Dear students and exchange visitors,

We are writing to let you know of an update from the U.S. Department of State for travelers arriving to the U.S. from Schengen Area countries of Europe, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. If you are traveling from these countries on an F-1 visa you do not need to obtain a National Interest Exception, provided you already have a valid F-1 visa that you are traveling on. Travelers on F-1 visas automatically qualify for an exception to the entry restriction. 

See the announcement here: 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/national-interest-exceptions-from-certain-travelers-from-the-schengen-area-uk-and-ireland.html

It appears that J-1 exchange visitors with valid visas will still need a National Interest Exception to travel from these countries, and can request one by contacting the U.S. embassy in the country you are traveling from.  

It is unclear whether this general exception for F-1 students applies to travelers transiting through these countries, or whether a J-1 exchange visitor will need a National Interest Exception to transit through Europe. Also, even though F-1 visa travel to the United States from Europe appears now to be okay, you still may not have been in one of the other countries subject to entry-restriction in the 14 days prior to your arrival in the U.S. (Brazil, China, Iran). 

Thank you and we will keep you updated with any new developments.