Beginning November 8, 2021, adult foreign nationals traveling to the United States by air, with limited exceptions, must demonstrate proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and must also provide a negative COVID-19 test taken in the past 3 days.
This new global travel system replaces the existing country-by-country restrictions, putting in place a consistent approach worldwide. Airlines will be responsible for verifying the vaccination and testing status of their passengers.
Unvaccinated travelers – whether U.S. citizens, LPRs, or the small number of excepted unvaccinated foreign nationals – will now need to show documentation of a negative viral test from a sample taken within 1 day of travel to the United States.
Vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and World Health Organization emergency use listed vaccines. To demonstrate negative COVID-19 tests, both nucleic acid amplification tests, such as a PCR test, and antigen tests are permissible.
Importantly, children under 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirement. However, children aged 2 to 17 must take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. If a child is not fully vaccinated and traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, they can show proof of a negative viral test from a sample taken within 3 days before departure. If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, they will have to show proof of a negative viral test from a sample taken within 1 day of departure.
Updates can be found at the U.S. Department of State website: Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for International Travel
For additional information, please contact Mechelle Zarou at mzarou@shumaker.com; Maria del Carmen Ramos at mramos@shumaker.com; or, Ali Latif at alatif@shumaker.com.