Belgium

Traveling to the US

*** Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. 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. Waivers to the testing requirement may be granted by the CDC on an extremely limited basis in extraordinary circumstances.

Source: https://be.usembassy.gov/information-about-covid-19-and-travel-to-the-us/


F-1 Visa

A limited number of routine nonimmigrant visa appointments are available and we are able to interview visa applicants with emergency travel reasons. After reading the information related to your visa category below, should you feel your travel need is urgent, please follow the instructions to request an expedited visa appointment.

Notice to Visa Applicants who do not reside in Belgium: If you do not live in Belgium and you have an urgent need for a visa appointment, you must request an expedited appointment with a U.S. embassy or consulate in the country in which you reside.

Presidential Proclamation 10143, related to reducing the spread of COVID-19, suspends the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Schengen Area during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. There are a number of exceptions to this proclamation, including the possibility of being granted a National Interest Exception.

We are processing all immigrant visa cases, including fiancé(e) visas, although there is a substantial backlog of applications in some categories. Immigrant and fiancé(e) visa holders have been granted National Interest Exceptions from the Secretary of State. Please see our webpage on Immigrant Visas for further information about the immigrant visa process.

I DO NOT HAVE a valid visa for the purpose of my travel

  • Students found qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be approved for a national interest exception to travel.

  • J-1 exchange visitors will be able to travel only if the visa is approved and they are determined to qualify for a national interest exception.

  • Follow the instructions to apply for a visa and select an available appointment. If you have imminent travel, request an expedited visa appointment and be specific about your purpose of travel in the expedite request. If you are requesting an expedited appointment and you are not a Belgian citizen, please say whether or not you are a resident of Belgium.

I HAVE a valid visa for the purpose of my travel

  • Students and their dependents traveling from the Schengen Area with valid F or M visas and a valid I-20 do not need to seek a national interest exception to travel. The embassy will not provide any travel letter, the airlines are familiar with the requirements.

More information: https://be.usembassy.gov/information-about-covid-19-and-travel-to-the-us/

Last update by HB Studio: September 26, 2021