Visas and Travel for Students from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland

The Department of State announced on July 22, 2020 that F-1 and J-1 students from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland can now travel to the U.S. even though Presidential Proclamations 9993 (Schengen Area) and 9996 (United Kingdom and Ireland) restricting entry remain in effect. Students from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland who need to apply for an F-1 visa can follow the normal visa application process. Students from those areas who are applying for a J-1 visa should contact the nearest embassy or consulate to initiate a national interest exception (NIE) request.

Customs and Border Protection (part of the Department of Homeland Security), makes the final determination of whether a person can be admitted to the United States. On July 24th, Customs and Border Protection released a statement that confirms that F-1 students will be allowed to travel to the U.S. based on a national interest exception, despite the aforementioned proclamations. J-1 students with the NIE annotated on their visas will also be allowed to travel to the U.S.

Review the information from CBP carefully since you may be required to fly into one of 15 specifically designated airports. Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is one of the designated airports.

The International Center will provide updated information as it becomes available. As always, the IC continues to value and support international students and scholars, to work with all areas of the university community to advance international education, and to advocate for immigration policies that best serve international students and scholars.

 

Last updated: Friday, 8/7/2020, at 10:23AM.