The US has now reopened for flight students, seeking admission under an F or M student visa, coming from the Schengen Area, UK & ROI.
See notice posted 16 July on US Bureau of Consular Affairs website (
link):
National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland
Certain business travelers, investors, treaty traders, academics, and students may qualify for National Interest Exceptions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9993 (Schengen Area) and 9996 (United Kingdom and Ireland). Qualified business and student travelers who are applying for or have valid visas or ESTA authorization may travel to the United States even as PPs 9993 and 9996 remain in effect.
Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 and M-1 visas, do not need to seek a national interest exception to travel. Students from those areas who are traveling on a J-1 may contact the nearest embassy or consulate to initiate an exception request.