June 30, 2017

The Department of State (DOS) has posted an announcement summarizing instructions to the consular officers on the implementation of the limited travel ban (for citizens, “nationals” of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen). Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement and FAQ on June 29th. Implementation of this began on June 29.

The DOS announcement confirms that admitted students and scholars applying for F or J visas and employees applying for H-1B, O-1, TN, etc. visas should not be subject to the travel ban, even if they are citizens or nationals of one of the six designated countries. Accompanying dependents (F-2, J-2, H-4, etc.) of these admitted students, scholars, and employees should not be subject to the travel ban.

The announcement also lists a number of other reasons why the travel ban may not apply to some visa applicants from the affected countries. For example, it states that visa applicants with “close familial relationships” to someone in the United States should also be exempt from the travel ban. It defines close family as parent (including parent-in-law), spouse, fiancé, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sibling, whether whole or half, and including step relationships.”

We will continue to monitor reports and cables as they arise and post updates to the International Center website as appropriate.