Starting November 8, 2021, foreign nationals traveling to the US by air must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 under a presidential proclamation issued on October 25, 2021.
The new policy will apply to all inbound, adult air travelers to the US regardless of whether or not they are traveling from a COVID-19 travel-restricted region. Documentation of vaccination will be collected by the airlines. Travelers will not apply for clearance at a US Consulate or Embassy unless requesting an exception for humanitarian or emergency travel. These requests will be forwarded by the US Consulate to the CDC for review. As of this writing, the CDC is still in the process of finalizing the application process for humanitarian or emergency exceptions. Exceptions under the proclamation order include the following:
- Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel;
- Children under 18 years of age – documentation reviewed by airline;
- Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine – a letter from a licensed physician documenting the medical contraindication reviewed by airline;
- Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials – official documentation (e.g., clinical trial letter, participant card, or modified vaccination card) of clinical trial participation reviewed by airline;
- Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception – requires CDC approval by applying through US Consulate or calling 888-407-4747 from US or Canada; from overseas: +1-202-501-4444;
- Persons with valid visas [excluding B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas] who are citizens of a foreign country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability – passport and visa from a country listed on the CDC website here; and
- Persons whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, or Secretary of Homeland Security (or their designees) – requires official U.S. Government letter (paper or digital) documenting approval of the exception.
Fully vaccinated adult travelers, including US citizens and permanent residents, will need to present a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of travel to fly to the US. Adults qualifying for exemptions to the vaccine requirement must produce a negative COVID test taken no more than 24 hours before travel. Testing requirements for children can be viewed here. Airlines will also be implementing new contact tracing practices for all passengers. The fully vaccinated policy follows close on the heels of DHS policy changes announced on October 12, 2021 for travel across the US land borders. Commencing in November, fully vaccinated travelers from Mexico or Canada may enter the United States at land and ferry ports of entry for non-essential reasons. The DHS policy includes a second phase that will require all inbound foreign national travelers crossing US land or ferry points of entry – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination beginning in early January 2022. What vaccines are acceptable and how can I document this? Currently, only the following vaccines, approved by the FDA will satisfy the vaccination requirement for air travel to the US:
- Janssen/J&J;
- Pfizer-BioNTech;
- Moderna;
- AstraZeneca;
- Covishield; and
- BIBP/Sinopharm; Sinovac
The airlines will accept digital or paper documentation as evidence of vaccination status. Documentation must match the traveler’s biographical information on their travel document, and include the name of the source certifying the record, vaccine manufacturer, and date(s) the vaccine was given. Who is exempt from the vaccine requirement for air travel? Exemptions to the new vaccination requirement exist for the following groups:
- US citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and immigrant visa holders;
- Anyone under the age of 18;
- Nationals of limited vaccine availability countries, as determined by the CDC. *NOTE: this exemption does not extend to those pursuing B-1/B-2 travel to the US;
- Individuals with medical contraindications to receiving the COVID vaccination as recognized by the CDC;
- Individuals whose travel to the US has been deemed to be in the “national interest” by the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, or Transportation Department.
The full list of exempt groups can be viewed here. I am fully vaccinated now. Can I enter the US before November 8, 2021 if I am traveling from a COVID-19 travel-restricted country? No, there are currently no provisions that permit entry into the US by fully vaccinated travelers from travel restricted countries. The requirements for a National Interest Exception (NIE) or transiting through a non-travel restricted country for 14 days prior to entering the US continue to apply. After November 8, can I still enter the US if I am not vaccinated but have an NIE or transited in a non-travel restricted country for 14 days before onward travel to the US? No, foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated or meet one of the exemption criteria above in order to enter the US by air travel on or after November 8. When am I considered fully vaccinated? The CDC considers an individual to be fully vaccinated 14 days after the last dose of an FDA approved vaccine series. For individuals who received vaccine doses from different manufacturers at least 17 days must have passed between the doses. I have religious grounds from taking the vaccine. Will there be exceptions for me? Religious or moral objections do not qualify for an exemption. Will I still have to provide COVID-19 test results before traveling? Will I need to quarantine when I enter the US? The CDC will continue to require fully vaccinated air travelers coming to the United States from abroad, including US citizens, to have a negative COVID test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the US. Fully vaccinated travelers will not need to self-quarantine in the US. How does this impact visa appointment availability at US Consulates? Funding and Consular staffing shortages are attributed to visa appointment backlogs. Consular staff must also engage in Consular activities other than visa processing which impact capacity.
Keep FSVS Informed of International Travel Plans
FSVS is closely monitoring the travel restrictions and requirements. Please let FSVS know of your international travel plans as far in advance as possible. This will allow us to provide you with current information and answer any questions you may have.