National Interest Exception Validity Extended for 12 Months

The Department of State (DOS) announced this week that National Interest Exceptions (NIEs, or travel ban waivers) are now valid for 12 months from the date of issuance, and can be used for multiple entries, as long as the traveler is entering the US for the same purpose under which the original NIE was granted. The extended validity period will automatically apply to new NIEs as well as those that were issued within the past 12 months.

It is still unknown whether Customs & Border Protection, which also issues NIEs, will adopt the same policy. DOS also has not clarified whether NIEs that were issued for a time-specific event which has now ended will be granted the same 12-month extension. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.

Please contact us with any questions.