Travelers who can show proof of full vaccination and a negative test before boarding their flight will be allowed into the U.S. from November.
An 18-month travel ban on non-U.S. citizens from select countries will be lifted in time for the holidays, with hopes it will boost tourism and help reconnect families and businesses.
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on what that means for travelers to the U.S. and what measures can be taken to safeguard future travel plans against any possible changes.
What are the current entry requirements to the U.S.?
In March 2020, the U.S. banned entry to non-citizens from 33 countries, including members of the European Union, the UK, China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, and India.
The ban limits entry for any non-U.S. citizen who has been in any of those countries 14 days prior to attempting to enter the U.S.
What are the changes?
The White House announced earlier this month that from November, most air travelers from those banned countries would be allowed entry into the U.S., under certain conditions.
Currently, the changes apply only to air travel and do not affect restrictions along the land border.
An exact date has not yet been confirmed by the U.S administration.
Who will be able to enter and what will they need?
Travelers will need to provide:
- Proof of full vaccination before flying.
- A negative COVID-19 test result within three days of boarding a flight.
- A phone number and email address for a new contact-tracing system.
They will not be required to quarantine. It’s expected that exceptions will be made for children who aren’t eligible for vaccination.
The policy doesn’t apply to U.S. citizens, including those who are not vaccinated. Unvaccinated Americans will still need to provide proof of a negative test taken within one day before their flight and then again after they land.
What vaccines will be accepted?
The CDC indicated that any FDA-authorized or approved vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen – and any vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization would be accepted, news outlet Reuters reported last week.
How does this impact travelers from countries not on the banned list?
According to Reuters, this new policy will apply to all non-U.S. citizens entering the country, including those travelers from countries who were not previously banned.
It is understood this also applies to any U.S. residents who are not American citizens. So, anyone leaving the country would need to meet the policy requirements before re-entering.
What can you do to future-proof your travel plans to the U.S.?
With many factors still up in the air regarding the new policy (and travel in general as we move through the pandemic) one thing is for sure: Having a travel plan that includes flexible bookings and cancellations is a must.
With Blacklane, you can book your airport transfers and local rides in advance and rest easy knowing you can change or cancel most one-way rides up to an hour before the pickup time. The exception is longer-distance inter-city rides, which need 24-hour advance notice.
All you need to do is download the Blacklane app to your smartphone and you can easily book and edit rides while you’re on the move.
