U.S. will require negative covid-19 tests from international air travelers starting Jan 26

Jan 14, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel

Effective Jan. 26, 2021, a new CDC policy will require all international air passengers, including American citizens, to provide proof of a negative covid-19 test before boarding international flights to the United States. The covid-19 test must be taken within three days prior to departure.

  • The expanded testing requirements follow a significant post-holiday surge in covid-19 cases in the United States.  Previously, on December 27, the CDC had implemented expanded testing requirements for international travelers arriving to the United States from the United Kingdom.

Clients should also take note of the following travel ban updates:

  • Covid-19 related travel bans impacting travelers from China, the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brazil remain intact.
  • On December 31, 2020, Presidential Proclamation 10052 was extended until March 31, 2021, although the recent extension is expected to be subject to change as President-elect Joseph Biden takes office on January 20.
  • Regarding entry through the United Kingdom – With specific exceptions, foreign nationals who have been in the UK during the past 14 days may not enter the US, even with a negative test result.

Resources:

Consular Processing Resources:

Related Posts:

Canada Launches New Immigration Stream for Ukrainians

The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) allows Ukrainian nationals to apply for a Canadian visa without most of the usual requirements (free of charge, exempt from completing an immigration medical exam overseas, the option to apply for an open work permit, exempt from Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements) excepting biometrics in certain cases and ArriveCAN. Announced on March 17, 2022, the CUAET is particularly interesting for Ukrainians as compared to other visas available because it allows them to obtain an open work permit and/or study permit free of charge, and they can be authorized to stay in Canada up to three years instead of the standard six months. For non-complex cases, the aim is to approve such visa applications within 14 days of receipt. No sponsor in Canada is required, no ties to home country are to be considered, and there are no financial requirements. To apply for CUAET, Ukrainians need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa and an Open Work Permit by mentioning in their application that it is made through CUAET to highlight the urgency of the demand to the visa officers. Once the application is submitted, Ukrainians need to take biometrics only if they are aged […]

Upcoming Webinar: Critical Travel Updates for Foreign Nationals Entering the U.S.

Travel bans are over, but vaccine requirements have replaced them. What do travelers need to know? For a complete picture of how the changes in travel restrictions relates to you, consider attending our free zoom webinar led by Managing Partner, Bernie Wolfsdorf, and Partner Avi Friedman on Nov. 18, 2021, at noon Pacific. All are welcome to join.  In the meanwhile, the following assets may help prepare you for the discussion: White Paper: Making Travel Plans? Here’s the Short-Term Outlook: https://wolfsdorf.com/white-paper-making-travel-plans-heres-the-short-term-outlook/ New Article: President Biden Replaces Country-by-Country Pandemic-Related Air Travel Restrictions With Vaccine Requirement: https://wolfsdorf.com/president-biden-replaces-country-by-country-pandemic-related-air-travel-restrictions-with-vaccine-requirement/