National Interest Exemptions Automatically Extended for 12 Months

On July 6, 2021, Department of State (DOS) provided guidance confirming reports of National Interest Exemption (NIE)s issued in the last 12 months being automatically extended for 12 months from the date of approval, and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted. The extension applies to NIEs for travelers subject to Presidential Proclamations 9984 (China), 9992 (Iran), 10143 (Schengen Area, U.K., Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa), and 10199 (India). The official guidance from DOS can be found here.

If you have received an NIE in the last 12 months from DOS, it is still valid and you do not need to obtain a new NIE.

However, it should should noted that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintains independent authority from DOS and CBP has not issued guidance as to whether CBP-issued NIEs will also be extended. Travelers should remember that admission to the U.S. remains at the discretion of CBP and issuance of a visa/approval of an NIE does not guarantee entry into the U.S.