An official website of the United States government, owned by an official government organization, has released new requirements at land ports of entry and ferry terminals to protect public health and facilitate cross-border trade and travel. While these new vaccination requirements do not apply to US citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or American Nationals, all travelers are reminded to bring a document that complies with WHTI regulations when returning to the US. Individuals who attempt to enter the United States irregularly, by any illegal means, or without proper documentation, will continue to be expelled pursuant to the CDC Title 42 public health order. To help reduce waiting times and long lines, travelers can take advantage of innovative technology such as facial biometrics and the CBP OneTM mobile application, which serves as a single portal for people to access CBP mobile applications and services.
Children under 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirement for foreign travelers due to both the ineligibility of some younger children and the global variability in access to vaccination for older children who qualify for vaccination. The current documentation requirement remains the same and is available on the CDC website. To determine if a non-immigrant citizen passenger is the same person who appears on the proof of vaccination, or if the registration was issued by an official source, individuals must match their name and date of birth to confirm that they are not an American. The State Department can provide emergency financial assistance for overseas citizens, information from Citizens Abroad International on maritime piracy and armed robbery at sea, help for US citizen victims of crime, and ways to locate your loved one in a crisis abroad.
Before traveling internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals should be aware of safety guidelines and travel restrictions for their destination area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a list of factors to consider for vaccinated and unvaccinated people before traveling within the US. Additionally, many recreational areas have restrictions related to COVID-19 and rules on the use of masks. The government has made it easier to find COVID-19 vaccination sites by selecting the vaccine you want and searching by zip code.
Depending on your location, you can choose between pharmacies, health department clinics, and other health care providers. Anyone traveling to the United States must provide contact tracing information. National legal permanent residents or those traveling to the US on an immigrant visa must show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and complete a certification form before boarding. No federal law requires masks to be worn at airports or on planes, but certain cities or states may still require them at their airports.
Be sure to check any airport you're traveling to before you arrive for their policies.
