Updates Impacting Travel from India, China & Russia

While the ongoing pandemic is surging in some areas and slowing down in others, international travel conditions are constantly changing. The Office of International Education (OIE) is closely monitoring travel advisories and will communicate updates to CMU students, families and scholars as information becomes available. The U.S. government made the following announcements Friday, April 30:

India

In recent days, the CMU community has learned more about the devastating situation in India where a second surge of COVID-19 is quickly unfolding. We echo President Farnam Jahanian’s April 29 message to the campus community, and our hearts go out to the people of India and impacted CMU community members. Due to the surge, the White House announced the suspension of entry for travelers from India. Effective May 4, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. (eastern daylight time), the U.S. will restrict and suspend entry to the U.S. for nonimmigrants who were physically present in India during the 14-day period preceding their entry to the U.S. It is important to note the following:

• Based on the U.S. State Department’s guidance, students intending to begin or continue an academic program in the U.S. on or after August 1 will be able to enter or return to the U.S. up to 30 days prior to their program start date with a National Interest Exception (NIE).
  • With an August 30 program start date, students from India should be able to enter the U.S. as early as July 31, 2021.
  • The State Department has also provided updated guidance stating that certain scholars may qualify for an NIE, as has been applied to other countries with COVID-related travel suspensions. As scholars must request the NIE from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, this may be difficult while Consular operations are reduced due to the pandemic.
  • It is unclear how the NIE may apply to individuals on Optional Practical Training (OPT). OIE is seeking clarification on this issue.

• The travel restriction does not apply to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

China

EducationUSA, a component of the U.S. State Department, announced that Chinese students may now apply for visas to the U.S. Students are encouraged to check the nearest Embassy/Consulate for details.

Russia

The U.S. Embassy in Russia has announced that it will significantly reduce Consular Services, and no longer provide non-immigrant visa processing, effective May 12, 2021. The service reduction appears to be related to a Russian government decision to prohibit foreign national employment at the U.S. Embassy. Therefore, effective May 12, students and scholars from Russia will need to apply for visas in a third country.

It is important to note that students and scholars may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa sticker, provided that their visa document (I-20, DS-2019, I-797 approval notice) and I-94 are valid. The visa must be valid to enter/re-enter the U.S. Travelers to Russia who will need to apply for a visa should plan their trips carefully to account for this additional challenge in the process.

As always, OIE staff are happy to assist students and scholars who have questions or concerns about these changes. We encourage CMU’s international community to stay tuned to our website for more updates on travel advisories and immigration-related guidance.