India has recorded 4 Lakhs cases in the last 24 hours. The rising cases in India is a cause of concern for other countries. Hence to curb the spread of the virus, several countries have imposed a travel ban on India. And the latest one to join the list is the US. President Joe Biden has imposed new travel restrictions on India, which will come into effect from May 4, Tuesday. Here’s everything you must know about it.
US Travel Ban For Indians Will Come Into Effect From May 4
In light of the increasing coronavirus cases, the U.S has decided to place travel restrictions on India. Biden, in January, had issued a similar ban on most no-US citizens entering the country from South Africa, Brazil, China, Iran and 26 other countries. And to ensure the allowance of legitimate travel to the United States, Secretary Blinken has applied the same set of National Interest Exceptions to India that he had previously applied to all other regional travel restrictions currently in effect as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department said.
Hence, certain categories of students, academics, journalists and individuals are exempted from the India travel ban.
Certain Categories Including Students And Other Qualified Travellers Are Exempted From The Ban
According to the National Interest Exemption (NIE) students, and academics fit for an NIE only if their academic session begins August 1, 2021, or later. Also, students with valid F-1 and M-1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic programme commencing August 1 or later should enter the United States 30 days before the academic session.
And students who are seeking to apply for a new F-1 or M-1 visa should check the status at the nearest embassy or consulate. And those found qualified will automatically be considered for an NIE to travel.
Besides this, the Department of State will grant NIEs for qualified travellers seeking to enter the US for purposes related to humanitarian travel, public health response and national security.
All these restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of the Indian covid variant, which has killed thousands already.