The United States’ travel suspension for India begins from today, May 4. It’s not a complete ban, but the White House has indefinitely restricted the entry of non-US citizens who were present in India in the last 14 days before their arrival. This effectively curbs travel for most individuals, families and businesspeople flying out from the country.
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Twelve categories of travellers have been exempted from the entry ban, as outlined by President Joe Biden. The US State Department has also allowed exemptions for Indian students, journalists and certain academics if they meet qualifying parameters. You can find the details from both sources below.
Several India–US flights have also been cancelled due to the new rules. Their details are near the end of this story.
Exemptions as per the White House
The new entry restrictions will not apply to:
- Any lawful permanent resident of the US
- Any noncitizen national of the US
- Any noncitizen who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Any noncitizen who is the parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21
- Any noncitizen who is the sibling of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21
- Any noncitizen who is the child, foster child, or ward of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications
You can find 6 more exemption categories here.
Exemptions from the US State Dept
US Secretary Antony Blinken has confirmed that the same set of ‘National Interest Exceptions’ applied during COVID-19 for other restricted countries will also apply to India.
This means that “students seeking to commence studies in the fall, certain academics, journalists, and individuals who provide critical infrastructure support in countries affected by a geographic COVID-19 restriction may qualify for a National Interest Exception,” according to an official release.
Links with details for these exemptions can be found here.
Also Read | At least 24 countries have changed their travel rules for India
Air India’s US flight cancellations
Air India has shared that flights to Washington DC, Newark, Chicago and San Francisco will be ‘curtailed’ due to the new travel restrictions. As a result, the following trips have been cancelled:
- Delhi–Newark–Delhi on Fridays and Sundays from May 9 to May 3, and on Mondays from May 10 to May 31.
- Delhi–San Francisco–Delhi on Thursdays from May 6 to June 3.
- Delhi–San Francisco–Bengaluru on Tuesdays from May 11 to June 1.
- Bengaluru–San Francisco–Delhi on Thursdays from May 13 to June 3.
- Delhi–Chicago–Delhi on Mondays and Fridays from May 7 to May 31.
- Mumbai–Newark–Mumbai on Wednesdays and Fridays from May 7 to May 21 and from May 26 to June 2. Operations will also be cancelled on May 30 (Sunday).
- Delhi–Washington DC–Delhi on May 7, and on Sundays from May 9 to May 30.
- Washington DC–Delhi on Wednesdays from May 12 to June 2.
- Delhi–Washington DC on Fridays from May 14 to June 4.
For any queries about bookings made on these routes, we advise you to directly contact the airline.
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