The US government announced on April 30, 2021 that it was imposing an entry ban on foreigners from India due to the Corona crisis. Beginning on May 04, 2021, all foreign travelers who are not U.S. citizens and who have been in India within 14 days prior to their planned trip to the United States will be barred from entering the United States.
The following are exempt from the restriction:
- Spouses of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
- Parents or legal guardians of unmarried U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents under the age of 21
- Siblings of unmarried U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents under the age of 21
- S. armed forces members and their spouses and children
- Noncitizens traveling at the invitation of the United States government “for a purpose related to containment or mitigation of the virus”
- Noncitizens whose entry would be in the national interest
The new rule is in effect indefinitely.
The U.S. continues to ban entry of foreign nationals from the European Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, Brazil, South Africa and Iran. Entry from these countries is currently only possible with an NIE exemption.
With the travel ban for foreign travelers from India, President Joe Biden also extended the mask requirement on planes, trains and other public transportation until Sept. 13, 2021. The mask requirement, introduced Feb. 1, was originally scheduled to end May 11, 2021.