Travel Exemptions and Restriction for International Students in Europe and US in View of Covid-19
For more than a year now, Covid-19 pandemic continue to disrupt normal norms such as travelling to another place be it for vacation, education or even business, it has continued to disturb or restrict people from traveling.
It can be confusing to keep up with constant updates and most recent information on travel restriction as it changes from country to country. For international students who are constantly under pressure and struggling as they have to keep up with online education from various platforms and also keep in touch of the latest travel news.
Below are the traveling exemption and restriction for international students enrolled at universities in the US and Europe.
United States
International students who are returning to the US, these are the current rules that imlpy:
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A student visa that is J1 or F1.
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A negative Covid-19 test Proof taken within 72 hours of their flight’s departure.
- The US has a travel ban on certain foreign nationals who have been in any high-risk countries within two weeks prior to travel as of 25th January 2021. The countries which are identified as high-risk from the US are the UK, the Republic of Ireland, all countries in Europe’s Schengen area, Brazil, Iran, China and South Africa.
- However, students with a J-1 visa may be granted entry from these countries, but case by case decisions will be made. Before travelling J-1 visa holders are encouraged to contact a US consulate. International students travelling from the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Europe’s Schengen area who holds valid M-1 and F-1 visas will be exempt from this ban.
- Standard instructions from US center are such that, one should get tested with a viral test three to five days after arriving, and should self-quarantine for seven days after arriving.
Important note: Different US states have different requirements that one must follow upon arrival. Get proper information on travel restrictions and guidance for the US state you are visiting.
Europe
UK:
There is a passenger locator form which everyone must fill and submit it within 48 hours before their arrival in the UK. The form consists of passport information, travel details and the address of where you will be staying at in the UK. Through UK government website you can complete the form online.
Wherever you travel from, one must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test to enter the UK. This test must be taken before your departure which must not be more than three days. This is must even though you have been vaccinated for Covid-19. The negative test result can be shown as a printed document, an email or a text on your device, and it must include the following:
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The name, it should match the name on your travel documents
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Date of birth or age
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The result of the test
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The test sample date, it was collected or received
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The test provider name and contact details
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The test device name.
Even with a negative test, one must self-isolate for 10 days upon arriving in the UK, either in a hotel or at a UK address that you must share upon arrival. After arriving on second and eighth day of quarantine one must take further coronavirus tests. You must self-isolate for a further 10 days if you test positive in these tests.
The UK government identified some global covid hotspots on a travel ban list which includes certain countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America. India was included in the list of the travel ban as of 23rd April 2021.
This ban is known as the red-list which does not apply to British or Irish nationals or to third-country nationals with “residence rights”. International students with a Tier 4 student visa, a biometric visa or pre-settled/settled status under the European Union settlement scheme, you should be exempt from this ban.
Nevertheless, if you are travelling from or through red-listed countries to England who is exempt from the ban must only fly into Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Birmingham or Farnborough Airfield. Moreover, all passengers flying to England from red-listed countries must isolate for ten days in a hotel at their own expense, booked through this online booking system. Heathrow Airport has warned that red-list travelers may face suspended flights and long queues at the border.
Important note: The above information is applicable to countries like Ireland, England and Wales.
Scotland
You can travel from any country as long as you isolate yourself in a hotel. One can shorten your self-isolation period to five days if you pay for a Covid-19 test upon arrival and the results are negative, but only if you are travelling from a country that is not on the travel ban list this is under the test to Release scheme.
Germany:
For students who plan to return to Germany from non-EU/EEA countries will need to comply with several entry rules such as including self-isolation for 14 days especially if they come from high-risk areas.
The Foreign Affairs of German ministry is making sure that every foreigner including students who are coming to Germany from abroad will be informed on the existing entry rules. It also highlights that student who reaches Germany from high-risk countries will have to remain isolated for 14 days with no contact with other people in a notice published in its website. Students object to quarantine, should also inform the health department that is the relevant authority on the place of accommodation through phone or email.
The travel restriction and exemption constantly keep changing on account on Covid-19 situations in the respective countries. Therefore, we advise you gather the right amount of information and important information before traveling to another country as different places have different rules and regulations.
