Entry To the United States With "National Interest Exceptions”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a large-scale entry ban has been in place in the United States for many months. In the meantime, U.S. authorities have decided on exceptions - National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) - that allow entry into the U.S. for reasons of national interest.

In order to allow certain travelers from travel ban regions (Schengen area, Brazil, China, Great Britain, India, Iran, Ireland, Northern Ireland, South Africa) to enter the United States during the Corona period, the U.S. authorities have introduced exceptions. For those who are really affected by the travel restrictions, entry into the United States is made possible in urgent and important exceptional cases.

These national interest exceptions are made solely on the basis of U.S. national interests. In order to be exempted from the U.S. entry ban and to receive a so-called NIE waiver, NIE applicants must prove and justify that their physical presence in the U.S. is required and that entry into the U.S. is a matter of national interest.

• VITAL SUPPORT OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTION FOR U.S. CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE" CRITERIA

  The regulation for individuals who make a significant contribution or provide absolutely necessary support to one of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors or associated supply chains has been explicitly expanded to include executives: "vital support or executive leadership for U.S. critical infrastructure or the supply chain directly related to critical infrastructure sectors".

VITAL SUPPORT OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTION FOR A SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY" CRITERION

Travelers who support or direct significant economic activity in the United States may also apply for an EIN with immediate effect, but only under the following conditions:

• Travel in support of a major entertainment production conducted in the United States that would not occur or continue without the traveler.

• Travel of specialized or expert personnel for the installation, commissioning, maintenance, servicing or essential training of vessels, machinery or other critical equipment required by U.S. and foreign companies as part of a substantial investment in the United States.

• Travel by senior managers and executives who provide strategy and direction to U.S. and foreign companies with substantial investment in the United States.