USA Entry and Travel Requirements
Entry requirements into the United States specify the rules one must follow to enter the United States without any problems. These requirements determine the types of documents required before traveling, such as a valid passport and visa.
U.S. visa policies apply to all 50 states but may vary slightly among some U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, different visa requirements may apply for the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Depending on the traveler's nationality, purpose of travel and expected length of stay, different types of visas may be required. Travelers from certain countries, including Canada, do not need to apply for a visa or travel permit to enter the United States for a certain period of time.
Additionally, nationals of approximately 40 different countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program do not need to apply for a US visa because they are eligible for an electronic permit known as a US ESTA.
Persons from non-visa-exempt countries must go in person to the nearest U.S. embassy and apply for a regular visa. Travelers who plan to stay longer in the United States or have travel purposes other than leisure should also apply for an embassy or consular visa.
Currently, the United States maintains a visa ban on citizens of Libya, Somalia, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen. The United States has put in place certain protections to ensure the safety of foreign visitors and American citizens when traveling amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. All travelers looking to visit the United States soon should check current entry requirements to complete their trip hassle-free. In addition to testing, vaccination and quarantine requirements, each traveler should also remember to check visa requirements and consider purchasing travel insurance.
Please note:
Because the Covid-19 situation is still complicated and unpredictable, most governments are constantly updating travel and entry restrictions. Remember to check the recent immigration process before coming to the United States, prepare all the necessary documents and enjoy a smooth entry into the country.
Who can enter the US?
- Foreign tourists are vaccinated
- Unvaccinated minor foreign visitors
- Unvaccinated US citizens and legal permanent residents
Checklist of documents for entering the United States
- proof of vaccination status (for adult foreign visitors)
- pre-departure test (PCR) (no longer required)
- CDC contact tracing form
You may also need:
- an ESTA
- travel insurance
- Evidence of recovery from Covid-19
USA Travel Requirements
The United States government issued a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order on November 8, 2021, mandating that all incoming foreign travelers 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated to enter the United States.
Additionally, foreign visitors, as well as US citizens and permanent residents, must take a Covid-19 virus PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in the United States.
Another Covid-19 requirement is to complete the CDC contact tracing form within 72 hours of arrival.
Additionally, foreign visitors must comply with U.S. visa policies that determine which countries can visit the United States without a visa, which countries can use ESTAs available online, and which countries Who must apply for a regular visa?
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
vaccination
CDC requires all air passengers who are not US citizens/residents to be fully vaccinated upon entering the United States.
Remember to prepare proof of vaccination before coming to the United States. Vaccinations must be administered by an approved vaccinator.
Exception:
- children under 18
- travelers cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons
- emergency passengers
Please note that CDC provides humanitarian exemptions on an extremely limited basis.
Essay
Fully vaccinated travelers must still take a Covid-19 test before departure. Exemptions are available for travelers who have recently tested positive and can prove they have recovered from Covid-19, as well as children under 2 years old.
Proof of vaccination alone is not enough to enter the United States during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Additionally, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, should be tested within 3 to 5 days of arrival.
Travelers who have recovered from Covid-19 in the past 90 days do not need to comply with current testing requirements (test within 3-5 days of arrival), nor do they need to quarantine.
Isolation
There are some cases of incoming travelers having to quarantine after arriving in the United States. Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated enter the United States under a waiver
Travelers entering the US under a waiver must be tested upon arrival and then self-quarantine for at least seven days, even if they test negative. Self-isolation and post-arrival testing can only be waived for travelers with evidence of recovery from Covid within the last 90 days.
If you test positive after arriving in the United States, you should self-quarantine to avoid further spread of the disease and to recover.
Travelers are fully vaccinated and have not updated their vaccination schedule
Travelers who are fully vaccinated but have not updated their vaccination schedule (have not received a booster shot if eligible) should self-quarantine for 5 days after arriving in the United States.
Recommended for all travelers
We recommend that all travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, monitor themselves for any Covid-19-like symptoms and get tested within 3 to 5 days of arrival. If you develop any of these symptoms, get tested again and isolate yourself to protect others.
Traveling from the United States
The CDC recommends that U.S. citizens and residents avoid traveling abroad unless they are fully vaccinated.
Notwithstanding this, all travelers should exercise caution when traveling abroad and be aware of applicable entry requirements and testing and vaccination regulations of other countries.
International travel from the United States is possible. All United States citizens and residents must comply with the applicable entry requirements of the country they intend to visit.
All travelers departing the United States should have a pre-departure Covid-19 test (within 3 days before departure) if they are not fully vaccinated or are not up to date on their vaccines (do not receive a booster shot). if qualified).
Traveling to the United States
Travel regulations for foreign travelers visiting the United States
Foreign travelers planning a trip to the United States must be fully vaccinated unless they are under 18 or have an exemption. Additionally, you will need to take a Covid-19 test before departure.
Testing on arrival is often required for all travelers and in some cases even mandatory, accompanied by a 7-day quarantine period.
Also, remember to fill out the CDC contact tracing form, check if you need a visa or ESTA, check the validity of your passport, and consider purchasing travel insurance before your trip to the United States.
Regulations for US citizens/residents returning home
U.S. citizens or residents returning to the United States after traveling abroad do not need to be fully vaccinated. However, these travelers must still take a pre-departure Covid-19 test, complete a CDC contact tracing form, and follow any post-arrival rules that apply to their specific situation. Surname.
Entry Rules for Children
Children visiting the United States do not need to be fully vaccinated to enter the country.
However, all minor travelers aged 2 years and older must have a negative Covid-19 test result before departure.
Transit through the United States - rules during the Covid-19 pandemic
The same rules apply to travelers transiting through the United States as to all other forms of entry during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
This means foreign travelers must prepare proof of full vaccination, get tested before departure, and fill out a CDC contact tracing form.
You may also need to apply for a regular US transit visa at one of the US embassies or apply online for an ESTA (if your country participates in the US Visa Waiver Program ).
The USA Visa Requirements
no visa required
The following countries can enter the United States without a visa, some must meet specific conditions:
Compact of Free Association
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Palau
Neighboring jurisdictions:
- Canada
- Bermuda
Must meet specific conditions:
- Bahamas
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Turks and Caicos Islands
Restricted categories, strict conditions must be met:
- Mexico
Visa-free entry to the United States - ESTA
The US Visa Waiver Program was created to help the US government register incoming visitors before they arrive. Citizens of dozens of countries covered by the U.S. Visa Waiver Program can travel to the United States using ESTA.
ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorization is a multiple-entry electronic travel authorization issued for 2 years and allows its holder to stay in the United States multiple times, up to 90 days at a time.
A regular visa is required
Many countries still require a regular visa issued by an embassy to enter the United States. US embassy visas come in many types and can be divided into nonimmigrant visas and immigrant visas.
The US CDC Contact Tracing Form
As of October 25, 2021, all foreign travelers as well as U.S. citizens and residents must complete a CDC contact tracing form within 72 hours of their intended arrival in the United States.
CDC's contact tracing form asks travelers to provide the following information:
- their flight details (airline name, flight number)
- Departure details (departure date and time, departure airport code)
- arrival airport code
- Personal information (full name, date of birth)
- Contact details (phone number, email address)
- Passport details, including passport number
- details of stay in the United States (residence address)
- Contact details of accompanying passengers
The traveler completing the form must then tick two boxes:
- “I understand that the United States government requires me to provide my contact information and that failure to provide complete and accurate information may result in criminal penalties.”
- “I confirm that the information I provided is complete and accurate.”
Be sure to double-check the details provided before submitting your form for processing, as all information provided in the CDC contact tracing form must be accurate and up to date.
Travel Insurance
Purchasing travel insurance is not required during your stay in the United States. However, it is advisable to purchase insurance for any overseas trip.
Our travel insurance includes:
- Comprehensive insurance for international travel
- Medical expenses abroad up to 250,000 EUR (including costs related to Covid-19 treatment or quarantine)
- Dental care and chronic diseases
- medical transportation
- baggage insurance
- Accidents caused by drinking alcohol
Consider purchasing travel insurance before going abroad to ensure a safe trip.
