US extends vaccine requirement for non-US travelers until January 8
The U.S. is open to tourists from all countries without testing requirement but vaccination is still required for all non-US citizens/residents.
US Reopening Tourism – LATEST UPDATES
November 10: TSA extended the vaccine mandate for non-US visitors
On November 7, the U.S. extended vaccine mandate for travelers until January 8. All non-US visitors still need to show a proof of the full vaccination against Covid-19. (Source: precisionvaccinations.com)
How can unvaccinated travel to the U.S.?
The only way unvaccinated travelers can visit the U.S. is to meet one of the exceptions. You can find all the details about exceptions on the C.D.C website.
Exceptions:
- Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel
- Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine
- Children under 18 years of age
- Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception
- Sea crew members traveling with to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa
- 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 (See list for updates effective June 28, 2022)
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age)
- 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)
U.S. Reopening FAQs
Yes, U.S. requires proof of a Covid vaccine for land border crossinngs until at least January 8.
No, the testing required to enter the U.S. was dropped in June 2022 for all travelers entering.
Yes, the U.S. is fully open for regular tourism but the Covid-19 vaccine is still required.
The United States is still requiring Covid vaccine from non-US travelers and TSA has recently extended the mandate until at least January 8.
Even tho Covid restrictions and requirements are slowly losing importance around the world, there are more than 100 countries that still require Covid vaccines or tests for travel, and the U.S. is one of them.
November 2: Puerto Rico Officials scrap COVID-19-related domestic restrictions as of Oct. 31
Puerto Rican officials just lifted the island’s COVID-19-related domestic regulations as of Oct. 31. Facemasks are no longer necessary for attendees at events with more than 1,000 participants. Additionally, event goers are no longer needed to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result upon admittance.
Travelers must continue to adhere to the federal regulations for travel from countries other than the United States and its territories. Nonresident foreign nationals aged 18 and up must be properly vaccinated before flying into Puerto Rico. Vaccination is not required for children under the age of 18, and it is not required for air travel from the mainland United States.
October – The United States, the last North American country requesting proof of vaccination
The United States is officially the last North American country to prevent unvaccinated travelers from entering the country.
As of today, visitors to the United States must present proof of a COVI-19 vaccination certificate to be allowed entry.
Over the past two years, the U.S. has banned travelers from the European Schengen area, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil from entering the country at various times.
But while it was once supported by its best allies, notably Canada, it now stands alone in its quest for Covid security.
June – US Lifts Covid-19 Testing for International Travelers
Travelers to the United States are no longer required to submit a negative Covid 19 test taken within one day prior to departure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated on Friday that this requirement would be removed beginning early Sunday morning. The health service stated that it will continue to monitor the pandemic’s progress and reevaluate the need for testing if the situation changes.
“This step is possible because of the progress we’ve made in our fight against COVID-19,” said the U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
How safe is it to travel to the States at the moment?
According to America’s COVID Warning System, the country is overcoming the 4th wave of coronavirus infections.
COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
As of October 5, the U.S. has recorded 98,308,956 cases and 1,085,366 the highest death toll in the world.
Some of the current carrier flying from Europe to the U.S.
- Lufthansa United
- Air Europa
- Royal Air Maroc
- Air France
- Alitalia, Delta Operated by Alitalia CityLiner
- Delta
- KLM, Delta Virgin Atlantic
- Lufthansa, Air Canada 0perated by Air Canada Express – Sky Regional
- Lufthansa, Air Canada operated by Air Canada Express – Jazz
- Lufthansa, United operated by Mesa Airlines DBA United Express
- Tap Air Portugal
- Turkish Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
US reopening borders for tourism: Update Archives
September – US still requires Covid vaccine from non-US citizens
As of September 19, proof of Covid vaccination is still required for entry into the United States for all non-US citizens. There is no recent update from the government on when they are planning to drop this requirement.
February 18 – The CDC considers lifting indoor mask-wearing mandate across the US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director may recommend the US to lift the need to wear face coverings in indoor settings, said CDC Head Dr. Rochelle Walensky during a White House briefing.
“We want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when these metrics are better, and then have the ability to reach for them again should things worsen.”
The CDC will review the number of severe cases and hospital capacity rather before making a final decision.
Also read: More US States Lifting Mask Mandates as COVID-19 Drops
January 15 – The US issues a “Do-not-travel” notice against Canada and Singapore
The CDC has issued the highest travel health advisory to Canada, Singapore and Curaçao due to the high incidence in COVID-19 cases in the previous week.
The CDC currently lists about 80 destinations throughout the world as Level Four.
Canadian health officials forecast the Omicron wave peak at 170,000 cases a day this month, with 2,000 hospitalizations also per day.
The CDC will revisit this travel advice on Monday.
December 22 – US considers lifting travel ban on Southern African countries
The US is reportedly considering lifting its ban on Southern African countries over the next few days.
According to the government, “we’re letting in people from other countries that have as much or more infection than the Southern African countries.”
“We likely are going to pull back on that pretty soon because we have enough infection in our own country,” said Dr. Fauci at the National Press Club.
In less than three weeks, the Omicron variant already accounts for over 73% of the new infections in the U.S. said the CDC on Monday.
December 4 – The US government tightens travel restrictions for all travelers
All international arrivals are now required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 1 day of departure.
“Our doctors believe tightening testing requirements for pre-departure will help catch more cases, potential cases of people who may be positive and inside the country,” a White House official said.
Also, domestic travelers using all types of public transportation such as trains, cruise ships or domestic flights will have to wear a face mask at all times or face fines of up to USD 3,000.
November 28 – The U.S. to ban all travel from South Africa and other 7 countries from Monday
The U.S. will ban travel from South Africa and other seven countries starting Monday as a new heavily mutated coronavirus variant emerges, announced White House officials on Friday.
Other countries included in the restriction are Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.
National and residents are allowed to come back.
“As we move forward,” said the President in a statement, “we will continue to be guided by what the science and my medical team advises.”
November 21 – The U.S. makes booster shots available to all people 18 and above
With an increasing number of countries requiring passengers to provide proof of booster shots to give them access to a number of tourist venues, the U.S.’s move to make booster doses available for most citizens brings relief for international travelers.
“Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose,” says the CDC.
Despite the fact that more than 195 million Americans are fully vaccinated, Covid cases are on the rise in some locations as vaccine effectiveness declines over time.
The Pfizer booster dose was found to be 95 percent effective in a clinical trial involving 10,000 people aged 16 and up.
November 13 – Travelers experiencing long wait times at U.S. airports
Following the reopening on Nov. 8, large numbers of overseas travelers have begun to arrive in American airports.
Although this is wonderful news for families and the tourism sector, 21 months of closure did not seem to be enough time for American airports to prepare for such a large influx of passengers all at once.
Thousands of travelers have complained about having to wait over two hours to get through customs. Things are expected to worsen as the Christmas holidays approach.
“The expectation is that we could see wait times of up to eight hours,” said Sherry Stein, the leader (SITA).
November 5 – The U.S. to welcome EU travelers as soon as ports of entry open on Nov. 8
Beginning Monday, the United States will drop entrance restrictions for vaccinated EU and Asian travelers, putting an end to historic restrictions that have kept the country partially isolated from the rest of the world for almost 21 months.
According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. will reopen its air and land borders as soon as ports of entry start operations on Nov. 8
That means that border crossings that are open 24 hours a day will accept international travelers from midnight, while the rest will open during regular business hours.
October 15 – U.S. Government announces the reopening date for the European Union
White House has confirmed the reopening date for international tourism, current travel curbs will be lifted on November 8. Both land and air borders will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers.
Non-vaccinated air travelers will be also able to enter but they will need to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test.
The ban on non-vaccinated travelers will still remain in place on the Mexican and Canadian land borders.
October 20 – The U.S. is set to reopen land borders with Canada and Mexico in “early November”
The U.S. land borders, which have been shut down since March 2020, will reopen to Canadian and Mexican visitors at some point in November as long as they can prove they are fully vaccinated.
“We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner,” Homeland Security Secretary said in a statement.
Essential travelers such as truck commercial drivers, students, and other essential personnel will have until January to present their vaccine certificates.
October 10 – U.S. Reveals the vaccines it will accept for EU travelers
There was a lot of uncertainty over which brand of vaccines the US would accept as a valid entry requirement for EU travelers, once it open its borders.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed the country will accept the following:
- Moderna
- Pfizer/BioNTech
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
- AstraZeneca, including Covishield
- Sinopharm (Beijing)
- Sinovac
The CDC also informed that more information will be released as soon as the travel protocols are completed.
The reopening date has not been announced yet.
October 2 – US, Canada, UK, and other G7 leaders met to discuss the future of international travel
Transport and health ministers of Canada, Germany, the U.K, the U.S, Japan, Italy, and France virtually met to discuss the future of international travel on Thursday.
Among other things, the U.S. committed to a number of principles “for a safe and sustainable reopening of travel.” These include trusting scientific evidence, accepting both digital and non-digital test and vaccine passports, protecting users’ private data, and supporting cleaner technologies for land, air, and maritime transport.
Sept. 24 – The U.S. lifts the ban on European Travel but reopening date remains unknown
This week, the U.S. announced that its long ban on European travel will end in “early November”. But so far, they haven’t provided an exact reopening date yet.
The head of the White House’s COVID-19 Response Team, Jeff Zients, said that all travelers must be fully vaccinated, no exceptions.
The CDC will order commercial airlines to collect information from U.S.-bound visitors including their phone number and email address to act as a “public health surveillance system.”
More information about the date and the requirements is expected to be revealed over the next few weeks.
September 16 – The U.S. works on a “new system for international travel” aiming to reopen borders
White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said on Wednesday the country is working on a “new system for international travel” that will include contract tracing for international visitors when the country lifts its travel ban.
The government aims to replace the current restrictions with a “safer, stronger, and sustainable” system.
The official did not reveal when the new system will be put into motion or the metrics it will use.
September 21 – The U.S. to reopen for vaccinated EU and other travelers in November, says government
Jeff Zients, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, announced that the U.S. will reopen to visitors from the European Union in “early November.”
Additionally, fully vaccinated travelers from other 33 countries including China, India and Brazil will also be allowed to come back.
“We will move to this much stricter global system, so we will have a consistent approach across all countries,” Zients said.
Visitors will need to present proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test.
September 10 – Nine EU countries have reimposed entry restrictions for American travelers in the last 10 days
On August 31, the European Council recommended removing the U.S. from the “save travel list.” Since then, 11 European countries have taken a stand on the U.S. situation.
As of today, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic and France have enforced additional entry restrictions for Americans.
Netherlands, Spain, Czech Republic and France not only increased their restrictions but also completely barred the unvaccinated.
Sweden and Bulgaria have indefinitely closed their borders to all U.S. arrivals. Croatia, Portugal and Ireland will remain open.
August 31 – U.S. Updates Travel Advisory For Canada, Puerto Rico and Other Countries
Seven countries were moved up to Level 4 travel warning since they surpassed the limit of 500 new cases per 100,000 population over the last 28 days.
The affected countries this time were Switzerland, Saint Lucia, North Macedonia, Laos and Estonia due to their COVID-19 reports; and Oman and Azerbaijan because of raising concerns about terrorism.
Additionally, other 12 countries were moved up or down to the Level 3 travel advisory (high level of COVID).
Some of them because of their improvements in the fight against the pandemic, and some others like Canada and Germany because their efforts are not producing the expected results.
August 19 – U.S. officials and border mayors demand the White House to reopen international borders
A number of U.S. officials and border mayors are joining forces to request the White House to lift the travel restriction that has been in place for 18 months severely affecting their local economies.
A few weeks ago, Washington announced it will maintain restrictions on multiple countries and territories including the EU and China for the time being.
“The ultimate goal is to look for easing of restrictions on nonessential travel,” as well as the “specifics on what we can, need or must do to achieve that.” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
The government has not replied yet.
August 5 – the US works on a plan to request all international travelers to be fully vaccinated
The U.S. is reportedly putting in place a new system requiring all international arrivals to be fully vaccinated so they can be allowed to travel into the country, a White House official told Reuters.
“With limited exceptions (…) all foreign nationals traveling to the United States (from all countries) need to be fully vaccinated,” said the official.
He also added that “working groups” are getting ready for “when the time is right to transition to this new system.” However, the date when this plan will be set into motion was not released.
August 5 – the US works on a plan to request all international travelers to be fully vaccinated
The U.S. is reportedly putting in place a new system requiring all international arrivals to be fully vaccinated so they can be allowed to travel into the country, a White House official told Reuters.
“With limited exceptions (…) all foreign nationals traveling to the United States (from all countries) need to be fully vaccinated,” said the official.
He also added that “working groups” are getting ready for “when the time is right to transition to this new system.” However, the date when this plan will be set into motion was not released.
July 30 – Fully vaccinated Americans will be able to resume travel with the U.K. on August 2, but U.S. remains closed due to a delta variant and a surge in cases
While the U.S. continues to be closed for half of the world due to a surge in Covid cases, more countries have been adding it to the list of allowed visitors.
Effective August 2, double-vaccinated Americans and residents will be allowed to travel to the U.K. without quarantine.
There is a catch. Americans should’ve been vaccinated in the U.S. or in one EU country.
Although these travelers no longer need to quarantine, they will still be required to submit a negative PCR COVID-19 test before boarding and take another one on the second day of their stay in England.
This scheme does not apply to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for now.
July 16 – The U.S. borders will not reopen for EU or other travelers for the time being
“It defies logic. It defies science. It defies fact,” Democratic Representative of New York, Brian Higgins told CNN, regarding the lack of transparency about the U.S. international borders reopening.
Another White official said that European Union, United Kingdom, Canadian and Mexican task groups have met with their American counterparts to discuss the aspects that would allow them to safely reopen the country.
However, another White House official told Reuters that “the Biden Administration is not in a rush to lift travel restrictions soon.”
July 9 – The U.S. can’t put a date on the international borders reopening, says government
The U.S. is unable to put a date on international travel reopening according to a White House official who spoke to Reuters on July 7.
“There are further discussions to be had before we can announce any next steps on travel reopening with any country,” said the official.
This is the second time in less than 2 weeks that a Biden’s administration official speaks about the impossibility to determine when the country will reopen for tourism.
On June 25, the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken also told reporters they could not give an approximate date and that everything will “have to be guided by the science and by medical expertise.”
As of today, Schengen area residents who are not American citizens are only allowed if traveling under the National Interest Exception (NIE).
June 25 – U.S. to resume international tourism after September 6, said U.S. Commerce Secretary
The long-awaited reopening to EU tourists may be about to be over.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has stated the country is actively seeking to open travel bubbles with key partners so they can resume international travel soon.
Although not a specific date was announced, Raimondo mentioned Labor Day, which is celebrated on September 6, as the potential date for free foreign travel.
“I’m hopeful that post-Labor Day we will see a nice uptick in business travel and international travel” […] “I can promise that getting business travel and international travel going again is a top priority,” said Raimondo.
June 9 – U.S. to form task groups with Canada, Mexico, the EU and the U.K. to create a strategy to safely reopen borders soon
Multiple EU countries expected President Joe Biden’s announcement about the U.S. border reopening during his visit to the U.K. for the very first G7 summit of his administration.
But instead, the White house has issued a statement informing the country will not reopen just yet.
“While we are not reopening travel today, we hope that these expert working groups will help us use our collective expertise to chart a path forward, with a goal of reopening international travel with our key partners when it is determined that it is safe to do so,” reads the statement.
For now, the U.S. will form task groups with Canada, Mexico, the EU and the U.K to find the safest way to start international travel.
May 24 – The U.S. has not decided yet whether they will reopen to Europeans or not this summer
On May 19, all E.U. members agreed to welcome back Americans from June. E.U. countries can still enforce extra testing or quarantine requirements, but in principle, all vaccinated Americans will be allowed to visit Europe for tourism again.
Unfortunately, on the other side of the Atlantic things seem to be different. Biden administration has been reportedly holding meetings and contacting tourism industry leaders but reopening decisions have not been made yet.
Last week, White House spokesman Jen Psaki stated that no changes on current travel restrictions have been planned thus far when asked if the U.S. would allow vaccinated travelers to visit America Again. (Source: Reuters)
General US Travel Restrictions for Foreign Citizens
There are several US travel restrictions in place at present that can limit or even prohibit the entry entirely of some foreign citizens.
There are also limitations on taking certain products into the United States, including certain foodstuffs and alcohol.
This article looks at the current US travel restrictions for visitors arriving from overseas, including the latest COVID-19 measures.
Read on to find out whether and under what conditions you can apply for a US ESTA or visa and travel to America.
US Restrictions in Place for Coronavirus
Most fully vaccinated foreign nationals can travel to the United States for non-essential purposes.
Visitors must have valid proof of full vaccination to enter the US, with certain exceptions.
COVID-19 entry restrictions in the US are being constantly reviewed and updated. Foreigners should check the latest information before making any travel plans.
PCR test requirement during COVID-19 travel restrictions
Travelers are no longer required to present a negative antigen or PCR COVID-19 test to enter the US or documentary proof of recovery.
Air passengers are no longer asked to present a medical certificate showing a negative test result before they board a plane bound for the United States.
Vaccination certificate for the United States of America
International visitors must hold valid proof of full vaccination. Vaccines approved for emergency use by the WHO and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are accepted.
Vaccination must have been completed at least 15 days (14 days plus the day of the vaccination) before traveling to the U.S.
Certain passengers are exempt from this requirement, including children under 18.
Medical Health Declaration for the United States
Passengers traveling to the United States need to complete an attestation form before departure. The form is available to download online.
The U.S. attestation form is used to provide information about the traveler’s vaccination status.
An attestation must be completed for every passenger over the age of 2 years. Parents or guardians may complete the form on behalf of their dependents over 2 years old.
Which travelers are prohibited from entering the U.S. during COVID-19?
Only unvaccinated individuals are currently prohibited from entering the US due to COVID-19 restrictions. There are no travel bans currently in place based on nationality or country of origin.
Previous bans on travelers from the Schengen Area, the UK, and several other countries have now been lifted. Fully vaccinated travelers who meet the entry requirements may now visit the United States.
Travelers should ensure they have the latest information before making any arrangements.
Will I be quarantined if I travel to the United States?
Travelers may be required to self-quarantine after arriving in the US if they arrive without proof of being fully vaccinated or having recovered from COVID-19.
Visitors must check the requirements for whichever of the U.S. states they are entering as quarantine and other rules vary.
US State-Specific Rules and Guidelines
Foreigners visiting all U.S. States need to follow the vaccine and testing rules explained above.
Passengers are also subject to COVID-19 measures established by the state or territory they are visiting. It is essential that travelers consult the specific guidelines for the area of the country they will be visiting.
Anyone planning to enter several different U.S. states on the same trip should check all the latest guidelines.
Previously, states including Connecticut, Hawaii, and New York had separate health declaration forms. These are no longer in use, all passengers should complete the general U.S. attestation form.
Nationalities Restricted from Entering the USA
At times, the foreign policy of the United States has outright banned travelers from certain countries from obtaining a visa and entering the country.
The most recent instance was when previous US President Donald Trump instated controversial travel bans against a number of Muslim countries.
These bans have since been removed by President Biden’s second Presidential Proclamation.
Currently, the only country banned from getting a US visa is Eritrea, due to a “lack of cooperation in issuing travel documents and accepting the return of its nationals ordered removed from the United States.”
Although these regulations may be changed in the future, they are not part of the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are therefore not considered temporary.
Restricted Entry After Visiting Certain Countries
Travelers may face US entry restrictions if they have visited any of the following 7 nations
Citizens of visa waiver countries who have visited any of these regions since 2011 no longer qualify for ESTA.
They can still travel to the United States, but will instead need to apply for a visa at a US embassy or consulate.
Foreigners are therefore advised to avoid visiting restricted countries before the US to remain eligible for the ESTA visa waiver.
Travel Restrictions for Criminal Record Reasons?
US Homeland Security sets strict rules on entrance to the country based on previous criminal activity.
Those who have a proven record of the following misdemeanors are liable to have US tourist visa, other visa, and visa waiver applications rejected.
They may even be barred from entry to the USA:
- Drug addiction or abuse
- Drug trafficking
- Espionage
- Terrorism
Additionally, US immigration policy restricts the entrance of citizens that are deemed likely to become dependent on public welfare and assistance.
Furthermore, those carrying infectious diseases such as tuberculosis could also be deemed inadmissible.
Finally, those who have not respected the terms and conditions of their previous visas for the US may be prevented from applying for a new one.
Food and Alcohol Restrictions
There are strict policies on taking food into the US. Food can be carried into the United States for personal use, although restrictions apply to certain types of produce. All food products must be declared.
Generally packaged and processed food, tea, coffee, and solid cheeses can all be imported without issues.
Fruit, vegetables, and meat
Some kinds of fruits and vegetables cannot be taken into the United States.
This is to protect community health and prevent the introduction of diseases.
Travelers who wish to carry a fruit or vegetable into the US can check online to see whether there are any restrictions in place.
Meat, milk, egg, and poultry products may be either prohibited or restricted, depending on the country of origin. Canned meat is allowed with some exceptions.
To avoid confiscation, passengers planning to travel with any animal products should check the rules for the specific product before traveling and always declare such products at security.
Can I take alcohol into the United States?
Travelers over the age of 21 are generally allowed to take one liter of alcohol into the US duty-free.
Although additional quantities can be entered, they will be subject to federal excise tax, the amount should not exceed that considered reasonable for personal consumption or gifts.
Restrictions on alcohol importation vary depending on the states. Passengers are advised to check the Alcohol Beverage Control Board of the state they are visiting to find out their policy.
Other US Travel Restrictions and Entry Requirements
In addition to the US entry requirements detailed above, travelers should check whether any of the following restrictions may apply, depending on their individual circumstances.
Social media questions when applying for a US visa or ESTA
US visa and ESTA application forms now include questions about the traveler’s social media presence.
Applicants are asked to provide social media IDs for any Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram accounts they have used over the past 5 years.
US visa social media checks allow Customs and Border Protection to detect engagement with certain kinds of online content and therefore identify potential threats.
The social media information provided is unlikely to affect an individual’s chance of being approved for the ESTA or visa.
Restrictions will only be applied should an individual’s accounts and activity raise security concerns.
Can I travel to the US with an emergency travel document?
It is not possible to apply for an ESTA travel waiver using an emergency passport.
Instead, people who need to enter the country with an emergency travel document should apply for a visa at their nearest US embassy or consulate.
Travelers are reminded that it can take several days or weeks to obtain a US visa from a diplomatic mission.
Children traveling with one parent or with another adult
Minors traveling to the United States with one parent, or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, may be stopped and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The accompanying adult is advised to carry a note signed by the non-traveling parent(s) in which they give their permission for the child (under 18 years of age) to go out of the country.
Should a parent have single child custody, it is recommended that they carry a copy of relevant paperwork which shows this to be the case.
Although such documentation may not be requested at CBP, it is a good idea to be prepared in order to avoid delays and inconvenience on arrival.
Global Entry Program for Frequent Flyers
Those who travel through US airports regularly can enroll in the Global Entry program.
Pre-approved, low-risk individuals receive trusted traveler status, meaning they are not required to queue and speak to Customs and Border Protection Officers.
Applicants are required to attend an interview and have a background check.
Pre-approved travelers enjoy reduced waiting times as they can use special automated kiosks on arrival.
There is a $100 fee for joining the scheme. Once approved, membership lasts for 5 years. A US ESTA or visa is still required by trusted travelers.
Here Are The Current Travel Restrictions For Americans Traveling To Europe
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Getty
Americans can still travel to European countries, although each country makes their own decisions about who can enter and what precautions are required to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Before deciding to travel to Europe, check the testing and vaccination requirements for your destination. Be sure to also consider any countries you transit as there may be testing or vaccination requirements even if you don’t leave the airport. You’ll also want to travel masks with you at all times, since some forms of transportation as well as public and private businesses may require them to enter. Many European countries specifically call for FFP2 masks (or similar-style masks such as KF94 or N95s).
Here are some of the latest European travel rules and restrictions for U.S. travelers.
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France
U.S. citizens can travel to France with full proof of vaccination , which you may have to show to your airline and to border patrol.
Spain
U.S. citizens are not required to quarantine when arriving in Spain, but proof of vaccination or a recent negative test is required. Your test must be from within 72 hours prior to departure for PCR tests or 24 hours for antigen tests. Spain recently revised their requirements to define fully vaccinated travelers as those who received their final dose 14-270 days prior to arrival. Therefore, some travelers may need to obtain a booster dose prior to travel to Spain.
Before departure, you must complete a Health Control Form (FCS) and obtain and download the QR code to show at boarding and health controls upon arrival in Spain.
Requirements for Traveling to the U.S.
As of June 12, U.S. citizens returning from Europe to the United States no longer need to provide a negative Covid-19 test in order to return home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted the previous mandate that had required travelers to supply a negative Covid test or documentation of recovery in order to re-enter the U.S.
However, if you’re not a U.S. citizen or are on an immigrant visa, you’ll still need to show proof of vaccination to fly to the U.S. from Europe.
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Becky Pokora is an avid traveler with a particular love for the outdoors. She’s always looking for new ways to make travel easier, more memorable, and more affordable, particularly by using miles and points.
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Source https://www.travelinglifestyle.net/us-reopening-borders-to-tourism-who-can-enter/
Source https://www.estavisaus.org/news/us-travel-restrictions
Source https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/travel-restrictions-us-europe/