September 27, 2021
U.S. to Lift COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in Early November 2021
This message relates to the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions to the U.S. If the information does not apply to your situation, you may disregard it.
On September 20, 2021, the White House announced its plans to ease travel restrictions on international travelers coming into the United States beginning in early November 2021. The current geographic COVID-19 related travel bans implemented for individuals from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, U.K., Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, and India will be rescinded. In place of these bans, all international travelers will be required to prove that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of boarding a flight to the United States. The CDC will provide information regarding which vaccines and what proof of vaccination will be accepted. Fully vaccinated international travelers will not be required to quarantine.
Limited exceptions to the vaccination requirement will be available to: children; COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants; and humanitarian exceptions for people traveling for an important reason and who lack access to vaccination in a timely manner. Individuals who are exempted from the vaccine requirement may be required to become vaccinated upon arrival.
The administration will also be making additional recommendations to stop the spread of COVID-19, including: 1) continuing the mask mandate on flights through January 18, 2022; 2) expanding pre-departure and post-arrival testing requirements; and 3) implanting a contact tracing order for airlines.
This policy means that the U.S. will no longer be implementing the current 212(f) travel policies for individual countries as of early November, which required an approved National Interest Exception for countries subject to COVID-19 related travel bans.