Update on Travel to the United States

Update on Travel to the United States

On Monday, September 20th, we saw an announcement regarding an update on travel for Europeans to the United States. Further details will be released to the public in the upcoming weeks; however, below please find the most recent information available to the public in full:

Vaccine Requirements for International Travelers

On September 20, the White House has announced that from the beginning of early November, all adult foreign nationals traveling to the United States by air must demonstrate proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. However, as of early November, this requirement will end the need for travelers from certain geographic regions to obtain a National Interest Exception (NIE).

The new travel rules are that adult foreign nationals will be required to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination before boarding a U.S.-bound international flight.

However, fully vaccinated aircraft passengers departing from any foreign country with a destination in the United States will continue to be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of departure (or written or electronic documentation of recovery from COVID-19 after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in the form of a positive viral test result and a letter from a licensed health care provider or public health official stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel).

Update on the National Interest Exceptions (NIE)

Foreign nationals from certain geographic regions will still need to obtain a National Interest Exception (NIE) under the current presidential proclamations in order to travel to the United States. It is recommended that you keep track of the geographic regions which will require a National Interest Exception (NIE) in early November at the following link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news.html

Qualified Vaccines under the CDC

For frequently asked questions about vaccines, we invite you to visit the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

Travelers must look to the CDC guide on which vaccines will be accepted as part of their standard role in determining who is considered fully vaccinated for the purposes of recommended or required international travel protocols.

For Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) of the United States

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will continue to strongly recommend against air travel by U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are not fully vaccinated. With the new order, unvaccinated U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who return to the United States will be required to do the following before boarding a U.S.-bound flight:

1.     Provide proof of a negative test result taken within one day prior to their departure; 

2.     Provide proof that they have purchased a viral test to be taken after arrival.

Information for Visa Applicants and U.S. Citizen Travelers

More information will be provided for visa applicants and U.S. citizen travelers as it becomes available at the following website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html.