Immigrant visa applications have been severely impacted since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular visa services are being restored at U.S. embassies and consulates, one by one, as the situation warrants.
Additionally, they must contend with constraints imposed by local conditions and restrictions, such as regional and national lockdowns, travel restrictions, quarantine regulations in the host country, and measures taken by embassies and consulates to contain the outbreak.
From January 31, 2020, through November 7, 2021, the U.S. government took increasingly stringent measures to prevent Coronavirus spreading and protect American employment.
As a result, there are no longer any restrictions on travel to the United States as of November 8, 2021, when the country eased its entry requirements for COVID-19 and sanitary guidelines. Visitors, visa applicants, and holders of visas are all affected by the current immigration policies in the United States.
U.S.-bound flights are subject to strict regulations.
- COVID-19-tested and fully vaccinated travelers will only be allowed into the United States beginning November 8, 2021. It doesn’t matter whether you want to enter the United States on a visa or through the Visa Waiver Program; if you have a legitimate COVID-19 vaccination document as well as negative COVID-19 lab results, you will be eligible for travel relief.”
- There are no longer any restrictions on visitors from the countries that were previously subject to the Travel Ban (Brazil, China; India; Iran; Ireland; the Schengen Area; South Africa; and the United Kingdom) who have a valid visa or ESTA to travel to the United States.
- S. visa applications for all categories have been gradually resumed by the U.S. consulates and embassy staff in the countries affected by the Trump administration’s Travel Ban, depending on capacity.
Restrictions on land-based entry
- Foreign nationals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for non-essential purposes will be able to enter the United States via Mexico or Canada on November 8, 2021. At this time, the only outliers are children under 18, United States citizens, and Green Card holders.
- Upon crossing the border, it is necessary to show proof of official vaccination status following CDC standards and verbal verification of the purpose for travel and the accuracy of the data provided.
- Even if a foreign national is unvaccinated, they can still enter the United States by land during a transitional period until January 2022. However, starting in early 2022, this regulation will be abolished entirely. Regardless of the reason for entry, access into the United States would then be uniformly permitted only for fully COVID-19 vaccinated foreign citizens who travel to the United States via land transportation system.
- Currently, there are no specific requirements for testing and quarantine for land entry.
Certificate showing complete vaccination against COVID-19 virus
Before departure, the only way to demonstrate proof of a complete COVID-19 vaccination is to check-in at the airport or use the airline’s app. Consequently, airlines are in charge of validating vaccination records for their passengers.
This list of acceptable proofs of vaccinations (Verifiable Vaccination Credentials) has been published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Digital vaccination certificates with Q.R. codes are the preferred and standard form of proof.
However, other paper documents can also provide proof, such as an authorized vaccination card or certificate (e.g., the yellow vaccination certificate, the CDC vaccination certificate, or another similar document).
Proof of vaccination (whether digital or paper) must be issued by an official source/authority in all cases. This proof of vaccination (whether digital or paper) must include the traveler(s)’ name and date of birth, and also the vaccine product and date of administration for each dose received by the traveler(s).
To sum it up
You are permitted to travel to the United States as the spouse of a green card holder, as this category is exempt from the travel ban. The B-2 visa holders traveling directly from India to the United States are currently prohibited from entering the country because of the President’s travel ban.
Travel bans from India to the United States have been lifted for fully vaccinated foreign nationals as of November 8, 2021. More details are expected to be provided shortly.
