October 29, 2021

U.S. will allow entry of vaccinated foreign tourists starting November 8, launching the new international travel system.

• The United States is launching a new travel system on November 8, 2021.
• Foreign air travelers, as well as foreigners arriving by land or passenger ferry, must show proof of full vaccination.
• The new travel system also adds stricter testing requirements for unvaccinated U.S. travelers.

Starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on November 8, 2021, the U.S.-specific 14-day COVID-19 travel restrictions will be lifted. The White House first announced on Friday the 15th that a new air travel system would take effect more than 20 months after the country began imposing travel restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

President Joe Biden's Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic states that, on November 8, 2021, entry by air will be suspended for nonimmigrants (non-U.S. citizens, immigrants, or green card holders) who are not fully vaccinated, with certain exceptions and requirements. The proclamation does not apply to passengers already on airplanes as of 12:01 a.m. ET on November 8, and clearly states that the new restrictions will not affect visa issuance.

The Proclamation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC Director, to implement the Proclamation and define all requirements, including but not limited to what constitutes ‘full vaccination,’ how individuals must demonstrate compliance with all applicable CDC recommendations, and which countries will be listed as having limited vaccine availability.

Vaccinated foreign air travelers must also present a negative coronavirus test result taken within three days before travel to board a plane bound for the United States.

How can travelers show proof of vaccination?

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will enforce the new travel requirements and check travelers’ proof of vaccination. Foreign nationals will also need proper travel documentation to enter the country.

Foreign travelers may show proof of vaccination on paper or in digital format. The CDC will release more details in the coming days about acceptable documentation at the borders. Travelers are encouraged to carry both physical and digital proof of vaccination.

What about land borders with Mexico?

The new travel rules will also apply to foreigners arriving by land or passenger ferry.

Starting November 8, fully vaccinated foreign nationals may cross land borders for non-essential reasons, such as tourism or visiting friends and family. Border entry rules will change again in early January, and all travelers—including those traveling for essential reasons—will be required to show proof of full vaccination.

Foreign travelers may show proof of vaccination on paper or in digital format. CBP agents will randomly check travelers' vaccination documents. Foreign nationals will also need proper travel documentation to enter the country.

Which vaccines are accepted by the United States for travel?

Foreign travelers may show proof of vaccination on paper or in digital format. CBP agents will randomly check travelers' vaccination documents. Foreign nationals will also need proper travel documentation to enter the country.

The FDA has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use during the pandemic: Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer-BioNTech, the latter of which has received full FDA approval.

WHO-approved vaccines are:

• Johnson & Johnson
• Moderna
• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield
• Sinopharm
• Sinovac

A person is considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks (14 days) after their dose of a single-dose accepted COVID-19 vaccine.
• 2 weeks (14 days) after their second dose of an accepted 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or
• 2 weeks (14 days) after receiving the full series of an ‘active’ (non-placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the AstraZeneca or Novavax clinical trials in the U.S.
• 2 weeks (14 days) after receiving 2 doses of any combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

If you do not meet these criteria, you are NOT considered fully vaccinated.

The list of nonimmigrants exempted from the full vaccination requirement includes

• Airline crew members (or maritime crew) whose operators adhere to all CDC guidelines;
• Individuals with certain diplomatic-type visas;
• Individuals whose age makes vaccination inappropriate;
• Individuals participating in certain clinical trials;
• Individuals for whom vaccination is medically contraindicated;
• Individuals for whom vaccination is medically contraindicated;
• Persons (except those seeking entry with B status) entering from countries with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability, including countries with less than 10% of their population fully vaccinated, or as determined by the CDC;
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, their spouses and children; and any noncitizen or group of noncitizens whose entry is in the national interest as determined by the Secretaries of State, Transportation, Homeland Security, or their designees.
• Present a negative COVID-19 test result before departure;

If a person qualifies for entry based on at least one of the exemptions, they must still:

• Wear a face mask throughout the journey;
• Arrange for post-arrival COVID-19 testing;
• Show that measures for self-quarantine or self-isolation upon arrival have been taken; and agree to be vaccinated within 60 days of arrival if medically appropriate, unless their stay is deemed brief enough, they are participating in certain clinical trials, have already received an authorized COVID-19 vaccine in their country, or the CDC determines vaccination is not warranted.