Exclusive: State Department says Berisha case involved travel waivers

The US State Department has told Gazeta TemA that travel waivers have been issued in cases linked to section 7031(c), the rule used for Sali Berisha’s 2021 designation.

TemA asked the department about Berisha’s claim that his US “non grata” status had been removed.

In its reply, the State Department said waivers had been granted for some people sanctioned under 7031(c) when they served an important US national interest.

It did not say in the quoted response that Berisha’s designation had been formally lifted.

A waiver can allow someone to enter the US for a specific purpose, even if an entry ban remains in place. Such waivers are usually limited to cases such as official meetings, UN travel, medical treatment or other exceptional reasons.

Berisha was designated in 2021 over alleged significant corruption.