The U.S. no longer requires air travelers to show proof of a negative test


A traveler flying to the U.S. during Covid

The Biden administration recently lifted its requirement that all air travelers entering the United States show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

If you're ready to visit loved ones in the United States or you simply want to sightsee, here's what you need to know before you travel.

COVId-19 faqs: traveling to the united states

Do I need to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test when entering the U.S.?

No, you do not need to present a negative test result before boarding a flight to the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted the Covid-19 testing requirement on June 12, 2022.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter the U.S.?

Most foreign nationals entering the U.S. will need to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination before boarding a U.S.-bound flight. Those applying for a green card will also need to show proof of full vaccination when attending the immigration medical exam.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated if I am an American citizen or lawful permanent resident?

If you're a U.S. citizen or green card holder you don't need to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test.

Who is exempt from the vaccination requirements?

The following groups do not need to show proof of vaccination:

  • U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents
  • Children under the age of 18
  • Certain Covid-19 vaccine trial participants
  • Those traveling for emergency or humanitarian reasons
  • Those traveling from countries with low vaccine availability
  • Members of the military and their immediate families
  • Airline and ship crew
  • Diplomats and their families

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information.

Which vaccines are accepted?

Any vaccines approved by the CDC or those approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be accepted. Currently, these are:

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

See the CDC website for more details.

What are acceptable forms of proof of vaccination?

International travelers should provide a paper or digital vaccine record to airlines before flying. The record should include their full name and date of birth, the vaccine type, and the dates when the vaccines were given.

Do children need to get a pre-departure Covid test?

No, the Biden administration no longer requires that any travelers to the U.S. show proof of a negative Covid-19 test before entering.

Disclaimer: The contents of this post were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing. Immigration is constantly changing, and old information often becomes outdated, including procedures, timelines, prices, and more. Take note of the publish date. For archival purposes, these posts will remain published, even if new information renders them obsolete. Do not make important life decisions based on this content. No part of this post should be considered legal advice, as RapidVisa is not a law firm. This content is provided free of charge for informational purposes only. If anything herein conflicts with an official government website, the official government website shall prevail.

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