National Interest Exception (NIE)

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National Interest Exception

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has extensive travel restrictions in place. These restrictions ban the travel of individuals in the Schengen Zone, as well as other travelers from China, India, Iran and other countries, from entering the United States unless they receive an approved National Interest Exception (NIE) from a US Consulate.

On May 27, 2021, the Department of State updated its list of travelers eligible for exemptions from the National Interest Exception requirements under the current Presidential Proclamations. Under this new policy, the following travelers may now qualify a National Interest Exceptions:

provide vital support or executive direction for critical infrastructure;
provide vital support or executive direction for significant economic activity in the United States;
journalists;
students and certain academics covered by exchange visitor programs;
immigrants; and
fiancés

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a National Interest Exception (NIE)?

A National Interest Exception is an application submitted to the US Consulate, requesting an exception from one of the current Presidential Proclamations limiting travel to the United States. Presidential Proclamation 10143 is the current proclamation that prohibits travel from the Schengen Area to the United States.

The approved application permits travelers to enter the US once within the 30 days after approval. National Interest Exceptions can be used for ESTA and US visa holders.

How did the March27, 2021 policy change affect the adjudication of NIE applications?

This policy change has relaxed the restrictions for investors and other business travelers, making NIEs available to those who can evidence their vital support of US infrastructure OR their vital support or executive direction of significant economic activity in the United States.

Now, the US Consulates are routinely approving NIE applications for E-1 and E-2 investors, as well as start-up founders, entrepreneurs and other business travelers.

Who is eligible for a National Interest Exception?

Travelers that fall into one of the following categories under Presidential Proclamation 9993, which has suspended routine travel from the Schengen Area to the United States:

Public Health: Travel as a public health or healthcare professional or researcher to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, or to continue ongoing research in an area with substantial public health benefit (e.g. cancer or disease research).
Students: All students, and their dependents, traveling to the United States on an F or M visa to pursue a full course of study or on a J visa to participate in an exchange program as a bona fide student.
Academics: All exchange visitors and their dependents traveling to the United States on J visas in the following categories: Professors, Research Scholars, Short Term Scholars, or Specialists.
Humanitarian travelers: This includes individuals who will be traveling to the US to care for family members
Travelers who will provide vital support or executive direction to critical infrastructure: Under this new standard that was introduced on March 2, travelers must prove that their travel will support one of the 16 critical US infrastructure sectors.
Travelers who will provide vital support or executive direction for economic activity in the US: This new standard implemented on May 27, 2021 is very flexible and now allows E-1 and E-2 investors, executives, and other business travelers to qualify for NIEs

What fields are considered critical infrastructure sectors?

For NIE applications, the following infrastructure sectors have been deemed critical:

chemical
communications
dams
defense industrial base
emergency services
energy
financial services
food and agriculture
government facilities
healthcare and public health
information technology
nuclear reactors
transportation
water systems

For more information on the qualifying critical infrastructure sectors, please refer to this link: IDENTIFYING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DURING COVID-19.

How can I apply for a National Interest Exception?

The application must be submitted directly to the US consulate and must include evidence regarding your urgent travel need and qualification for the National Interest Exception. Each US consulate worldwide has different procedures, so it is important to make sure you are submitting the application according to the specific consulate's specifications.

For a consultation and more information about the application process, please click here to schedule an appointment with Adomat Immigration.

How long are National Interest Exception approvals valid for?

Thirty (30) days after approval.

How long does it take the US consulate to process a National Interest Exception application?

It depends. The US Consulates in Germany require approximately 5-10 business days to process NIEs, while other consulates - such as the US Embassy in London - have substantally longer adjudication periods.

How much does it cost to apply for a National Interest Exception?

There are no government filing fees for a National Interest Exception.

For a consultation and fee quote, please click here to schedule an appointment with Adomat Immigration.

Is it possible to apply for a National Interest Exception several times?

Yes, the majority of US consulates worldwide allow applicants to apply for multiple NIEs. However, you must apply for a National Interest Exception before each entry to the US.

Is it possible to apply for a National Interest Exception again after an application has been denied?

Yes, but you should be prepared to submit additional documentation to the Consulate to evidence the need for your travel and why it is in the national interest.

If I don't qualify for an NIE, are there any alternatives available?

If you are subject to the travel restrictions and do not qualify for a NIE, you may travel to third-country not subject to the bans (many Adomat Immigration clients travel to Mexico, the Carribean, or Turkey, for example) for 14 days and then travel into the United States.