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ARTICLE · 09 JULY 2021

Department Of State Extends Validity Of National Interest Exceptions

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

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In news welcome to both travelers and U.S. consular officers alike, the Department of State (DOS) announced yesterday that it would extend the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIEs).

GlobalImmigration
Ann Kalodis
Ann Kalodis
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In news welcome to both travelers and U.S. consular officers alike, the Department of State (DOS) announced yesterday that it would extend the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIEs). By way of background, as detailed in several of our earlier client alerts, people who were in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Schengen territories, India, China, Brazil, South Africa and Iran during the 14 days prior to seeking to travel to the United States are barred from entry unless they were granted an NIE or qualified for an exemption. U.S. embassies and consulates were tasked with determining whether applicants' proposed trips to the U.S. met the standard of being in the national interest. DOS guidance allows consulates to issue NIEs to those traveling to provide vital support or executive direction to critical infrastructure; those traveling to provide vital support or executive direction for significant economic activity in the United States; journalists; travel due to

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