Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
12th Aug 2020

US eases travel restrictions for European students

Short on time? Here are the highlights:
  • In a rare exception to sweeping travel bans that have been in place since March, the US is now allowing travellers from the Schengen Area, the UK and Ireland to enter the country with F-1 or M-1 visas

The US effectively closed its borders to international travellers in mid-March, but a July announcement from the US State Department eased those restrictions for some visitors from Europe.

More specifically, those travelling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland “with valid F-1 and M-1 visas, do not need to seek a national interest exception to travel.” In other words, students travelling from those specified European countries who already hold a valid study visa for the US may now enter the country.

"Granting national interest exceptions for this travel to the United States from the Schengen area, UK, and Ireland, will assist with the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and bolster key components of our transatlantic relationship," notes the State Department statement. "We appreciate the transparency and concerted efforts of our European partners and allies to combat this pandemic and welcome the EU’s reciprocal action to allow key categories of essential travel to continue."

That reciprocal action, however, has not yet been extended by the EU. The European Union began to open its borders to non-EU travellers in early July, and continues to update its list of "third countries" (from which travellers from outside the EU may be admitted) every two weeks. As of the last update to that list, on 7 August, travellers from Australia, Canada, Japan, and, pending "confirmation of reciprocity", China – among several others – may undertake "non-essential travel into the EU". The United States, however, has not yet been included.

In order to be added to the EU list, countries have to meet specific criteria, including:

  • “number of new COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days and per 100 000 inhabitants close to or below the EU average (as it stood on 15 June 2020);
  • stable or decreasing trend of new cases over this period in comparison to the previous 14 days;
  • overall response to COVID-19 taking into account available information, including on aspects such as testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment and reporting, as well as the reliability of the information and, if needed, the total average score for International Health Regulations (IHR). Information provided by EU delegations on these aspects should also be taken into account.”

Details of the US exemption

The Schengen Area consists of 26 European countries – including four that are outside of the European Union – that have done away with passport controls (or other border controls) at their shared borders. The current members are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malt, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Ireland and the UK are outside of the Schengen group but have nevertheless been included in the US travel exemption.

On the question of students hoping to study in the US who do not yet have visas, the State Department adds, "Students seeking to apply for new F-1 or M-1 visas should check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate; those applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for a national interest exception to travel." In a related development, the US government also announced in July a phased resumption of visa services at US diplomatic posts around the world. The State Department adds, "We are unable to provide a specific date for when each mission will resume specific visa services, or when each mission will return to processing at pre-COVID workload levels. See each individual US Embassy or Consulate’s website for information regarding operating status and which services it is currently offering."

The exemption for European students is notable in that it is one of the few such exceptions to the travel ban extended by the US administration to this point. The ban remains in place for students from all other countries, including those holding J-1 visas for exchange programmes and other short-term placements in the United States.

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • New analysis forecasts marginal growth for foreign enrolment in Australia through 2030 Read More
  • China opens up to global STEM talent with new visa class Read More
  • US proposes new rules for student visas including term limits and other restrictions Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

New analysis forecasts marginal growth for foreign enrolment in Australia through 2030 In the five years leading up to the pandemic, Australia’s foreign enrolment grew at an average of 10%...
Read more
China opens up to global STEM talent with new visa class The contrast offered by the global news headlines over the past couple of weeks could not have been...
Read more
US proposes new rules for student visas including term limits and other restrictions On 28 August 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule: Establishing a Fixed Time...
Read more
US Office of Management and Budget grants budget reprieve to key exchange programmes In a highly unusual intervention in an area of Congressional authority, the US Office of Management and Budget...
Read more
Canada: How is study permit processing taking shape this year? There are two important and recurring themes in our conversations with education agents over the last few months...
Read more
UK study visa grants strengthening in first half of 2025 A 21 August 2025 data release from the UK Home Office shows that student visa grants were up...
Read more
Asian destinations show their strength in latest ranking of student cities The QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings were released last month, and, for the first time ever, Seoul...
Read more
Many foreign students want to stay in Germany but need more help with the transition to life after study Early findings from an extensive survey of international students in Germany finds that two-thirds would like to stay...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links