National Curiosity Exception (NIE) – Journey Update, September 13, 2021
Up-to-date 9/13/2021
Observe: If you are a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Long-lasting Resident (“Green Card” holder), the NIE info underneath does NOT pertain to you. If you are the lawful husband or wife of a U.S. citizen or Inexperienced Card holder, scroll down to “Family-Based Exemptions.”
Schengen Vacation Constraints Remain in Location
Presidential Proclamation 10143, which suspended journey from the 26 Schengen Spot nations, including Greece,remains in force. These limitations implement irrespective if you have a valid U.S. visa, ESTA or have been absolutely vaccinated.
In most scenarios, travel by non-U.S. citizens from Greece to the United States is only attainable if you qualify and are accepted for a National Fascination Exception (NIE), are exempted by visa course, or qualify for a Spouse and children Exemption.
The simple fact that the govt of Greece lifted most journey constraints for vacationers from the United States does not alter this policy this was not a reciprocal conclusion. Your COVID vaccination status also will make no difference. We cannot predict how lengthy these limits will continue being in put.
TOURISM & LEISURE Journey Remains SUSPENDED
Most travel functions that drop beneath the B1/B2 visa class will very likely not qualify for a National Desire Exception, even if you have a legitimate visa or ESTA. This includes, but not minimal to, tourism holiday visiting household or close friends checking out a fiancée, fiancé, girlfriend, boyfriend, cohabitation associate attending a wedding or graduation ceremony traveling to a expecting relative or little one regime business enterprise meetings attending a skilled meeting protecting a rental or financial commitment property etcetera. We do not know when these constraints will be lifted.
National Curiosity EXCEPTIONS (NIE) AND EXEMPTED Travelers
Although regime Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) services remain suspended, U.S. Embassy Athens Consular Part carries on to supply unexpected emergency and mission vital visa providers to candidates exempted from COVID-19 connected Presidential Proclamations. For a lot more data on the Presidential Proclamations, see the journey.state.gov web page.
National Interest Exceptions tumble into the following classes:
- Learners*,
- Teachers/researchers,
- Public health and fitness pros,
- Government officers*,
- Crew users,
- Crisis medical remedy,
- Humanitarian motives,
- Some others whose journey is in the U.S. national interest for important assistance to crucial infrastructure, considerable financial exercise, or national stability.
*Exempted vacationers: Pupils with legitimate F or M visas and a valid I-20 variety, and Governing administration officials and Diplomats traveling with legitimate A or G visas do not need NIEs. You might commence with travel.
Athletes have to ask for an NIE from U.S. Customs and Border Defense (CBP). We are no longer licensed to look at sporting activities-related NIEs.
Requesting a Countrywide Fascination Exception (NIE)
Latest Wait TIME: 5 Business Days After RECEIPT OF A Complete Request.
Remember to Read through ALL Instructions Underneath Completely Just before Applying. INCOMPLETE / INCORRECT REQUESTS WILL Delay YOUR Case.
Move 1: Affirm YOUR Physical Existence. U.S. Embassy Athens will only consider NIE applicants who are bodily present in Greece with authorized standing these types of as Greek citizens and permanent or non permanent citizens keeping a legitimate Greek residency card. All other travelers, remember to make contact with the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate Typical in your country of home. If you qualify but are presently in the United States, please wait around till you return to Athens just before submitting your NIE ask for.
Action 2: Send an email to [email protected] out.gov with the subject line “NIE dd-mmm-yyyy SURNAME,” replacing the letters with the day, thirty day period, and yr of your supposed travel day. For example, “NIE 25-DEC-2021 SMITH″ if you are touring on December 25, 2021, and your surname is Smith. Your e-mail Have to include all the pursuing:
-
- A scanned duplicate of every single traveler’s visa or ESTA authorization
- A scanned duplicate of each individual traveler’s passport photo web site
- Objective of travel, and any supporting files that evidently demonstrate how you qualify for an NIE
- A duplicate of your flight itinerary, or proposed vacation dates
- Evidence of Greek residency, if you are not a Greek citizen (passport holder)
- You should offer the adhering to info in the overall body of your electronic mail:
- Surname:
- Initially name:
- Date of Beginning:
- Area of Delivery:
- Nationality:
- Gender:
- Visa Course / ESTA (valid until finally day):
- Goal of Vacation:
You should be aware: the traveler will have to deliver all attachments and information and facts essential in just one e-mail. Important: If you are implementing for an NIE on behalf of an additional traveler who is 18 a long time of age or older the traveler have to be copied on all NIE correspondence owing to privateness rules outlined beneath part 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Action 3: Remember to make it possible for up to 5 business times for Consular Officers to critique your documents and skills. U.S. Consular Section Athens is processing hundreds of NIE requests for each working day with restricted sources. We respect your endurance through this system. Remember to do not mail several purposes or requests for updates, as this only additional slows down processing.
Move 4: If your NIE is accepted, you will be notified by electronic mail. Do not try to check out in to your flight on the internet or vacation prior to you acquire e mail notification of your NIE approval. The NIE will be issued electronically and obvious to related federal government businesses and airways.
NIE VALIDITY Prolonged TO 1 12 months, Many ENTRIES
Effective July 5, 2021, all NIEs are valid for 12 months and multiple entries, for the same purpose of vacation. This is retroactive for NIEs issued on or after July 5, 2020. There is no even further motion or documents expected from the Embassy and you could move forward with vacation. Your goal of vacation need to be the very same as for the initially-issued NIE.
VISA Candidates
If you are a visa applicant with an approaching scheduled appointment at U.S. Consulate Athens, or ended up recently issued a visa listed here, make sure you do NOT apply for an NIE. Your NIE will be issued immediately when the visa is accepted.
Travelers without the need of Valid Visas
If you consider that you drop into any of the previously mentioned groups but demand a visa, make sure you comply with the assistance delivered at https://gr.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/. You are accountable for completing your personal visa software, paying the acceptable fee and scheduling an appointment.
Family-Dependent EXEMPTIONS
Selected travelers are exempt from COVID vacation limitations which includes:
-
- Lawfully married spouses of U.S. Citizens (USC)
- Lawfully married spouses of Lawful Everlasting Inhabitants (LPRs, also known as “Green Card” holders)
- Underneath-21, unmarried kid of a USC or LPR
- Parent or guardian of an under-21, single USC or LPR
- Under-21 single sibling of an less than-21 single USC or LPR.
Unmarried associates, cohabitation agreements, fiancées, fiancés, boyfriends, girlfriends, adult small children, parents, grandparents and other extended household do not qualify for relatives exemptions.
Required Files: If you qualify for Relatives Exemptions, you do not will need an NIE. You ought to still have a legitimate ESTA or U.S. Visa, in addition documentation that proves your romantic relationship to the U.S. Citizen or LPR relative these as relationship certification, birth certificates, adoption decrees, and so on.
If you are a citizen of a country that involves a U.S. visa, make sure you https://ais.usvisa-information.com/en-gr/niv to use for a visa, pay back the visa rate, and timetable an appointment for a B2 visa. Following scheduling an appointment, you can go again to that internet site and ask for an expedited appointment, with an clarification of your Family members Exemption status.
Mandatory COVID Screening and Quarantine Necessities
All airline passengers to the United States ages two yrs and more mature need to give a destructive COVID-19 viral examination taken within just a few calendar days of journey – even if you have currently been completely vaccinated. Alternatively, tourists may perhaps present documentation from a certified health treatment supplier of getting recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 times preceding travel. Check the CDC web page for extra facts and Routinely Asked Queries. The CDC Handle and Prevention testing requirement also involves screening and self-quarantine tips you must stick to following your arrival in the United States.
Admission to the United States stays topic to a willpower by Customs and Border Security (CBP) at the U.S. Port of Entry. Acquiring a valid visa or ESTA acceptance together with an NIE is not a assure of admission.
