Madison Clarke
As of June 2021, there was a bill filed in the US to make it mandatory to be vaccinated to fly. However, this was met with opposition and petitions to stop it from getting to a vote. Currently, vaccinations are not a requirement for flying domestically in the US, although the CDC recommends delaying travel until people are fully vaccinated. For international travel, some countries may require visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For example, people travelling to the US from a foreign country are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of recovery, in addition to being fully vaccinated for those who are not US citizens or permanent residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination requirement for flying in the US | Not required |
| Vaccination requirement for flying to the US from a foreign country | Required for non-US citizens who are nonimmigrants |
| Exceptions | Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel, children under 18, persons with medical contraindications, participants in COVID-19 vaccine trials, humanitarian cases, etc. |
| Testing requirement for flying to the US | Negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of travel required for all passengers |
| Mask mandate | Required in airports and during flights |
| State and local requirements | May vary and be more restrictive |
| International travel recommendations | Delay until fully vaccinated |
| Sources | CDC, TSA, state and local guidelines |
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What You'll Learn
Flying to the US as a non-citizen
If you are a non-US citizen and a nonimmigrant (not a US citizen, US national, lawful permanent resident, or travelling to the US on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before travelling by air to the US from a foreign country. If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will not be allowed to board a flight to the US unless you meet the criteria for an exception under the Proclamation and CDC's Order.
The CDC outlines the vaccination requirements for immigrants. The CDC's Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons and the HHS regulations set the requirements for the immigration medical examination. The instructions include a vaccination component, specifying how the civil surgeon conducts the vaccination assessment. The civil surgeon records the results of the immigration medical examination, including the results of the vaccination assessment, on USCIS Form I-693. If an individual applies for an immigrant visa abroad, they must undergo an immigration medical examination conducted by a panel physician authorised by the US Department of State.
The CDC decides which vaccines are required for immigration purposes. The statute requires that an individual receive any vaccinations recommended by the ACIP. The CDC uses the following criteria in determining which of the recommended vaccines should be required for immigration purposes: the vaccine must be age-appropriate as recommended by the ACIP for the general US population, and the vaccine must protect against a disease eliminated or in the process of being eliminated in the US.
If your immigration medical examination is during a period when the flu vaccine is available to your civil surgeon, you must receive it. If you have an immigration medical examination completed when the flu vaccine is not available, you are not required to document that you have received the seasonal flu vaccine for immigration purposes.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that non-citizen travellers who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have appropriate documentation will be permitted to enter the United States via land ports of entry (POE) and ferry terminals. Starting in January 2022, all inbound foreign national travellers seeking to enter the United States via land POEs or ferry terminals – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination.
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Flying domestically in the US
As of May 2022, vaccines are not a requirement for flying domestically in the US. However, the CDC recommends that people delay travel until they are fully vaccinated. The CDC also recommends that unvaccinated people get tested for COVID-19 one to three days before flying and three to five days after returning. They should also physically distance themselves from others when possible. After travelling, the CDC recommends that unvaccinated people who do not get tested self-quarantine for 10 days.
In addition to the CDC guidelines, people should also research state or local travel restrictions that may be in effect at their destination, even for domestic flights. For example, as of June 2021, Hawaii has some travel restrictions in place, including requiring a negative COVID-19 test to avoid a 10-day traveller quarantine.
While vaccines are not currently required for domestic travel, the US government has considered mandating them for domestic air travel. In December 2021, Dr Anthony Fauci stated that requiring vaccination for domestic flights would provide an incentive for more people to get vaccinated. However, President Biden said that he had been advised that vaccine requirements for domestic air travel were "not necessary".
The US already requires passengers entering the country from a foreign nation to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or proof of recent recovery from COVID-19. This requirement applies to all passengers regardless of citizenship or vaccination status. Several countries have also considered or implemented "immunity passports", which would allow travellers to skip quarantine if they can show proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19.
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Flying internationally from the US
If you are flying internationally from the US, you do not need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the CDC recommends delaying travel until you are vaccinated. For those who are unvaccinated, the CDC recommends getting tested for COVID-19 three to five days after returning and staying at home to self-quarantine for seven days, even with a negative test result. If you do not get tested after travelling, the CDC recommends self-quarantining for 10 days.
Some countries still do not allow travellers from the US. Other countries, like Spain, require vaccinations except in limited situations. There are also testing and quarantine requirements that vary by country. The US Department of State has COVID-19-related travel information for each country. The United Nations World Tourism Organization also has a tool that shows current travel regulations in each country.
If you are entering the US from a foreign country, you must show a negative COVID-19 test that was taken no more than three days before travelling, regardless of your vaccination status. Exceptions are made for those who show proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
Several airlines, including American Airlines, United, and JetBlue, are testing digital passports that allow travellers to upload vaccination documents or test results. The app will then check the requirements of the destination to ensure compliance.
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Vaccination card requirements
Additionally, some countries may have different requirements for what constitutes being fully vaccinated. For example, many European countries will not consider travellers fully vaccinated if more than 270 days have passed since the last dose of their initial vaccination series, meaning that most travellers will need to have received a booster shot to qualify as fully vaccinated.
It is important to note that there was a bill filed to make it a law that individuals must be vaccinated to fly, but it faced strong opposition and did not pass.
To ensure that you meet the necessary vaccination card requirements for your travel destination, it is recommended to refer to official government websites or seek advice from travel doctors who can provide tailored guidance based on your specific destination and circumstances.
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Testing requirements
Each country has its own set of testing requirements that are enforced when boarding a flight to that country or upon arrival when going through border controls. Therefore, the testing requirements vary widely for international travel.
United States
Any traveller age two or older must have a negative pre-arrival test result to enter the United States without quarantining. This requirement applies to returning citizens, permanent residents, and visiting non-residents. How soon you can test depends on your vaccination status: within three days before travel for fully vaccinated travellers, and within one day before travel for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers. Documentation of a recent Covid-19 recovery from the last 90 days can qualify as a testing exemption. Foreign nationals flying to the United States must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and provide proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test prior to boarding the plane, with limited exceptions.
Canada
Travellers age 12 or older must be fully vaccinated and have a negative pre-arrival test to waive the 14-day quarantine. The testing requirement applies to children five years or older. These requirements also apply when entering Canada from its land border crossing.
Mexico
Mexico does not require visitors to be tested or show proof of vaccination to enter. However, any person at least two years old must have a negative test to return to the United States.
Germany
As of June 2022, there is no vaccine or test requirement unless you are travelling from China.
Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal
As of May 2022, Greece has lifted all COVID entry regulations. Italy lifted all COVID entry regulations as of August 2022. As of September 2022, proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter New Zealand, although individual airlines may have other requirements. As of October 2022, Peru and Portugal have lifted all COVID entry regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you don't have to be vaccinated to fly in the US. However, wearing a mask is still required, regardless of vaccination status.
Non-US citizens who are nonimmigrants will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before flying to the US from a foreign country. All travellers flying to the US, regardless of vaccination status, are also required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than three days before travel.
It depends on the country. Some countries may require visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19. It is recommended that you check the requirements for your destination.
