Visa Blog Entries

Business or Employment Related Travel to the USA During Ban - National Interest Exception NIE

The travel bans necessitated by the COVID pandemic have created much flux and uncertainty. Synthesizing the information now finally available from various US government sources, it is clearer now that many intending travelers can seek and obtain an exemption from the ban under a series of provisions for a National Interest Exception (NIE).

 

Do you Qualify for an NIE?

 

You should be able to apply for an NIE to overcome the ban on travel to the USA if you meet any one or more of the following categories:
 

Request Number in the visa appointment site -- Explanation from State Department

Q: When using the new visa appointment site, what should my client list in the mandatory field that asks for the "Request Number"?

A: When a visa applicant sets up a user account in the appointment system, an 8-digit identifying number is assigned to the applicant. When logged into the appointment system, this "Request Number" appears in white against a red background in the upper right hand corner of the screen in parentheses after the applicant's e-mail address: