My Account Career Portal Forms Portal Learning Portal Mobility Magazine
Cart Cart

US Secretary of State Rescinds National Interest Exceptions for Schengen Area, UK, and Ireland

Eric House - Mar 04 2021
Published in: Public Policy
| Updated Apr 27 2023
On 2 March, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken rescinded the previous national interest determination regarding categories of travelers from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland who are eligible for National Interest Exceptions (NIE).

On 2 March, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken rescinded the previous national interest determination regarding categories of travelers from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland who are eligible for National Interest Exceptions (NIE).

While President Joe Biden revoked the immigrant ban of 22 April, 2020, he did not rescind the 14-day travel restrictions for those traveling to the U.S. under certain categories from the Schengen Area, U.K., and Ireland. Under that guidance, there were exceptions for technical experts, specialists, senior-level managers and executives, treaty-traders and investors, and more. As of 2 March, the national interest exceptions for these professionals from the Schengen Area, U.K. and Ireland have been rescinded.

In their place, Secretary Blinken made a new national interest determination covering certain travelers seeking to provide critical infrastructure support from the Schengen Area, U.K., and Ireland, including for public health support, humanitarian purposes, and national security support. However, those who currently have an NIE will remain valid and will not be revoked due to the new policy.

How This Impacts Mobility

As the U.S. continues to work to rebound the economy, the movement of the workforce is vital. Secretary Blinken’s rescission of exceptions for high-level professionals including senior-level managers and executives, technical experts, specialists and more is one step backward in ensuring the economy gets back on its feet. Should any member have questions regarding this development, please reach out to our Vice President of Member Engagement and Public Policy Rebecca Peters, rpeters@worldwideerc.org.