karenkaren1

Does anyone have experience of L2 dependents (teenage kids age 15 and 17) being able to return to USA from UK right now. The L1 and L2 parents (myself) are planning to remain in the USA. I know the reasons for travel are not too relevant- but I am trying to find a way my kids can go and see their 96yr old grandmother for most likely the last time. Quarantining in the UK is not an issue but coming back to the USA via 2 weeks in a different country isn't feasible.

postbox134

The only way is to apply for an National Interest Exception via email from the consulate, but they've recently made them harder to get. I have no idea if family reasons would count for that and you can only apply once you've already left the US. I'm in the same boat and it sucks that those who are on non-immigrant visas in the US are effectively stuck here.

destone

No chance whatsoever unless you secure NIEs for the travelers in question. See my experience at Covid 19 Travel/Immigration to USA - please check here and ask questions

14 nights in Cabo, MX is a popular way to circumvent the travel ban for West Coast travelers, especially.

karenkaren1

yeh it does suck. Well, they don't qualify of course to provide any national interest to the USA but I was hoping with them being under 18 that they would be allowed to return to their country of residence and their parents.....

karenkaren1

thanks but not an option. I wanted to check if any exceptions for minors under 18 who have parents in USA

christmasoompa

There is an exemption but only if the parents are USC's or LPR's unfortunately. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-...virus-disease/

karenkaren1

it is so unfair on us non immigrant residents whom live, work & go to school here. Even more annoying that I know several Americans heading to London over the summer (because they can!)!!!

postbox134

Agreed, they really should have been an exception for all those on L,H,O,E visas etc who were already present in the US March 2020 as it's not a tourist visit but we have family obligation etc which we're locked out of. Hopefully Biden will rescind it soon (some talk maybe July 4th?).

destone

That was the government plan but the Delta variant upended everything. September seems more likely now.

hutchison

Immi/emmi gration to the U.S would have been easier a few centuries ago with a rope tied around my leg. The custom of 'holding' people has not changed, just a ton more paperwork and exorbitant overall costs. Am trying to see the bright side of being restricted if LPR's can freely travel. We too have elderly relatives, and hope you get it worked out,

scrubbedexpat099

At that age I would have been quite happy to spend a couple of weeks in Cancun.

lizzyq

When on an O-3 visa I was always very aware that I had no right of entry into the US when I stepped up to the immigration desk even though I was admitted each time. Now as an LPR although my admission into the country is expected to be trouble free I am still relieved when that is the case. Roll on being able to apply for citizenship next year and knowing that I have the right to enter the USA freely and that changes in the rules of admission, whether permanent or temporary will no longer affect me directly. The current restrictions are there for a reason and it is important to accept that rules can change and that as adults we went into our time in the USA with our eyes open. No, none of us expected a global pandemic to raise its ugly head during our time here, but it has just underlined the fact that with regards to travel and crossing borders we are not in full control. As an LPR although I can get back into the USA under the current restrictions, I am delaying my trip back to the UK to visit my own elderly mother until things are more settled, and yes it sucks at the moment.

karenkaren1

thankyou. I do have another angle that I am exploring. My son has had several childhood orthopedic surgeries carried out by his UK orthopedic surgeon (before we moved to the USA). For the sake of continuity, he could definitely benefit from a checkup with the same consultant - which was always our plan pre covid, and so we are going to try and apply for a waiver based on a medical need to return to the UK. This combined with him being enrolled in school in USA plus his parents being in the USA will hopefully get him the waiver he needs to return.
It is ludicrous how somebody who lives in the USA, who has been vaccinated AND who has antibodies from previously having Covid, has to jump thru hoops like this.

karenkaren1

So would he! doesn't make it any more feasible tho....

TexanScot

You're essentially going to tell the Embassy that you'd rather pay to fly and see some socialist doctor in the UK, rather than paying an arm and a leg to see a local doctor in the US of A?

That's certainly an interesting argument to make...