What does Trigger Cut have to do with Brexit?

Who is Trigger Cut? Trigger Cut is a rock band from Bern, Switzerland. They have played several shows throughout Europe and received critical acclaim for their live performances. While Trigger Cut may not be a household name, they have a dedicated following in the alternative rock community and have earned a reputation for their high-energy live shows and innovative sound. And they were recently denied entry to the United Kingdom to perform at several concerts on their tour. Why you may ask. Well, let's start with the rules. As of 1 January 2021, following the UK's departure from the European Union, there are new travel restrictions and requirements for EU citizens visiting the UK including artists.

Here are the key things you need to know:

Passport Requirements: EU citizens visiting the UK will need a valid passport. ID cards are no longer accepted.

Visa Requirements: EU citizens can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa. You may need to apply for a visa if you plan to stay longer or work. Travel Insurance: EU citizens are advised to purchase travel insurance that includes health coverage for the duration of their stay in the UK.

But what about artists trying to enter the UK? If you are a musician planning to perform in the UK, you can enter the country using a "certificate of sponsorship" (COS) from each venue you want to perform in. This is an alternative to the "permitted paid engagement" (PPE) exemption, which is free, but has more limited eligibility criteria.

Thank you to Colin Verba and Judgement War Productions, LLC.
 

The U.S. Will Continue to Keep Travel Restrictions in Place

The U.S. Will Continue to Keep Travel Restrictions in Place

Because of growing COVID-19 cases in the United States and throughout the world caused by the delta variant, the United States will not lift travel restrictions just yet.

Countries affected by the travel restrictions are:

• China
• Iran
• The European Schengen Area*
• The United Kingdom**
• The Republic of Ireland
• Brazil
• South Africa
• India

The travel restrictions against these countries were set in place in March 2020 by President Trump, and reinstated by President Biden in January, once he took office.

The decision to keep the travel restrictions in place comes just over a month after the European Union added the United States to their list of recommended countries where travel restrictions should be gradually lifted. That list is not legally binding, but rather a suggestion which each member state of the E.U. decides on their own to implement or not.

Just last week, the United States also extended their land border restrictions on nonessential travel to Canada and Mexico through August 21st, even though Canada is planning on reopening its borders to vaccinated Americans on August 9th.

Many are unhappy with the decision to keep travel restrictions in place, citing the high vaccination rates as a reason for easing restrictions. German Chancellor Angela Merkel implored President Biden to lift the U.S. travel restrictions during her trip to Washington D.C. on July 15th.

Many travel industry executives also have pleaded with the White House to lift travel restrictions, including the CEOs of Delta Airlines and American Airlines.

It is currently unclear how long it will be until the United States lifts its travel restrictions.

How to Travel to the United States Despite Travel Restrictions

The National Interest Exception (NIE) still seems to be the best way for many people to travel to the U.S. despite the travel restrictions if they fit the criteria. To learn more about the NIE and how to obtain one, click here.

If you would like to get in contact with our U.S. immigration team, email us at immigration.bridgehouselaw@gmail.com

Subscribe to our newsletter for more up-to-date information about immigration, international business, law, and more!

* 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, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City

** England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Important NIE Update – NIEs Automatically Extended For 12 Months

 

IMPORTANT NIE UPDATE – Covid-19 Travel Ban-related NIEs Auto-extended for 12 Months from Approval

 

On July 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that travel ban-related National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) issued in the last 12 months will be automatically extended for 12 months from the date of approval, and for multiple entries. The extension is only valid so long as the purpose for travel remains the same as the purpose under which the NIE was granted. This NIE extension applies to travelers located in the following locations: China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India.

If You Have An Existing NIE

For those with existing NIEs, this extension applies retroactively from the date that your NIE was granted. Based on communications with various U.S. consular posts, it appears that no additional steps are needed to effectuate this extension, though we encourage each NIE recipient to confirm the extension process with the issuing consular post. The U.S. consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, has confirmed that its NIE recipients should re-print the NIE approval email from the U.S. consular post or reference the “NIE” annotation on the visa if issued with such an annotation. Please note, the 12-month and multiple entry extension is only valid so long as the purpose of your travel remains the same as the purpose for which the NIE was granted.

If You Do Not Have An NIE Yet 

For those who have not yet applied for or received initial NIE approval, the above extension would apply automatically from the date of your approval. This extension does not affect the NIE application or approval process. NIE applicants still cannot be located in the U.S. when applying, meaning those currently in the U.S. will still need to depart the U.S. before applying, as has been the case since the NIE program began. The NIE extension also does not affect the qualifications that the applicant must possess to receive NIE approval: vital support or executive direction to companies involved with U.S. critical infrastructure, vital support or executive direction for significant economic activity in the U.S., extraordinary humanitarian circumstances, medical or national security support, etc.

If you have any questions regarding the new NIE guidance, please contact our firm at immigration.bridgehouselaw@gmail.com. For those interested in updates on this new guidance, please subscribe to our newsletter. We will send updates through the newsletter as more information becomes available.  

Updated US Travel Restrictions

 

State by state and International Travel Restrictions

The United States Department of State (DOS) recently lifted it's global “do not travel” advisory. Since travel restrictions have been decreased, this means that US non-essential workers can travel internationally to locations that are deemed “safe”. Naturally, not every country is deemed “safe”, and DOS is now ranking countries individually by levels 1-4 based on how each country is addressing COVID-19.

International Travel

If you do plan on traveling internationally, also remember that many places have a ban on American travelers, including the EU. Returning US travelers and others authorized to enter the US will be limited to certain airports for arrival from overseas. Those airports include:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport - Georgia

• Boston-Logan International Airport - Massachusetts
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport - Illinois
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport - Texas
• Detroit Metropolitan Airport - Michigan
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport - Hawaii
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport - Florida
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport - Texas
• John F. Kennedy International Airport - New York
• Los Angeles International Airport - California
• Miami International Airport - Florida
• Newark Liberty International Airport - New Jersey
• San Francisco International Airport - California
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport - Washington
• Washington-Dulles International Airport - Virginia

State by State Travel

When traveling domestically, remember to recognize and adhere to each state’s rules. States have tried their best to balance controlling the outbreak of COVID-19 and reopening their economy, all to different degrees of success. Each state has its own ways of handling out-of-state travelers when screening for COVID-19. Some states, like New York, have very strict restrictions when traveling into the state from outside the state; others, like California, have no statewide travel restrictions. New York, for example, has created a list of several dozen “hot spot” US states – any travelers from or passing through those states may be subject to a mandatory quarantine period before being allowed to enter New York.

Strict States for outside travelers

Of the states listed with airports open for returning US travelers, many states require a similar 14-day self-quarantine period upon arriving in the state if from a state or country deemed “high risk”. Many of those states also have severe fines and even jail time for those who do not self-quarantine. Those places that require a 14-day quarantine include:

• Washington D.C.
• Hawaii
• Massachusetts (or show proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours)
• New Jersey (also travelers must fill out a survey)
• New York (police have checkpoints to make sure people are obeying the self-quarantine rules)

Lenient States for outside travelers

The remainder of the states with designated screening airports open for returning US travelers do not have statewide restrictions, though it may vary per city or county. For example, Illinois does not have any statewide quarantine rules for travelers, but in Chicago, travelers from “high-risk” states must self-quarantine for 14-days if they stay in the city for more than 24 hours.

For any additional information about travel restrictions or legal counseling, reach out to us via social media or at charlotte@bridgehouse.law

Read more of our blogs by clicking here.

Also, check out the full list of all state by state restrictions here.