US opens to Chinese students and academics in easing of Covid-19 travel bans

Students with valid visas can enter US 30 days before start of new school year, State Department says

Others covered by exchange programmes can qualify for ‘national interest exception’

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The US is allowing Chinese students with valid visas to enter the United States before the start of the new academic year. Photo: AP

Published: 6:00am, 28 Apr 2021Updated: 10:16am, 28 Apr 2021

The United States has announced an easing in some coronavirus-related travel bans, allowing entry of students, academics and journalists from various countries, including China.

Journalists, students and academics covered by exchange visitor programmes and travellers from Brazil, Britain, China, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area and South Africa who “provide vital support for critical infrastructure” may now qualify for a “national interest exception”, which would allow entry to the US.

The US Department of State said students with valid visas could enter the United States 30 days before school started in August and did not need an individual national interest exception to travel.

The announcement comes more than a year after the US suspended entry for people who were in mainland China 14 days before arrival. US citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members arriving from Hubei province – the initial epicentre of the pandemic – also had to be quarantined for 14 days, while those travelling from other parts of China were subject to “proactive entry screening” and self-quarantine.

In the announcement on Monday, the State Department said it “continues to grant NIEs for qualified travellers seeking to enter the United States for purposes related to humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security”.

Students wanting to apply for new visas should check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate, the statement added.

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US opens to Chinese students and academics in easing of Covid-19 travel bans

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Students with valid visas can enter US 30 days before start of new school year, State Department says Others covered by exchange programmes can qualify for ‘national interest exception’

Students with valid visas can enter US 30 days before start of new school year, State Department says

Others covered by exchange programmes can qualify for ‘national interest exception’