Will COVID-19 affect your visa or green card immigration status?
With COVID-19 paralyzing world airports, and with Trump implementing a travel ban on flights from Europe, many people are asking how this will affect their immigration status.
European Coronavirus travel ban
On March 11, 2020, Trump announced that all travel to the U.S. from Europe’s Schengen Area will be suspended for 30 days starting on March 13, 2020. This includes the countries of: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Exceptions to the ban include: U.S. citizens; green card holders; and spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or green card holders.
Iran CoronaVirus Ban
As of March 2, 2020, Trump limited the entry of anybody who was physically present in Iran during the 14-day period immediately preceding their entry to the U.S. Exceptions to this ban include: U.S. citizens; green card holders; and spouses, children, siblings and parents of U.S. citizens or green card holders.
China CoronaVirus Ban
On January 31, 2020, Trump limited the entry of those who were physically present in China in the 14-day period preceding their entry to the U.S. Exceptions to this ban include: U.S. citizens; green card holders; and spouses, children, siblings and parents of U.S. citizens or green card holders.
B-1 and B-2 visitors currently in the U.S.
For those who are currently in the U.S. as visitors in B-1 or B-2 status and cannot return to their home countries, they can apply to extend or change their status with USCIS. If the application is received by USCIS before your I-94 expires, you will be able to remain in the U.S. beyond the expiration date until a decision is made.