My mother’s travel plans for the US continued to be cancelled for 15 months due to various restrictions during the pandemic until recently she arrived in the US with a National Interest Exception. Previously, I knew that B1/B2 visa holders from India are not eligible for NIE approval. Fortunately, I came across this NIE-related article in Indian Eagle’s email newsletter and learned that Indians on B1/B2 visa can seek a National Interest Exception for travel to the US in certain categories.
“You can seek NIE approval if the purpose of travel is to provide care for a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or a non-immigrant in lawful status (who must be a close family member). This comes under the ‘humanitarian travel’ category.”
Picture Credit: USembassy.gov
On behalf of my mother, I applied for the NIE travel waiver to the US Consulate in Hyderabad where her B2 visa was issued from. The NIE request was granted within 48 hours. I sought the National Interest Exception on humanitarian grounds. I am a H1B visa holder; my wife is on H4 visa with the work permit; our only child is a US citizen. I am currently undergoing a medical procedure. My wife is employed. We hardly get time to take care of our 2-year-old son. That’s why we decided to have my mom with us in New York. The NIE approval was granted to my mom on grounds of providing care to my son, a US citizen.
I drafted a letter in the NIE-seeking email, and attached my medical documents as well as my wife’s employment proof. I wrote in the email letter that we need my mother (a close family member) to take care of our 2-year-old son, a US citizen, and sent the email to HyderabadNIE@state.gov.
I trusted IndianEagle.com for booking my mom’s travel on Qatar Airways flights from Hyderabad to New York after everything went well for the NIE approval. Though fully vaccinated with Covishield, mom took an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to boarding her flight at RGI Hyderabad Airport. It took some time to check in at the airport as not everyone is in know of what National Interest Exception is. However, the check-in process was smooth. The transit was also hassle-free at Doha International Airport.
On arrival at New York JFK Airport, she faced a little difficulty during immigration. An immigration officer called me to verify my mom’s details that I had provided in the NIE application. The officer checked with me whether my son is a US citizen. My mom had a copy of my US-born son’s birth certificate and a printout of the NIE approval – which helped with the inspection and the immigration clearance. The immigration process took an approximate one hour. Finally, she was in.
If denied NIE, you can bypass US entry restrictions via Qatar
Sreenivas Valluri, who is from Hyderabad and settled in the US, gave Indian Eagle his consent to publishing this story on Travel Beats, our community portal for Indians in America. Sign up for our free newsletter for upcoming news and stories related to US-India travel.
Is it possible to post a draft letter or link to it please. This is really helpful!
Is this really true? I am in the same boat. I’m currently pregnant and I really need some help from my parents during this time. I’m planning on applying NIE for my parents who have visitors visa.
Hi Malini! You can seek NIE approval for your parents, though the chances are slim. If you decide to apply, make sure to apply on humanitarian grounds that you need a close family member to provide care to you.
Hi,
What if the Parents Visa is expired? Can we get the NIE approval for visa and travel ?
Hi Malini,
Were you able to get NIE approval for your parents? if yes, did you get any additional documents or letters from your doctor?
Hi Malini,
Were you able to get the NIE for your parents? I am pregnant and need some immediate family members here for to help. Can you pls advise more on process followed?
Few Questions-
Did u attach all the docs separately in email or in a single pdf?
Did you write anything in email as well for justification as in last question answer in following (Clear justification for receipt of a NIE) ?
https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/usa-travel-nie-approval/
Last name:
First name:
Date of birth (MM-DD-YYYY):
Place of birth:
Gender:
Country of citizenship:
Passport number:
Visa Number*:
Visa Category:
Issuing Post Name (upper left corner of visa):
Travel dates (MM-DD-YYYY):
Travel purpose:
National interest category:
Clear justification for receipt of a NIE:
Hi
Can I apply for NIE for my mother in law who is on B1/B2 visa for her travel to USA? She needs to travel to take care of my 10 month daughter and since both me and my wife need to work
HI AJ! There is no harm in applying for NIE approval for your mother-in-law’s travel to the US. Be advised to provide copies of your employment certificates and make the application matter strong.
If parents travel gets NIE approved, does this mean they still have to quarantine 14 days in non-USA country before traveling to USA?
Hi George! Having NIE approval, Indians on B2 visa don’t need to spend 14 days in a third country. They can travel on direct flights or one-stop flights.
Hello ,
where can i find Passport number with issued visa:
https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/national-interest-exception-frequently-asked-questions/
Can we apply for NIE on behalf of parents from our email stating that i am requesting NIE for my parents?
Hi Sushma! No. You can help your parents with the content and format of an NIE application. You can log in to your parents’ email and send an NIE application (in the first person), like I am requesting NIE approval for my travel to the US……..
I am in the same boat do I need to apply NIE for my parents separately means one for mother from mother’s email and one for father from father’s email? If NIE email is going from my parents email do they need to attach my employment proof of US and my baby birth certificate.
Hi Ankush! Yes they need to attach the documents you mentioned.
iam lawful permanent resident do i need to apply for nie or my parent can come by showing my green card copy and birth certificate.
Hi Salman! If you are unmarried and under 21 years, your parents can travel to the US without NIE approval or a stopover in a third country.
Hi
Can I apply for NIE for my mother in law and Father in law on B1/B2 visa, for her travel to USA? Their visa is expired this year and embassy had cancelled their appointments.
They needs to travel to take care of my kid and since both me and my wife need to work.
Can you help us in getting the NIE approval ?
Hi Sanjeev! We’re a leading air-ticketing agency booking the best flights in the US-India corridor. We disseminate the information related to international travel, visa, passport, transit, etc. Coming to your query, they cannot apply for NIE without a valid visitor visa.
I got NIE approval by emal to travel to the US from the Consulate at Hyderabad. I have a B1 B2 valid visa. Do I need to take any further action or just go ahead and book my tickets for travel based on the email by the consulate?
Hi Rupa! Please carry a copy of the email approval while traveling.
Hy! Since 8 november flights are open now people can come in usa on tourist visa without NIE approval ?Because my mother want to come for meet us ?
Hi Kelly! If you mother is fully-vaccinated, she can travel to the US without NIE approval.