Emergency Assistance Related to COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

Country / Territory
Related contacts
Related contacts
Related contacts

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed inconsistencies in how travel rules and regulations were implemented and enforced by airport security agents and airline personnel. A client’s employee was traveling to Germany with his family, including four young children, and airline personnel misunderstood the German regulations in relation to COVID-19 requirements for dependents. Our client’s family was denied the ability to board the flight, as the airline wanted instruction directly from the German government.
- Prior to the employee’s travel date, we held a one-on-one prep call to discuss their personalized plan and prepare them for any challenges they might encounter.
- We also prepared a Comfort Letter for the employee to carry and share with travel personnel, if needed, to explain the law, entry requirements and mandatory documents for entry.
- Having been briefed on the protocols for emergency situations, the employee immediately called Fragomen when they were unable to board their flight. Together, we developed a plan to meet the airline’s request.
- We provided our client with a letter obtained from the German Consulate in San Francisco overnight confirming their eligibility to enter Germany, as well as copies of the correct regulation from the German embassy.

With this proof that they indeed had the correct immigration and COVID related documentation, our client’s family was successfully able to travel to their destination.
Country / Territory
Related contacts
Related contacts
Related contacts
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Counsel Brian Hunt discussed US Customs and Border Protection's proposed changes to the ESTA application process regarding social media and additional personal information.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Manager Maja Sugui outlines key legalisation requirements when the Apostille Convention does not apply or when country-specific exceptions exist.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper highlights that visitors to the US under the visa waiver program for the 2026 World Cup could face a more extensive ESTA application process.
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and K. Edward Raleigh outline how recent US visa policy changes affect H-1B and H-4 workers and how employers are adjusting compliance and work authorization processes.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer emphasizes the importance of legal support in helping skilled professionals navigate work-based immigration to Germany.
Blog post
The UK expands its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2025, broadening eligibility for global graduates and entrepreneurs while introducing new requirements and application caps
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the US proposal to expand social media screening for visitors from visa waiver countries and the broader shift it represents in travel vetting.
Video
The latest Mobility Minute features Manager Alex Hood discussing recent updates to the UK’s High Potential Individual route, including expanded university eligibility, a new annual cap and modernized governance measures.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses how the UAE’s flexible migration policies attract talent and support a competitive labour market.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler notes that the US expansion of social-media screening to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will involve a more detailed review of their online activity.
Media mentions
Partner Edward Raleigh highlights the need for companies to prepare for increased H-1B enforcement and ensure compliance with US worker requirements.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.
Media mentions
Counsel Brian Hunt discussed US Customs and Border Protection's proposed changes to the ESTA application process regarding social media and additional personal information.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Manager Maja Sugui outlines key legalisation requirements when the Apostille Convention does not apply or when country-specific exceptions exist.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper highlights that visitors to the US under the visa waiver program for the 2026 World Cup could face a more extensive ESTA application process.
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and K. Edward Raleigh outline how recent US visa policy changes affect H-1B and H-4 workers and how employers are adjusting compliance and work authorization processes.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer emphasizes the importance of legal support in helping skilled professionals navigate work-based immigration to Germany.
Blog post
The UK expands its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2025, broadening eligibility for global graduates and entrepreneurs while introducing new requirements and application caps
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the US proposal to expand social media screening for visitors from visa waiver countries and the broader shift it represents in travel vetting.
Video
The latest Mobility Minute features Manager Alex Hood discussing recent updates to the UK’s High Potential Individual route, including expanded university eligibility, a new annual cap and modernized governance measures.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses how the UAE’s flexible migration policies attract talent and support a competitive labour market.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler notes that the US expansion of social-media screening to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will involve a more detailed review of their online activity.
Media mentions
Partner Edward Raleigh highlights the need for companies to prepare for increased H-1B enforcement and ensure compliance with US worker requirements.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.

![Porthole Headshot image of Fragomen [Matawan][Partner][LisaLegrandGregory]](https://www.fragomen.com/a/web/kSZVRNSHbyKBDiUwURVTAa/39SafD/lisa_gregory_porthole_preferred.jpg)