A National Interest Exception is an application submitted to the US Consulate, requesting an exception from one of the current Presidential Proclamations limiting travel to the United States. Presidential Proclamation 10143 is the current proclamation that prohibits the entry of Immigrants and Non-Immigrants to United States from Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
The approved application permits travelers to enter the US within the 12 months after approval. National Interest Exceptions can be used for ESTA and US visa holders.
Who can apply for NIE?
Travelers who are seeking to provide vital support or executive direction for critical infrastructure; those traveling to provide vital support or executive direction for significant economic activity in the United States; journalists; students and certain academics covered by exchange visitor programs; immigrants; and fiancés may qualify for a National Interest Exception (NIE).
Students with valid F-1 or M-1 visas traveling to begin or continue an academic program do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual NIE to travel. They may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the start of their academic studies. NIE eligibility for students who have been present in Brazil, China, India, Iran, or South Africa applies only to programs that begin on or after August 1, 2021. Students seeking to apply for new F-1 or M-1 visas should check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate; those applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for an NIE to travel.
The Department of State also grant NIE’s for qualified travelers seeking to enter the United States for purposes related to humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security.
How to apply for NIE from India?
Visa holders with definite plans to travel from India to the United States who can demonstrate qualification for a National Interest Exception (NIE) may contact the consulate that issued their visa by email to the following addresses to request a NIE prior to travel:
· U.S. Embassy New Delhi: [email protected]
· U.S. Consulate General Chennai: [email protected]
· U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad: [email protected]
· U.S. Consulate General Kolkata: [email protected]
· U.S. Consulate General Mumbai: [email protected]
NIE’s can only be issued to people with current valid visas. If you need a new visa, please visit here: https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/.
The email must include the following information in the template provided below for all travelers seeking an NIE (please include templates in the body of the email):
| Last name: | |
| First name: | |
| Date of birth: | |
| Place of birth: | |
| Gender on passport: | |
| Country of citizenship: | |
| Current passport number: | |
| Passport number with issued visa: | |
| Visa category (H1B, H4, B1/B2, L1, L2, etc.): | |
| Visa expiration date: | |
| Consulate/Embassy that issued the visa: | |
| Current location, city and country: | |
| Have you applied for an NIE since May 1, 2021? (yes or no): | |
| Travel purpose and national interest category, including a clear justification for receipt of an NIE: (for H1, L1, and O1 visa holders, please be sure to include your job title, employer, and end client, where applicable) |
By, Mathews Theruvapuzha, Senior HR Manager – Global Immigration, RapidValue Solutions
