Saturday 27 / July / 2024
Muscat: A Dubai-based airline has advised passengers planning to travel to the United States to consult with embassies to ensure that they are legally entitled to enter the US as travel restrictions will come into effect from Thursday.
“We strongly encourage all guests who are nationals of these countries to consult with their nearest United States embassy or consulate to ensure that they are legally entitled to enter the United States, particularly as the United States entry requirements are subject to change and may be subject to further interpretation by United States administrative agencies and courts,” Etihad Airway said in its statement.
A revised executive order - effective on March 16, 2017 - implements a ban on nationals of Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and Libya from entering the United States for 90 days (120 days for refugees) unless they held a valid United States entry visa as of January 27, 2017.
However, the airline said that the order does not apply to lawful permanent residents of the United States (“Green Card” holders), dual nationals, diplomatic or diplomatic-type visa holders, and certain individuals who have previously been granted asylum in the United States.
“The order also permits certain individuals that have “a continuous period of work, study or other long-term activity” and those with “significant business or professional obligations” to apply for a waiver, which may be granted by the United States on a case-by-case basis,” the airline added.
According to a report from a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. State Department data, a total of 2,466 refugees from six countries under new travel restrictions – Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – have resettled in the United States since Donald Trump became president.
“The number of refugees from the six travel-restricted countries represents 32% of all refugees who have entered the U.S. since Trump took office,” report added.
