Key Points
- New COVID-19 entry requirements are effective as of June 12, 2022
- Vaccinated non-immigrant travelers are no longer required to take a COVID-19 test before departure to the US
- The travel requirements only apply to air travelers
- The CDC will revisit its decision in 90 days to determine if testing requirements must change
- Only fully vaccinated individuals who are not US citizens, permanent residents, or US nationals can enter the country, with limited exceptions
Overview
As of 12:01 am ET on Sunday, June 12, 2022, the US no longer requires vaccinated foreign travelers entering the country by air to have a pre-departure COVID-19 test and negative result before boarding a flight to the US. The changes follow previous rules issued for travelers entering the US.
What are the Changes?
The decision to relax the entry requirements was made by officials based on scientific data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has reportedly determined that pre-departure testing is no longer necessary for non-immigrant travelers, who are currently required to show evidence of an entire course of vaccinations. Reports suggest that the CDC will reassess its decision in 90 days to determine if the testing requirement needs to be reinstated, which could occur if there is a new variant of concern.
The new changes apply only to travelers entering the US by air. Requirements for travelers entering the country by land or ferry will remain unchanged. Persons who are not US citizens, permanent residents, or US nationals can only enter the US currently if they are fully vaccinated with limited exceptions.
Written by: Lucy Halse, Content Marketing Associate, Envoy Global
Edited by: Dmitri Pikman, Supervising Attorney, Corporate Immigration Partners
Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
