Anyone traveled with a National Interest Exception with a J1?

[mgy 0]

Hi all,

 

I am a J1 research scholar who wants to travel to the US from Schengen (through the UK), and my national interest exception (NIE) was approved by the Hungarian consulate. As per this news item https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/national-interest-exceptions-from-certain-travelers-from-the-schengen-area-uk-and-ireland.html, I thought I was in the clear. However, I called CBP, and they seemed unsure whether they would let me in the country with a J1 and an NIE. Does anyone have any stories regarding travel from EU to US on a J1 recently?

 

Thanks very much.

[Quarknase 1,072]

Have you called CBP in the specific airport where you are planning to arrive in the US? Note that there are only 15 airports through which you can currently enter, coming from a "banned" region.

https://www.dhs.gov/coronavirus/protecting-air-travelers-and-american-public

 

I would assume, that CBP in these airports has more in-depth training on who they can admit, than the general CBP.

 

I would personally think that the bigger challenge will be, to convince the airline to let you on board, have you talked to them yet?

[mgy 0]

Thanks for getting back to me on this. I will call O'Hare then, that's where I'll be going.

 

I'm flying British Airways - I did not know they have the power to deny letting me board if I have all the documents my Consulate (and hopefully CBP) are fine with...? What could their reasoning be?

 

Thanks!