U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg

Information on the new protocol is available on the State Department’s website, travel.state.gov:

New COVID19 Vaccine Requirement for entry into the United States

Effective November 8th, 2021, travelers must demonstrate proof of vaccination as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prior to boarding a U.S. bound aircraft. More details regarding what constitutes full vaccination are available on the CDC website including information about accepted COVID-19 Vaccines, proof of vaccination and required testing.

On October 15, 2021, the White House announced a new travel policy for foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States. Effective November 8, 2021, all foreign national travelers will be required to demonstrate proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. For purposes of entry to the U.S., the CDC website stipulates that accepted vaccines will include FDA-approved or authorized vaccines, as well as WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. Please see Update on U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination.

Further details – for the airlines, for airline passengers, and for people coming to the land border – will be available in advance of November 8 to help travelers understand how to ensure compliance.  The Department will provide further information on travel.state.gov as it becomes available.

A National Interest Exception to travel to the United States will no longer be required beginning November 8, 2021.

Before November 8, 2021, U.S. travel restrictions remain in place for travelers from Luxembourg and the rest of the Schengen Area, regardless if you have a valid U.S. visa, ESTA or are fully vaccinated.  In most cases, travel by non-U.S. citizens from Luxembourg to the United States is only possible if you qualify and are approved for a National Interest Exception (NIE), or you qualify under immediate family exemptions.

Tourism & leisure travel remains suspended until the new travel policy becomes effective on November 8, 2021. Such purposes of travel generally will NOT qualify for a National Interest Exception.

Even if you have a valid U.S. visa or ESTA and you are fully vaccinated, you CANNOT travel from Luxembourg or another Schengen country to the United States, unless you also have a valid National Interest Exception  (NIE) or qualifying exemption.

We understand the current regulations regarding travel to the United States are complex. There are multiple Presidential Proclamations currently in effect that govern entrance into the United States. Please see Visa News   published by the Department of State about the current status of visa services worldwide and visa restrictions related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Please be sure to read the information below relevant to your specific circumstances. If you require further information, contact us at luxembourgconsular@state.gov.

On April 30, 2021, President Biden signed a Proclamation suspending the entry of certain nonimmigrant travelers who have been physically present in India, effective at 12:01 AM EDT on Tuesday, May 4.

President Biden signed a presidential proclamation on Monday, January 25, 2021, reinstating the travel restrictions previously imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals who have been physically present in the countries identified in the proclamation in the 14 days immediately preceding arrival are prohibited from entering the United States. These countries include:

• The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, excluding overseas territories outside of Europe;
• The Republic of Ireland;
• The 26 countries that comprise the Schengen Area (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);
• The Federative Republic of Brazil;
• The Republic of South Africa

In addition to the Presidential Proclamation prohibiting travel from the countries listed above, the previous proclamations prohibiting travel from Iran and China remain in effect.

There are a number of exceptions to existing Presidential Proclamations. If you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and have an urgent need to travel to the United States, please review your category below for detailed information on possible exceptions.

Eligible Travelers

National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) to the proclamations fall into the following categories:  students, academics, public health professionals, government officials, crew members, those needing emergency medical treatment, humanitarian exceptions, and others whose travel is in the U.S. national interest for vital support to critical infrastructure, significant economic activity, or national security reasons.

Most travel purposes that fall under the B1/B2 visa category and ESTA will likely not qualify for a National Interest Exception. This includes, but not limited to: tourism; vacations; visiting family or friends; visiting a fiancée or partner; attending a wedding or graduation ceremony; routine business meetings, attending an annual professional conference; maintaining a rental or investment property; etc.

A student with a valid F or M visa and a valid I-20 form may travel to the United States without an NIE or further action by the Embassy.  Diplomats and Government employees traveling on A or G visas also do not require NIEs. All other travelers who already have valid visas or ESTA authorization must receive approval for an NIE prior to travel.

Some travelers may qualify for family exemptions  and do not require an NIE, such as legally married spouses of U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holders).

Please note that a National Interest Exception to travel to the United States will no longer be required beginning November 8, 2021.

Instructions for requesting a National Interest Exception*

* NIE applicants must be legal residents and physically present in Luxembourg. All others, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate General.

Applications from non-residents will not be accepted, even if you work for a company established in Luxembourg or if your last visa was issued by the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg.

We recommend that you submit your NIE request at least 15 business days in advance of your travel to allow the consular section sufficient time to consider your request. We further recommend that you do not book your travel until you receive notification that your request has been approved.

Step 1:  Send an email to Luxembourgconsular@state.gov with the subject line “NIE – LAST NAME – mm-dd-yyyy,” replacing the letters with the month, day and year of your intended travel date. For example, “NIE 12-25-2021″ if you are traveling on December 25, 2021.  Your e-mail MUST contain all the following:

• A scanned copy of each traveler’s visa or ESTA authorization;
• A scanned copy of each traveler’s passport biographic data page;
• Your country of birth
• Purpose of travel (and any supporting documents);
• A copy of your flight itinerary, or proposed travel dates (flight reservation/airfare option);
• Your Luxembourg address and phone number

Incomplete NIE requests will be ignored and further delay your application.

Step 2:  Please allow up to 15 business days for Consular Officers to review your documents and qualifications.

Step 3: Travelers will be notified by email if their request for a National Interest Exception has been approved or denied. Do not attempt to travel before you receive email notification of your NIE approval.  The NIE will be issued electronically and visible to relevant government agencies and airlines. It is valid for one year from the original approval date and allows NIE recipients to make multiple entries to the U.S. for the original purpose of the NIE.

If you believe that you qualify for a NIE, need to travel urgently, and require a visa, please send an email to Luxembourgconsular@state.gov and explain the urgency of your situation.

NIE validity extended to one year, multiple entries

Effective July 5, 2021, all NIEs will be valid for 12 months and multiple entries for the same purpose of travel.  This is also retroactive for NIEs issued within the past 12 months.

For example: if you were previously issued an NIE on November 1, 2020, you may continue to travel to the United States until October 31, 2021 without any further action or notification required to this Embassy.  However, the purpose of travel must be for the same reason as originally requested.  If you require travel for a different purpose, a new NIE will be required.

Travelers without Valid Visas

Routine visa services are available again for all non-immigrant visa categories in Luxembourg.

Applicants may book an appointment for a visa interview as explained in How to apply for a non-immigrant visa.

It is possible that a date for a visa interview is not immediately available. Please prepare your DS-160 and check the online agenda on our website regularly. New slots can become available any time. Should you have an urgent need to travel, please refer to Obtaining an expedited appointment.

Mandatory COVID Testing and Quarantine Requirements for Travel

All airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel – even if you have already been fully vaccinated.  Alternatively, travelers may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website  for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.  The CDC Control and Prevention testing requirement also includes testing and self-quarantine guidelines you must follow after your arrival in the United States.

Family-based exemptions

Certain travelers are exempt from COVID travel restrictions including:

• Legally married spouses of U.S. Citizens (USC);
• Legally married spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs, commonly known as “Green Card” holders);
• Under-21, unmarried child of a USC or LPR;
• Parent or guardian of an under-21, unmarried USC or LPR;
• Under-21 unmarried sibling of an under-21 unmarried USC or LPR.

(Unmarried partners, fiancées, adult children, grandparents and other extended family do not qualify for a family exemption.)

These travelers do not require NIEs or any approval from the Embassy. If you meet the above qualifications, you may proceed directly to the airport and bring supporting documentation that proves your relationship to the U.S. Citizen or LPR relative, such as marriage certificates and/or birth certificates. Important notice: If you travel with a valid ESTA you should NOT attempt to do the online check-in for your flight as this may cause the cancellation of your ESTA. To avoid this situation, you should check-in at the airport and present your supporting documentation as proof that you are exempt from travel restrictions.

Detailed information about applicable exemptions is available at Presidential Proclamation.

DISCLAIMER: Admission to the United States remains subject to a determination by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers upon arrival at a U.S. Port of Entry. A valid visa, ESTA or NIE is not a guarantee of admission.