President Trump has extended the visa restrictions imposed by his Administration’s April 22, 2020 and the June 22, 2020, proclamation that prohibits the admission of certain nonimmigrants on H1B, L1 and certain non-immigration status. The restrictions have been extended until March 31, 2021. This means that H-1B or L1 visa applicants who were scheduled for an interview prior to March 31, 2021 would need to additionally qualify under one of the exceptions or exemptions originally released on June 22, 2020 and updated on August 12, 2020, in order to apply for a visa to the U.S. The list of exceptions can be found here.

It is unfortunate that President Trump has extended these unreasonable travel restrictions under the guise of Covid-19 when in fact so many H1B professionals help create jobs and support the U.S. economy. One needs to wait to see if incoming President Biden will revoke these Presidential Proclamations prior to March 31, 2021. Biden had made it clear that he does not support these restrictions as he believes that hurting H1B, L1 and other professionals is not helpful for U.S employers, employees or the U.S. economy. The proclamation, extending the ban can be found here.