Business travellers from Europe may resume visiting the US
if they apply successfully for a national interest exception, the US Department
of State announced. President Trump signed proclamations in March banning
visitors from the Schengen Area, covering 24 continental European countries,
plus the UK and Ireland. An update issued 22 July said the proclamations remain
in effect but business travellers, investors, academics, certain categories of
student and treaty traders may now contact their nearest US embassy or
consulate to request an exception.
The State Department said NIEs would be granted under the
business travel category to "foreign nationals travelling to the US to
provide a significant economic benefit to the US economy". These include
"senior-level managers/executives" who "provide strategic
direction necessary for the success of their company", as well as
"technical experts/specialists" travelling to "install, service,
maintain, or receive training for vessels, machinery and other specialised
equipment used by US and foreign firms with a substantial investment in the US".
Travel must be "temporary and for a defined period", according to the
State Department.
Professional athletes and essential staff are also allowed
to resume entry to the US for major sporting events. All leisure travel from
Europe remains banned.
US consulates in Europe began a phased resumption of visa
services on 20 July. The State Department warned of increased wait times for
approvals as consulates tackle substantial backlogs of applications.