This article was prepared with the assistance of ABIL, the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers, of which Loan Huynh, Fredrikson Immigration Department Chair, is a member.
U.S. embassies in London and Berlin have reported that “all National Interest Exceptions (NIE) are now valid for 12 months and multiple entries as long as you are traveling for the same purpose for which you originally received [a National Interest Exception (NIE)].” According to the U.S. embassy in Berlin, this new policy was effective July 5, 2021.
Presidential Proclamation 10143 allows the entry of any noncitizen whose entry would be in the national interest. Previously, all NIEs were only valid for 30 days and only approved for a single entry into the United States. Those already issued NIEs now may enter the country multiple times, provided they are traveling for the same pre-approved purpose stated in their original NIE.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that the above guidance does not apply to CBP requests and NIEs previously issued by CBP.
