With a travel ban in place against certain countries, any traveler originating from there are prohibited from entering the United States until further notice. However, certain categories of travelers are being given a National Interest Exception (NIE), which is given to people not exempted from travel ban.

Subject to approval of a consular officer at a U.S. embassy in your home country, National Interest Exception (NIE) applies to the following:

• Any non-U.S. citizen spouse of a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (LPR),
• Any non-U.S. citizen who is the parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or LPR, provided that the U.S. citizen or LPR child is unmarried and under the age of 21,
• Any non-U.S. citizen who is the sibling of a U.S. citizen or LPR, provided both the non-U.S. citizen and the U.S. citizen or LPR sibling are unmarried and under the age of 21,
• Any non-U.S. citizen who is the child, foster child, or ward of a U.S. citizen or LPR, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications

https://www.path2usa.com/blog/h4-dependent-visa-holders-granted-waiver-from-travel-ban

When Do You Need An NIE Request Letter?

There can be different circumstances when you might need an NIE request letter. For example, if you are going for a visa interview or have an appointment for Dropbox but are not exempted from the travel ban you will need an NIE request letter to be considered for both visa approval as well as travel to the U.S.

Please note

If the primary beneficiary already has an approved NIE letter, all dependent may take a copy of the approval letter for their own visa interviews.

NIE Request Sample Letters

NIE can be requested for different situations and the sample letter below can be modified for each individual purpose. The basic information that needs to be provided within each NIE letter remains the same. As the travel purpose and national interest category vary, the request letter can be altered for the same.

Below is the general information that needs to be included in every NIE request letter – 

Last name:

First name:

Date of birth:

Gender:

Country of birth:

Country of citizenship:

Passport number:

Visa category:

Travel Date:

As the National Interest Category changes for each traveler, the following information needs to be added to the above accordingly. Please note, that you may modify the contents of the information below with your personal situation – 

1 Travel Purpose and National Interest Category: Critical infrastructure Sectors – Information Technology

I am _­­­­­____ (insert full name) ______, (Passport Number: ____ (insert passport no) _____. I am on an H1-B visa and work in the US providing vital support for a critical infrastructure sector. My employer requires me to return to work at my original job location in the US. The following are the details of my travel – 

• Date of arrival:
• Reason for travel outside of US:
• H1-B Receipt Number: 

Since I qualify for National Interest Exception (NIE) under the “critical

Infrastructure” category, I kindly request you to approve my NIE request and grant me permission to travel to the US. Attached is a letter from my employer supporting my request for an NIE.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

(sign and print name)

2 Travel Purpose and National Interest Category: Family Separation (Humanitarian Grounds)

I am _­­­­­____ (insert full name) ______, (Passport Number: ____ (insert passport no) _____. I am on an H4 visa (include any children, if any) and stranded in India due to the travel ban. My spouse, is the primary beneficiary of an H1-B visa and is currently in the USA. I would like to join him for as long as he has a valid visa to stay in the US. 

• Date of arrival:
• Reason for travel outside of US:
• Spouse’s Passport No.:
• H1-B Receipt Number: 
• H1-B visa valid until: 

Given the family separation and the distress it causes, I request you to grant my request for NIE and help me reunite with my spouse. Attaching copies of my spouse’s passport, I-797 receipt and I-94 for reference.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

(sign and print name)

3 Travel Purpose and National Interest Category: Parent of a US Citizen, Minor Under 21 Years

I am _­­­­­____ (insert full name) ______, (Passport Number: ____ (insert passport no) _____. Along with my minor child/children {Passport No.: ____ (insert passport no) _____} who is a US citizen would like to travel back to the US. We are stranded in India due to the Covid-19 pandemic for ___ weeks. However, my child has to rejoin school and has to be present in person to attend classes. Moreover, their father, the primary H1-B beneficiary is currently in the US.

• Date of arrival:
• Reason for travel outside of US:
• Spouse’s Passport No.:
• H1-B Receipt Number: 

Since we qualify under the US President’s Proclamation exempting us form the travel ban, I request you to grant us an NIE and allow us to travel to the US. Attaching copies of my children’s passport, birth certificate and H1-B’s I-797 receipt for your reference.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

(sign and print name)

Disclaimer

The sample letters above are for reference purposes only. The NIE request letter does not guarantee a visa approval, nor constitute a travel permit nor does it avoid a 221g.