Chloe Ramirez
As of January 22, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security requires non-U.S. essential travelers, such as truck drivers and nurses, to be fully vaccinated before crossing the border. This mandate has raised concerns about potential disruptions to the auto supply chain. However, it is unclear if this mandate extends to all individuals driving into the USA. Previously, in May 2021, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that a vaccine was not essential for entry, but travelers could not enter the country solely for the purpose of obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do you need to be vaccinated to drive to the USA? | Non-US citizens, non-US immigrants must be fully vaccinated to enter the USA. However, there are some rare circumstances where travellers might be allowed in without vaccination. |
| Are there any exemptions? | Exemptions include diplomatic or official foreign government travel, medical contraindications to the vaccine, humanitarian or emergency exceptions, members of the US Armed Forces or their spouses/children, and individuals whose entry is in the US national interest. |
| Can Canadians drive to the USA for a vaccination? | The US Border Agency has stated that Canadians attempting to drive across the American border solely for a COVID-19 vaccination would be denied entry. |
| Can unvaccinated people drive from the USA to Canada? | Yes, the US-Canada border is open to travellers without quarantine. However, travellers may need to present their passports and vaccination cards upon entry and may be selected for random COVID-19 testing. |
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What You'll Learn
- Canadians driving to the USA for COVID-19 vaccines may be denied entry
- Non-US citizens must be fully vaccinated to enter by air
- Non-US citizens can enter by land without vaccination
- US citizens do not need proof of vaccination to enter the USA
- Exemptions to vaccination requirements include diplomatic travel and humanitarian exceptions
Canadians driving to the USA for COVID-19 vaccines may be denied entry
As of November 2021, the US allows international travellers across its land borders, but they must be fully vaccinated—with some exceptions. Children under 18, for example, do not need to be vaccinated but must take a Covid test. The Biden administration is also leaving a loophole for people from countries where vaccines are scarce. Travellers from these countries will need permission from the US government and cannot travel for tourism or business. The US government will also permit unvaccinated international visitors to enter the country if there is a humanitarian or emergency reason.
However, the US Customs and Border Protection agency has stated that it does not consider a vaccine to be essential for entry purposes. As such, Canadians attempting to cross the US border solely for a Covid-19 vaccination would be denied entry. This has been a point of confusion, as the Public Health Agency of Canada has considered driving to the US for a Covid-19 vaccination to be an essential medical service. David Musyj, head of Windsor Regional Hospital in Windsor, has been pressing Health Canada to clarify its position, as people near the border may easily drive across for a shot, but the required 14-day isolation period upon return would be a significant obstacle.
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Non-US citizens must be fully vaccinated to enter by air
As of January 22, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires non-US citizens crossing the border to be fully vaccinated and to present proof of vaccination. This applies to non-US truck drivers and nurses. However, there are exemptions to this rule, including:
- Individuals on diplomatic or official foreign government travel.
- Individuals with medical contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Individuals issued a humanitarian or emergency exception by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
- Members of the US Armed Forces and their spouses or children under 18 years of age.
- Individuals whose entry is determined to be in the US national interest by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
It is important to note that U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not consider a vaccine essential for entry purposes. However, non-US citizens must be fully vaccinated to enter the US by air. The CDC states that "if you are a non-US citizen, non-US immigrant, and not fully vaccinated, you will not be allowed to board a flight to the United States." This rule has some limited exceptions, but the CDC emphasizes that "only limited exceptions apply to the requirement to show proof of vaccination." Therefore, non-US citizens must ensure they are fully vaccinated and carry the necessary documentation when travelling to the US by air to avoid any issues upon arrival.
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Non-US citizens can enter by land without vaccination
As of November 2021, the US reopened its land borders with Canada and Mexico for vaccinated people. However, there are some exceptions to the vaccination requirement for non-US citizens entering the country by land.
Firstly, children under 18 are exempt from vaccination requirements but must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure to the US. Children 2 years old and younger are exempt from testing requirements.
Secondly, travellers from countries with limited access to vaccines may be permitted entry without vaccination for humanitarian or emergency reasons. This applies to approximately 50 countries where fewer than 10% of people have been vaccinated. However, travellers from these countries must obtain permission from the US government and cannot enter solely for tourism or business purposes.
Additionally, certain individuals are exempt from vaccination requirements, including those with medical contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine, individuals on diplomatic or official foreign government travel, members of the US Armed Forces and their spouses or children under 18, and individuals whose entry is determined to be in the US national interest.
It is important to note that while vaccination is not required for all travellers, providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure is generally necessary for entry into the US.
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US citizens do not need proof of vaccination to enter the USA
The CDC argues that requiring visitors to be vaccinated helps ease potential pressure on the American healthcare system. While the CDC allows only limited exceptions to the vaccination requirement for travellers, US citizens are exempt from providing proof of vaccination upon entry.
It is important to note that while US citizens do not need proof of vaccination to enter the USA, specific state or local requirements may exist. Therefore, it is advisable to check for any additional entry requirements before travelling.
Additionally, the US Customs and Border Protection agency has specified that travel for the sole purpose of obtaining a vaccination is not permitted under current travel restrictions. This means that individuals cannot drive across the American border solely to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and must be entering the US for legitimate travel reasons.
In summary, while US citizens do not need proof of vaccination to enter their country, specific state or local regulations may exist, and travel for the sole purpose of vaccination is not allowed.
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Exemptions to vaccination requirements include diplomatic travel and humanitarian exceptions
As of January 22, 2022, the United States updated its vaccination requirements for essential travelers seeking to enter the country through land ports of entry and ferry terminals. Non-US individual travelers must be fully vaccinated to enter the United States, even for essential reasons, unless they meet specific exemptions.
In addition to these exemptions, other categories of individuals are exempt from vaccination requirements. This includes individuals with medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as specified in the CDC Order and members of the US Armed Forces and their spouses and children (under 18 years of age).
It is important to note that the US Customs and Border Protection does not consider a vaccine essential for entry purposes. However, the specific requirements and exemptions for vaccination may vary depending on the port of entry and other factors. It is recommended to check the latest official guidelines and consult with relevant authorities before planning travel to the USA.
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Frequently asked questions
Non-US citizens must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to enter the USA. However, there are some rare circumstances where travellers might be allowed in without vaccination.
No, the US-Canada border is open to travellers without a requirement for vaccination. However, you may need to quarantine.
The US Border Agency has stated that Canadians attempting to enter the USA solely to receive a COVID-19 vaccination will be denied entry. However, there have been instances of Canadians crossing the border for a vaccine.
You will need your passport and proof of vaccination.
You will need to provide an address of somewhere you will stay if you need to quarantine. You will also need to know which border crossing you plan on travelling across, the date, and the estimated time.
