For Those Affected By US Green Card Entry Ban

Exemptions To The H1-B & L1 Entry Ban

The proclamation bans entry of non-immigrant, temporary foreign workers and their families who were outside of the US after June 34, 2020. The following non-immigrant, foreign workers can still enter the US: 

• Anyone of these non-immigrants who were in the US at the time of the proclamation – they can go out and come back in;
• Any of these work visa holders who may have any other travel documents (Advance parole, I-131, Reentry permit) other than a visa allowing them to travel to the United States;
• Those who have valid visas in the relevant classification at the time of the proclamation;

Exemptions To The J1 Entry Ban

J1 visa holders are included in the entry ban until December 31, 2020. The following J1 visa holders can still travel in and out of the US:

• J1 visa holders essential to the US food production & supply;
• J1 visa holders coming in asgovernment visitors, research scholars, and specialists;
• J1 visa holders coming into help with US economic recovery;
• J1 visa holders critical to the US armed forces, law enforcement, and national security;
• J1 visa holders involved with Covid-19’s medical care, & research.