New Presidential Order Sets COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Foreign Air Travelers
In September, the Biden administration announced that they were going to ease the COVID-19-related barriers faced by foreign nationals attempting to enter the U.S. via air travel. Now the President has signed an order that eases blanket restrictions and focuses on the COVID-19 vaccination status of the foreign national traveller.
On October 25, President Biden signed an order requiring most foreign national air travelers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Despite adding this requirement for travelers, this order does away with the restrictive country-by-country rules that have been in place since early 2020 for foreign nationals travelling from China, India and most of Europe. The new order will go into effect on November 8, 2021.
New COVID-19 vaccination requirement
Foreign air travelers will be required to show vaccination documentation from an "official source.” Airlines need to confirm the travellers last dose was at least two weeks earlier than the travel date.
A foreign traveller looking to enter the United States can show proof that they have been vaccinated with any vaccine authorized for use by U.S. regulators or the World Health Organization. As of now, the Sputnik vaccine does not meet the requirements.
Exceptions
There will be limited exceptions to the vaccine requirement. Children under 18 will be exempt from the new vaccine requirements. As well as foreign nationals with certain medical issues. Additionally, non-tourist travelers from nearly 50 countries with nationwide vaccination rates of less than 10% will also be eligible for exemption from the rules. There is no religious exemption from the vaccination requirement.
Foreign nationals receiving exemptions will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one day of departing on their trip to the United States. If a foreign national receives an exemption, most of these travelers will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 within 60 days after arriving in the United States.
The Biden administration will issue details later this week of its plans to lift restrictions to land border crossings for vaccinated foreign nationals.
