Beginning Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the United States may well restrict travel from India due to the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 cases in India. If you have employees or family members who have recently traveled to India, the following actions can be taken:
- If an individual has a valid U.S. visa, they should plan to return to the United States before May 4, 2021. As a reminder, all air passengers two years of age and over who are entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) must present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three (3) calendar days of departure, or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. Individuals should also contact their airline for specific boarding requirements.
- If an individual does not have a valid visa to re-enter the United States, they should try to schedule or re-schedule a visa appointment right away. As of today, visa appointments through May 13, 2021, have been cancelled by U.S. consulates in India. If a desired visa appointment date is not available, applicants should continue to check the system regularly to schedule the first available date. As the situation is changing and consular appointments are limited, individuals should plan to remain in India for an undefined period of time.
Applicants should not appear at the document drop-off locations, as they will be turned away if the appointment has been cancelled.
If emergency travel to the United States is required and an individual does not have a valid visa, some consulates may be accepting emergency appointments on a limited basis.