President Trump has imposed ban on H-1B, H-2B, L-1A, and J-1 visas entry beginning June 24, 2020 through December 31, 2020 with limited exemptions as the administration is addressing a major economic fallout, including high unemployment among Americans, amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
The ban, however, does not affect foreign nationals holding valid United States visas or other travel documents, or those already present in the United States as of the effective date of the ban.
H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff.
L-1A visas are meant for managers and executives who work for large corporations.
J-1 visas are issued to teachers, research scholars, professors, interns, trainees, camp counselors, summer work travel participants, dependent spouses and children.
Trump’s proclamation means that many foreign nationals with plans to enter the United States to begin work in H-1B, H-2B, L-1A or J-1 status, as well as their accompanying or joining dependents, may be unable to do so until the ban expires, unless they are sponsored for and obtain a waiver of the entry restrictions, or unless the ban is enjoined by a court.
