The White House issued a proclamation suspending and limiting entry to the U.S. of certain immigrants and nonimmigrants who were physically present in countries where the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected, including:
- Republic of Botswana
- Kingdom of Eswatini
- Kingdom of Lesotho
- Republic of Malawi
- Republic of Mozambique
- Republic of Namibia
- Republic of South Africa
- Republic of Zimbabwe
The proclamation came into effect at 12:01 am (ET) on November 29, 2021.
The proclamation does not apply to the following, among others:
- lawful permanent residents of the United States (green card holders).
- noncitizen nationals of the United States.
- noncitizen spouses of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- noncitizen parents or legal guardians of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21.
- noncitizen siblings of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21.
- noncitizen children, foster children, or wards of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications.
- noncitizens traveling pursuant to a C-1, D, or C-1/D nonimmigrant visa as a crewmember or any noncitizen otherwise traveling to the United States as air or sea crew.
- noncitizen whose entry would be in the national interest, that is, who are eligible to obtain a National Interest Exception (NIE).
