Business travelers from Europe may resume visiting the United States if they apply successfully for a national interest exception, the U.S. Department of State announced. President Trump signed proclamations in March banning visitors from the Schengen Area, covering 24 continental European countries, plus the U.K. and Ireland. An update issued July 22 said the proclamations remain in effect but business travelers, investors, academics, certain categories of student and treaty traders may now contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to request an exception.
The State Department said NIEs would be granted under the business travel category to "foreign nationals "traveling to the U.S. to provide a significant economic benefit to the U.S. economy." These include "senior-level managers/executives" who "provide strategic direction necessary for the success of their company," as well as "technical experts/specialists" travelling to "install, service, maintain, or receive training for vessels, machinery and other specialized equipment used by U.S. and foreign firms with a substantial investment in the U.S." Travel must be "temporary and for a defined period," according to the State Department.
Professional athletes and essential staff also are allowed to resume entry to the U.S. for major sporting events. All leisure travel from Europe remains banned.
U.S. consulates in Europe began a phased resumption of visa services on July 20. The State Department warned of increased wait times for approvals as consulates tackle substantial backlogs of applications.