National Interest Exemptions for Sports Leagues and Organizations
Sherrod Sports Visas is proud to present our Sports National Interest Exemption practice for our United States-based sports leagues, promotors, and event organizations. In early 2020, the United States Department of Homeland Security made a decision to suspend travel from several countries that are considered high risk for COVID-19 health issues. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a public concern, we can expect the travel ban to continue in the following countries for the foreseeable future:
Department of Homeland Security National Interest Exemption for Certain Sports Leagues and Organizations
On May 22, 2020, Acting Secretary Chad Wolf of the Department of Homeland Security signed an executive order to make room for an exemption for certain sports leagues to get professional athletes and their essential support staff into the United States. Clearing the way for foreign-national athletes and coaches from COVID-19-designated countries to enter the United States. However, at the time of the order, the policy only mentioned the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, United States Tennis Association, Professional Golfers Association, and a few other mainstream sports.
Recently, Sherrod Sports Visas has received a direct contact to make applications for National Interest for Sports Leagues and Organizations to be added to this list held at the White House. This list serves two important purposes for sports organizations and event promoters to get athletes, coaches, and dependents into the United States:
Foreign nationals on this list will have priority to request emergency interviews at consulate offices for a visa even at consulates that are completely closed on certain occasions.
Foreign nationals on this list will be exempt from all Customs and Border Control units on attempting entry into the United States.
How Does this Help the Current Process of Getting Athletes into the United States from COVID-19 Banned Countries?
Athletes on this list, their families, and essential support staff will not have to make an argument to be allowed in by Customs and Border Protection if they are in a COVID-19 Banned Country. They would be included on a list provided by the White House to all of the consulates.
For persons on this list, getting an expedited appointment for him would be super easy. Congressional Inquires would not be necessary to obtain expedited interviews and Consular National Interest Exemptions
Currently, to obtain the same results, presentations need to prepared and sent to both Consular Post for the interview and a separate argument to Customs and Border Patrol to come to the United States. These arguments need to be made at separate posts where they seem to all behave differently. The kicker is, technically, CBP can say that individual arguments for National Interest Exemptions are not permitted for organizations on the National Interest Exemption list. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.
We are currently engaging clients interested in applying for the Sports National Interest Waiver, and the following information is helpful to make the petition to the US Customs and Border Control:
Information between the sports organization and their broadcast partners
Information on revenue and staff during most recent events
Viewership information from most recent events
Economic impact analysis
Historical impact of the sports organization on the sport and in the United States
Plans for hosting events over the next 6 months
Information on any local congressional contacts
Detailed explanation of safety measures to make sure events are safe during the coronavirus outbreak
If you are interested in applying for the Sports National Exemption Waiver, please contact our office at 310-209-8454 or email us at info@oaklg.com
For individual athletes, please visit this page to seek assistance with consular or border patrol issues https://www.sherrodsportsvisas.com/sports-travel-ban-exemption