View complete DOS list of exceptions here
More news about the impact of Covid-19 on immigration: https://www.jackson-hertogs.com/employer-resources/covid-19-immigration-impacts/
On July 16, 2020, the Department of State announced on its website that it may consider the following situations to fall under the “national interest” exceptions to the Presidential Proclamation against certain immigrant admissions (4/22) and the Presidential Proclamation against certain nonimmigrant admissions (6/22):
- Humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security;
- Applicants aging out of their current immigrant visa classification;
- H and J applicants traveling to work in support of a critical U.S. foreign policy objective (such as COVID-19 response) and/or traveling at the request of the US government, and
- Spouses and children of H, J, and L visa holders who are already excepted from, or not subject to the Presidential Proclamation against certain nonimmigrant admissions. This includes derivative applicants when the principal is currently in the United States or has a valid visa.
As reported on our news page earlier this week, U.S. embassies have started to phase in consular operations on a “post by post” basis. Even as consular posts resume operations, delayed processing can be expected due to backlogs and the need for consular officers to determine whether applications fall under a “national interest” exception.
