1/26/2021 update: All air passengers two years of age or older arriving to the United States must now provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding. All international travelers must also get tested 3-5 days after travel AND self-quarantine for 7 days after travel. This order applies to both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens. For more information, see section below titled “Testing and Quarantine Requirements.”
The following are public health travel restrictions based on the origin of travel, not nationality of the traveler. Students and scholars with valid, multiple-entry visas, regardless of country of citizenship, may still be able to travel internationally, though as with any international travel, we recommend consulting with OIS prior to departure. F and J visa holders are restricted from entering the U.S. if they have traveled from or through Brazil, China, Iran, or South Africa in the past 14 days. For those traveling from or through the European Schengen Area, the UK or Ireland, please see updates below about an exception. Details on each of the travel restrictions follows:
On February 24th the U.S. Department of State updated their website on the phased resumption of routine visa services with new details on plans going forward. Since plans are made “on a post-by-post basis,” please contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for updates on their services. An unexpired visa is always required to enter the U.S. as an F or J nonimmigrant with the exception of citizens of Canada or Bermuda, and circumstances where automatic visa revalidation applies.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented new COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine requirements for all passengers entering the U.S. ages two and older. This applies to all foreign nationals and U.S. citizens.
Effective January 26, 2021, all international travelers will need to get tested no more than 3 days prior to travel by air into the United States and show negative results to the airline before boarding your flight, or in lieu of a negative test result provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the form of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or public health official that you were cleared to travel. In addition, all arriving international travelers must get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home to self-quarantine for 7 days after travel.
IMPORTANT: Even if you test negative, you must self-quarantine for the full 7 days. If you test positive, you should isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. If you are unable to get tested upon entry, travelers are advised to self-quarantine for 10 full days after travel. In all circumstances, travelers are advised to avoid being around other people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days.
A helpful FAQ has also been provided by the CDC, in addition to guidance issued by the U.S. Department of State. OIS is unable to provide additional guidance regarding testing outside of the U.S. or requirements for boarding other than what is mentioned here.
Regarding testing after entry and self-quarantine requirements: NC State has implemented a COVID-19 testing protocol for the Spring 2021 semester. Students and scholars returning from international travel may obtain their free COVID-19 test on-campus, but should avoid all other campus activities while in the self-quarantine period. All students and scholars are reminded of the COVID-19 community standards that require compliance with all directions given by university officials and public health authorities.
On January 25, 2021 President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation adding South Africa to the list of countries travel through which subjects individuals to a 14-day COVID-19 travel ban, effective January 30, 2021. Entry into the United States of noncitizens who were physically present within the Republic of South Africa during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the U.S. is hereby suspended.
On January 31, 2020, former President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation to suspend entry for certain individuals traveling to the United States from China. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued supplemental instructions for impacted travelers, which can be accessed here. This restriction applies to nonimmigrant visa holders (for example, F, J, H-1B, and B) who were physically present in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) during the 14-day period preceding entry.
President Biden issued a Proclamation of January 25, 2021 clarifying that this restriction “shall remain in effect until terminated by the President” (Biden).
A Presidential Proclamation and amendment on May 24 and 25, 2020 has suspended entry for certain travelers to the U.S. from the Federative Republic of Brazil. This restriction is effective at 11:59 pm on May 26, 2020, and applies to nonimmigrant visa holders who were physically present in Brazil during the 14-day period preceding travel to the U.S.
President Biden issued a Proclamation of January 25, 2021 clarifying that this restriction “shall remain in effect until terminated by the President” (Biden).
UPDATE: On July 16, 2020, the U.S. Department of State published an exception to this Schengen Area travel restriction for students and academics. Please note that J-1 students and scholars need to apply for and receive a waiver of this ban before traveling. Please contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to initiate an exception request. The exception is automatic for F-1 students, but we do recommend that you print the webpage detailing the national interest exceptions and carry it with you for travel.
On March 11, 2020, former President Trump announced a new Presidential Proclamation suspending entry for nonimmigrant visa holders traveling to the U.S. from countries in the European Schengen Area. This restriction applies to nonimmigrant visa holders (for example, F, J, H-1B and B) who were physically present in the Schengen Area during the 14-day period preceding travel to the U.S. Note: the European Schengen area includes: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
President Biden issued a Proclamation of January 25, 2021 clarifying that this restriction (and the national interest waiver exemption) “shall remain in effect until terminated by the President” (Biden).
On February 29, 2020, an additional Presidential Proclamation suspended entry for nonimmigrant visa holders traveling to the U.S. from Iran due to the spread of the novel Coronavirus. This restriction applies to nonimmigrant visa holders (for example, F, J, H-1B, and B) who were physically present in Iran during the 14-day period preceding travel to the U.S.
President Biden issued a Proclamation of January 25, 2021 clarifying that this restriction “shall remain in effect until terminated by the President” (Biden).
UPDATE: On July 16, 2020, the U.S. Department of State published an exception to this UK and Ireland travel restriction for students and academics. Please note that J-1 students and scholars need to apply for and receive a waiver of this ban before traveling. Please contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to initiate an exception request. The exception is automatic for F-1 students, but we do recommend that you print the webpage detailing the national interest exceptions and carry it with you for travel.
A March 14, 2020, Presidential Proclamation has suspended entry for nonimmigrant visa holders traveling to the U.S. from Ireland and the United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland), excluding overseas territories outside of Europe. This restriction applies to nonimmigrant visa holders who were physically present in the UK or Ireland during the 14-day period preceding travel to the U.S.
President Biden issued a Proclamation of January 25, 2021 clarifying that this restriction (and the national interest waiver exemption) “shall remain in effect until terminated by the President” (Biden).
Homeland Security published Federal Register notices on March 24 temporarily limiting travel from Canada and Mexico to the US through land ports of entry to “essential travel.” According to these notices, essential travel does include travel to attend educational institutions and travel to work in the U.S. This restriction has subsequently been extended “until the CDC Director determines that the danger of further introduction of COVID-19 into the United States from covered aliens has ceased to be a serious danger to the public health.”