US lifts travel restrictions on students from China and elsewhere

The U.S. lifted travel restrictions on Monday for students from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, Europe, the U.K. and Ireland who plan to study in America this fall. It did not set a timetable for expanding visa processing services suspended during the pandemic.

Students from the affected countries with valid F-1 and M-1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic program starting Aug. 1 or later can now enter the U.S. without having to apply for an individual National Interest Exception within 30 days before the start of studies, the Department of State said in a statement.