今天（2021年4月26日），美国国务院突然发布公告宣布：来自中国、伊朗、巴西、南非、申根地区、英国及爱尔兰的F-1和M-1签证持有者可以直接获得国家利益例外NIE《National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland》，因而可以从各国直飞美国。全文如下：
On April 26, 2021, the Secretary of State made a national interest determination regarding categories of travelers eligible for exceptions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9984, 9992, and 10143 related to the spread of COVID-19. As a result of this determination, together with national interest determinations already in place, travelers subject to these proclamations, due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, who are seeking to provide vital support for critical infrastructure; journalists; students and certain academics covered by exchange visitor programs, may now qualify for a National Interest Exception (NIE). Students and academics subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, or South Africa, may qualify for an NIE only if their academic program begins August 1, 2021 or later. Qualified travelers who are applying for or have valid visas or ESTA authorization may travel to the United States following the procedures below, even as PPs 9984, 9992, and 10143 remain in effect.
Students with valid F-1 and M-1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic program commencing August 1, 2021 or later do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual NIE to travel. They may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the start of their academic studies. Students seeking to apply for new F-1 or M-1 visas should check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate; those applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for an NIE to travel.
Travelers in categories described above who have a valid visa in the appropriate class or who have a valid ESTA authorization for travel under the Visa Waiver Program and seek to travel for purposes consistent with ESTA authorization, should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling, if they believe they may qualify for a National Interest Exception. If a National Interest Exception is approved, they may travel on either a valid visa or ESTA authorization, as appropriate.
The Department of State also continues to grant NIEs for qualified travelers seeking to enter the United States for purposes related to humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security. These travelers and any others who believe their travel to be in the United States’ national interest should also review the website of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for instruction on how to contact them.
川普总统从2020年疫情开始，就陆续对中国大陆，伊朗，申根26国，英国，爱尔兰和巴西增加了禁令。川普总统离任前取消了对申根26国，英国和爱尔兰的禁令，然而拜登上任伊始就立刻恢复了对申根26国，英国和爱尔兰的禁令，同时增加了对南非的禁令。因此（没有绿卡，不是公民的）普通外国人如果过去14天在这些地方，依然无法直飞美国的。
根据以上公告，我们可以确定：
- 因在中国、伊朗、巴西或南非存在而受这些公告约束的学生和学者，只有在其学术课程于2021年8月1日或之后开始时，才有资格获得NIE。
- 目前持有有效F-1和M-1签证，打算开始或继续2021年8月1日或以后开始的学术课程的学生不需要联系大使馆或领事馆寻求个人NIE来旅行来美。
然而，至于F2和B类签证，公告没说，因此推断目前依然无法直接来美。因此，我们鼓励符合条件的同学们尽快申请签证，安排行程。
关于目前从中国直飞赴美机票的情况如下，仅供参考，详情请咨询各航空公司：
- MU587 PVG-JFK 每周一二
- CZ327 CAN-LAX 每周四六
- MF829 XMN-LAX 每周三日
- CA987 PEK-LAX 每周日
- CA769 SZX-LAX 每周二
- UA858 PVG-ICN-SFO 每周一四六日
- DL288 PVG-ICN-SEA 每周四六
- DL284 PVG-ICN-DTW 每周三日
其他转机地点也可以考虑：
- 澳门 – 台北 – 美国
- 韩国转机
- 日本转机
- 欧洲转机到美东
不推荐的路线：
- 加拿大转机：各种入境禁令隔离政策很混乱，可能被拒绝登机或滞留。
- 美国航空：AA128 PVG-ICN-DFW路线不稳定，不推荐。
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