Proclamation 10329

Effective 31 December 2021, the U.S. Government rescinded the COVID-19 travel restrictions enacted by Proclamation 10315. For additional information, see the federal register notice.

Proclamation 10315 (RESCINDED)

UPDATE: The U.S. Government enacted Proclamation 10315, which became effective on 29 November 2021. Proclamation 10315 restricts travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The Proclamation applies to foreign nationals physically present in these nations 14 days before attempting to enter the U.S. Proclamation 10315 does not rescind Proclamation 10294’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. For greater detail about Proclamation 10315, review the federal register notice.

Proclamation 10294

UPDATE: Effective on 8 November 2021, the U.S. Government rescinded Proclamation 10143 discussed below. Beginning 8 November 2021, the COVID-19 vaccination requirements in Proclamation 10294 will apply. For substantial detail about the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and exemptions, please see the federal register notice.

Proclamation 10143 (RESCINDED)

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House issued a proclamation impacting foreign nationals’ travel to the U.S. The proclamation affects visa beneficiaries traveling from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom (excluding overseas territories outside Europe), Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa. The Covid-19 travel restrictions apply to visa beneficiaries, who are physically present for 14 days in these nations before traveling to the U.S. See Proclamation 10143 § 1, 86 Fed. Reg. 7467 (Jan. 28, 2021). Despite the restrictions, Customs and Border Protection may admit the following noncitizen categories into the United States:

• U.S. permanent residents,
• U.S. noncitizen nationals,
• a U.S. citizen or permanent resident’s spouse,
• a noncitizen parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (U.S. citizen or permanent resident is unmarried and under age 21),
• a U.S. citizen or permanent resident’s sibling if both are unmarried and under age 21,
• a U.S. citizen or permanent resident’s child, foster child, ward, or prospective adoptee (IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications),
• a foreign national invited by the U.S. Government to assist in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic,
• C-1, C-1/D, or D visa beneficiaries or noncitizen air or sea crew,
• A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, E-1, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-4, and NATO-6 visa beneficiaries,
• foreign nationals arriving pursuant to the United Nations Headquarters Agreement section 11,
• noncitizens serving in the U.S. Armed Forces including her or his spouse or child,
• foreign nationals furthering law enforcement objectives as determined by the U.S. State Department or the Department of Homeland Security based upon a recommendation from the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, or
• a foreign national benefiting the national interest as determined by the U.S. State Department or the Department of Homeland Security.   

This Proclamation does not prohibit foreign nationals from requesting asylum, withholding of removal, or eligibility for Convention Against Torture relief. The U.S. Government placed sharp teeth in this Proclamation for those who bravely violate its Covid-19 travel restrictions. For example, the Proclamation directs the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize removal proceedings against foreign nationals, who misrepresent their status when seeking admission into America. Until the U.S. Government amends or revokes Proclamation 10143, foreign nationals should exercise caution before scheduling international travel to the U.S. if she or he does not fall within the exceptions listed above.