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Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S.

Updated Date: April 21, 2022

Since January 22, 2022, DHS has required non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon request.  On April 21, 2022, DHS announced that it would extend these requirements. In determining whether and when to rescind this order, DHS anticipates that it will take account of whether the vaccination requirement for non-U.S. air travelers remains in place.

These requirements apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for essential or non-essential reasons. They do not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.

Effective November 8, 2021, new air travel requirements applied to many noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily. These travelers are also required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. All air travelers, including U.S. persons, must test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure. Limited exceptions apply. See  CDC guidance  for more details regarding air travel requirements.

Below is more information about what to know before you go, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about cross-border travel.

Entering the U.S. Through a Land Port of Entry or Ferry Terminal

Q. what are the requirements for travelers entering the united states through land poes.

A:  Before embarking on a trip to the United States, non-U.S. travelers should be prepared for the following:

• Possess proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the  CDC  website.
• During border inspection, verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status. 
• Bring a  Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative  compliant border crossing document, such as a valid passport (and visa if required), Trusted Traveler Program card, a Department of State-issued Border Crossing Card, Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Tribal Card when entering the country. Travelers (including U.S. citizens) should be prepared to present the WHTI-compliant document and any other documents requested by the CBP officer.

 Q. What are the requirements to enter the United States for children under the age of 18 who can't be vaccinated?

A:  Children under 18 years of age are excepted from the vaccination requirement at land and ferry POEs.

Q: Which vaccines/combination of vaccines will be accepted?

A:  Per CDC guidelines, all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized vaccines, as well as all vaccines that have an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO), will be accepted.

Accepted Vaccines:

• More details are available in CDC guidance  here .
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose COVID-19 vaccine;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

Q. Is the United States requiring travelers to have a booster dose to be considered fully vaccinated for border entry purposes?

A:  No. The CDC guidance for “full vaccination” can be found here.

Q: Do U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land POEs and ferry terminals?

A:  No. Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation.

Q: Is pre- or at-arrival COVID testing required to enter the United States via land POEs or ferry terminals?

A: No, there is no COVID testing requirement to enter the United States via land POE or ferry terminals. In this respect, the requirement for entering by a land POE or ferry terminal differs from arrival via air, where there is a requirement to have a negative test result before departure.

Processing Changes Announced on January 22, 2022 

Q: new changes were recently announced. what changed on january 22.

A:  Since January 22, 2022, non-citizens who are not U.S. nationals or Lawful Permanent Residents have been required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States at land ports of entry and ferry terminals, whether for essential or nonessential purposes. Previously, DHS required that non-U.S. persons be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States for nonessential purposes.  Effective January 22, all non-U.S. individuals, to include essential travelers, must be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request. DHS announced an extension of this policy on April 21, 2022.

Q: Who is affected by the changes announced on January 22?

A: This requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. It applies to other noncitizens, such as a citizen of Mexico, Canada, or any other country seeking to enter the United States through a land port of entry or ferry terminal.

Q: Do U.S. citizens need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land port of entry or ferry terminals?

A: Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation. 

Q: What is essential travel?

A:  Under the prior policy, there was an exception from temporary travel restrictions for “essential travel.” Essential travel included travel to attend educational institutions, travel to work in the United States, travel for emergency response and public health purposes, and travel for lawful cross-border trade (e.g., commercial truckers). Under current policy, there is no exception for essential travel.

Q: Will there be any exemptions? 

A: While most non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States will need to be vaccinated, there is a narrow list of exemptions consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order in the air travel context.

• Certain categories of individuals on diplomatic or official foreign government travel as specified in the CDC Order
• Children under 18 years of age;
• Certain participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials as specified in the CDC Order;   
• Individuals with medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as specified in the CDC Order;
• Individuals issued a humanitarian or emergency exception by the Secretary of Homeland Security;
• Individuals with valid nonimmigrant visas (excluding B-1 [business] or B-2 [tourism] visas) who are citizens of a country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability, as specified in the CDC Order
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age) as specified in the CDC Order; and
• Individuals whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Q: What documentation will be required to show vaccination status?

A:  Non-U.S. individuals are required to be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request regardless of the purpose of travel.

The current documentation requirement remains the same and is available on the CDC website . Documentation requirements for entry at land ports of entry and ferry terminals mirror those for entry by air.

Q: What happens if someone doesn’t have proof of vaccine status?

A: If non-U.S. individuals cannot present proof of vaccination upon request, they will not be admitted into the United States and will either be subject to removal or be allowed to withdraw their application for entry.

Q: Will incoming travelers be required to present COVID-19 test results?

A: There is no COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers at land border ports of entry, including ferry terminals.

Q: What does this mean for those who can't be vaccinated, either due to age or other health considerations? 

A: See CDC guidance for additional information on this topic. Note that the vaccine requirement does not apply to children under 18 years of age.

Q: Does this requirement apply to amateur and professional athletes?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions.

Q: Are commercial truckers required to be vaccinated?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions. These requirements also apply to bus drivers as well as rail and ferry operators.

Q. Do you expect border wait times to increase?

A:  As travelers navigate these new travel requirements, wait times may increase. Travelers should account for the possibility of longer than normal wait times and lines at U.S. land border crossings when planning their trip and are kindly encouraged to exercise patience.

To help reduce wait 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 individuals to access CBP mobile applications and services.

Q: How is Customs and Border Protection staffing the ports of entry? 

A: CBP’s current staffing levels at ports of entry throughout the United States are commensurate with pre-pandemic levels. CBP has continued to hire and train new employees throughout the pandemic. CBP expects some travelers to be non-compliant with the proof of vaccination requirements, which may at times lead to an increase in border wait times. Although trade and travel facilitation remain a priority, we cannot compromise national security, which is our primary mission. CBP Office of Field Operations will continue to dedicate its finite resources to the processing of arriving traffic with emphasis on trade facilitation to ensure economic recovery.

Q: What happens if a vaccinated individual is traveling with an unvaccinated individual?  

A:  The unvaccinated individual (if 18 or over) would not be eligible for admission.

Q: If I am traveling for an essential reason but am not vaccinated can I still enter?

A:  No, if you are a non-U.S. individual. The policy announced on January 22, 2022 applies to both essential and non-essential travel by non-U.S. individual travelers. Since January 22, DHS has required that all inbound non-U.S. individuals crossing U.S. land or ferry POEs – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request.

Q: Are sea crew members on vessels required to have a COVID vaccine to disembark?

A:  Sea crew members traveling pursuant to a C-1 or D nonimmigrant visa are not excepted from COVID-19 vaccine requirements at the land border. This is a difference from the international air transportation context.

Entering the U.S. via Air Travel

Q: what are the covid vaccination requirements for air passengers to the united states  .

A:  According to CDC requirements [www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html | Link no longer valid], most noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily must be fully vaccinated prior to boarding a flight to the United States. These travelers are required to show proof of vaccination. A list of covered individuals is available on the CDC website.  

Q: What are the COVID testing requirements for air passengers to the United States?  

A:  Effective Sunday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. ET, CDC will no longer require pre-departure COVID-19 testing for U.S.-bound air travelers.

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COVID-19 testing and vaccinations

Learn how to get free COVID-19 test kits, get vaccinated, and stay healthy.

Find COVID-19 test kits, testing locations, and vaccines 

Covid-19 testing.

Visit COVIDTests.gov to:

• Order free COVID-19 test kits from the government
• Find free local COVID-19 testing through your health department or pharmacies

COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots

Visit  Vaccines.gov  to:

• Find vaccination locations near you from your health department or pharmacies
• Learn about the different types of COVID-19 vaccines
• Get answers about the latest booster shots

Vaccination assistance for people with disabilities

• Call 1-888-677-1199, the Disability Information and Access Line, if you have a disability and need help getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

You may also email  [email protected] . Trained staff will:

• Help you find nearby vaccination centers
• Schedule a vaccination appointment for you
• Contact you with local accessible transportation services
• Answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine

LAST UPDATED: March 29, 2024

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New COVID testing rules for international air travel start: What you need to know

Planning to fly into the U.S. soon? Be prepared for more stringent testing requirements. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is  shortening the testing window all international air travelers have to take a pre-departure coronavirus test from three days to one. Previously, only unvaccinated travelers had to take a test no more than one day before travel. 

The reduced timeframe aims to "provide less opportunity to develop infection with the omicron variant prior to arrival in the United States," according to the updated CDC order . 

U.S. airlines have been asked to collect contact-tracing information for inbound international travelers and send it to the CDC "upon request" since Nov. 8, when the country adopted a new set of international travel restrictions. 

The information collected includes names, addresses, phone numbers, emails and dates of birth.  

Here's what international travelers should know about the new testing requirements: 

► Biden unveils COVID-19 winter plan: Tighter travel rules, free at-home tests and boosters

When do the new rules go into effect?

The new rules went into effect Monday and affect all air passengers 2 years and older flying into the U.S. from a foreign county, regardless of vaccination status or nationality. Travelers who can show proof that they have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days are exempt.  

► Travel updates: CDC orders airlines to share information on passengers from 8 countries, shortens testing window

What sort of test can I take to fly into the US? 

Travelers must take a viral test, which includes antigen tests and nucleic acid amplification tests such as:

• reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests
• reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) tests
• transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) tests
• nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR) tests
• helicase-dependent amplification (HDA) tests.

Tests must be authorized for use in the country it was administered, according to the CDC.

While PCR tests are popular, results can take days to return. Albert Ko, a public health professor at Yale, suggests travelers take rapid tests accepted by the CDC to ensure they get their results back in time. 

Since testing options vary by country, "my advice would be to scope this out really well," Ko said.

Some countries offer rapid testing at local pharmacies. Travelers can also find them inside airports, but Ko warns that these tests – while convenient – can be more expensive. 

Ko himself is set to travel to Brazil this week and plans to pack an at-home rapid antigen test he can use to return to the U.S. 

Travelers should note that not all self-tests are eligible for entry into the U.S. The tests must be performed in front of a telehealth proctor and meet other qualifications laid out by the CDC.

For those who want to find out more about their testing options, airline websites can be a useful tool. Many international carriers offer information on testing requirements and where to find testing centers overseas. 

► Free at-home COVID tests: Here's what travelers should know

Why is the order one day and not 24 hours?

The one-day period offers more flexibility than a 24-hour time limit and allows travelers to take a test any time the day before departure. For example, travelers with a 5 p.m. flight on a Friday can board with a negative test taken at 8 a.m. on Thursday.  

Do I need to take another test after arrival?

The CDC recommends  all inbound air passengers get another viral test three to five days after arrival, and says unvaccinated travelers should quarantine for seven days after travel.

Do I need to wear a mask on the plane?

Yes. The federal mask mandate, which requires travelers to mask up on airplanes, trains, buses and in airports and train stations, was  extended through March 18.  

Travelers who refuse to wear masks may face fines ranging from a minimum of $500 to $3,000 for repeat offenders, although the mandate does carve out exemptions for travelers under the age of 2 and people with certain disabilities.

► Federal mask mandate to be extended: Be prepared to mask up on planes through mid-March

  Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz . 

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What’s Going on With the Testing Requirement for Travel?

The requirement to test for Covid before flying to the United States is hated by many travelers and the U.S. travel industry. But the government shows no sign of getting rid of it.

• Share full article

By Heather Murphy

• Published May 19, 2022 Updated June 10, 2022

[Update: The United States will lift the virus testing mandate for international air travelers on June 12. Read more here .]

As countries, including Canada and Britain , have lifted their Covid testing requirements for vaccinated visitors in recent months, some Americans are irate that they still have to show a negative test to board a flight back to the United States.

Jason Miller, a 37-year-old software engineer who lives in Texas, is so frustrated with the rule that he recently sent letters to the White House and several lawmakers and began encouraging others to do the same. “I support the C.D.C., still wear a N95 mask when in crowds and when I travel,” he said. But, he no longer feels that the rule provides value, in large part because “the testing has not stopped variants from entering the country.”

Other travelers have posted similar comments on social media, and a good portion of the travel industry in the United States has made clear it feels the same way.

But they have gotten little satisfaction from the Biden administration and public health officials.

On May 6, Jen Psaki, then the White House press secretary, said she was “not aware of a timeline” for ending the testing requirement and that the administration would base its decision on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation. As to what, specifically, the C.D.C. is using to determine whether testing is still necessary, an agency spokeswoman offered the vague explanation that it “is looking at different indicators” and “evaluating all guidance and orders based on the latest science and state of the pandemic.”

The obligatory test has not just created logistical hassles, it has fundamentally shifted the experience of traveling internationally, travelers say.

“It was always in the forefront of my mind,” said Danielle Bradbury, 42, who recently spent 12 days in Israel for her job developing medical devices while her husband cared for their two children back in Boston. “Every time I left the hotel, I asked myself, how much risk of not being able to get home am I putting myself in?”

Why was testing started in the first place?

In January 2021 , when the C.D.C. first instituted the rule that all U.S.-bound travelers 2 years and older had to show a negative test or proof of recovery before boarding a flight, the United States joined a sea of countries experimenting with different ways to slow the virus’s spread across borders. A statement from the State Department announcing the requirement played up the difficulty in getting a test abroad, suggesting that the rule also aimed to discourage Americans from traveling internationally. At that point fewer than 10 percent of Americans were vaccinated and case counts were rising, hitting a record of more than 300,000 new cases on Jan. 8.

Testing was not the first travel limitation the United States had deployed. In the winter of 2020, President Trump banned visitors from China, much of Europe , Brazil and Iran. When President Biden took office he layered the testing requirement on top of the travel bans. (He also expanded the ban to India .)

In late 2021, the United States pivoted away from country-specific bans and doubled down on testing, shortening the window from within three days of travel to one day, even for vaccinated Americans. By then it had become clear that vaccinated people could also spread the coronavirus . (Most unvaccinated visitors from abroad were prohibited from entering the country, even with testing.)

How effective has the policy been?

It depends how you define success, said Jeremy Goldhaber-Fiebert, a professor of health policy at Stanford University. If success was reducing the number of infected people who flew to the United States, he said, the testing requirement achieved that.

“It certainly prevented people who tested positive from getting on planes and it almost certainly prevented some amount of transmission on aircraft and in airports,” he said.

The exact number of infected people who were prevented from boarding planes is unknown, however, because no one tracks whether a passenger cancels a flight because of Covid. Most of the evidence is anecdotal; lots of people have stories about testing positive before flying home.

If success means keeping new variants out of the country, then it failed, said Dr. William Morice , the chair of lab medicine and pathology at the Mayo Clinic.

“The reality is that none of these measures have prevented the rapid global spread of any variant of concern,” he said.

But if success was not preventing the arrival of new variants, but instead delaying their arrival so that hospitals and authorities could be more prepared, then it may have worked. Mark Jit , a professor of vaccine epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who has studied the effectiveness of travel requirements, said that this is what testing does well.

“Testing can prevent the peak from being reached so quickly,” he said.

Still, once a variant is already widespread in a country, he found, a travel test has little effect.

Why are many countries getting rid of testing requirements now?

Explanations from authorities include readiness to enter a new phase of the pandemic, high vaccination rates and a determination that new variants are manageable.

“The current variant is making people less ill and the number of people being admitted to intensive care is limited,” the Netherlands government said in a typical statement in March, as it ended travel testing, among other Covid-related recommendations.

What’s the argument for getting rid of the U.S. requirement?

The primary argument is that it’s not doing enough good to rationalize the hassle.

Dr. Tom Frieden, who was the C.D.C. director during the Ebola outbreak of 2014, was among those who made this point. “Between super-effective vaccinations that we have and Paxlovid, which is a super-effective treatment, Omicron is less deadly than flu most years and we don’t require people to test for flu before they get on a plane,” he said. “If a more dangerous variant emerges,” he noted, “that’s a very different situation.”

Others argue that it doesn’t make sense to inconvenience so many people for a system that’s full of holes. Antigen tests — one option for travelers to the United States — are notoriously unreliable in the early stage of infection, said Anne Wyllie, a microbiologist at the Yale School of Public Health. For this reason she called the requirement “hygiene theater.”

The testing requirement is not just annoying for travelers, it’s economically damaging, according to the U.S. Travel Association, a trade group. In a recent letter to Dr. Ashish K. Jha, the White House Covid coordinator, signed by more than 260 businesses, including airlines, cruise operators, casinos, tourism boards, Disney Parks and a zoo, the group said “the economic costs associated with maintaining the measure are significant.”

“Given the slow economic recovery of the business and international travel sectors, and in light of medical advancements and the improved public health metrics in the U.S., we encourage you to immediately remove the inbound testing requirement for vaccinated air travelers,” the group wrote.

A survey commissioned by the group found that 46 percent of international travelers would be more likely to visit the United States without the requirement. A similar survey by the Points Guy, a site that specializes in traveling with credit card points and miles, found that more than half of its participating readers would be more likely to travel abroad without the requirement.

What’s the argument for keeping the policy?

Meegan Zickus, who runs a Facebook group for people with weakened immune systems, said that testing has become more important since the mask requirement went away. Without a testing requirement, most travelers are not going to bother to test or stay home, even if they suspect that they are infected, she said.

“Judging by the past two years, the only way to protect others is some type of enforced testing,” she said, because “the moral compass points directly to self.”

Dr. Seema Yasmin , a public health doctor and the director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative, echoed this point. “I would say that it can give a high level of reassurance when 75 percent of people are not wearing a mask and might even be coughing and sneezing loudly,” Dr. Yasmin said.

(Though airplane ventilation systems appear to significantly mitigate spread of the coronavirus, research suggests that people sitting within a few rows still pose a risk to one another.)

“Some testing is better than none,” said Nathaniel Hafer , a molecular biologist at the UMass Chan Medical School.

Many countries also use testing to incentivize vaccination by waiving the requirement for vaccinated people, said Meghan Benton , a research director at the Migration Policy Institute, which tracks travel requirements. The United States encourages vaccination in its own way by prohibiting most unvaccinated visitors from abroad from entering.

Could a lawsuit end testing the way it did the mask mandate?

Given that there are currently at least four pending lawsuits that challenge the international testing requirement, some wonder whether it might be struck down by a judge’s decision, as the requirement to wear a mask on airplanes and other forms of transport was in April.

Lawrence O. Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown Law, does not think so. The C.D.C. can require testing from visitors entering the country from abroad because of the Public Health Service Act, which was explicitly created to prevent the introduction of dangerous infectious diseases in the United States, he said.

The rule, he said, “would be exceedingly difficult to successfully challenge in the courts, even for the most conservative judges.”

52 Places for a Changed World

The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

An earlier version of this article misspelled the surname of the chair of lab medicine and pathology at the Mayo Clinic. It is Dr. William Morice, not Omrice.

How we handle corrections

Heather Murphy is a reporter on the Travel desk. She welcomes tips, questions and complaints about traveling during the pandemic. More about Heather Murphy

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Free COVID test kits are back: Here’s how to get yours

Starting November 20, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. If you didn’t order tests since the program reopened in September, the site will let you place two orders for a total of eight tests. Order your test kits through  COVID.gov . Orders will ship free starting the week of November 27, 2023.

The kits will include  instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates . Many kits have had their expiration dates extended beyond what may be printed on the packaging.

You don’t have to pay for shipping, and you’ll never be asked for a credit card or bank account number. You only need to give a name and shipping address. If you’d like an email confirmation and delivery updates from the U.S. Postal Service, you can submit your email address. Anyone who asks for more information than that is a scammer. So, remember:

• Only go to COVID.gov  to order your free test kits from the federal government. When you click to order, you’ll be redirected to  special.usps.com/testkits . If you’re following a link from a news story, double-check the URL that shows in your browser’s address bar.
• No one will call, text, or email you from the federal government to ask for your information to “help” you order free kits. Don’t give out your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number. Do not respond. Instead, report it to the FTC at  ReportFraud.ftc.gov .

This blog, originally posted on September 25, 2023, has been updated to reflect the extension of free COVID test kits through  COVID.gov .  

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Schedule a new Covid vaccine at your local drug store chain online. I got mine at CVS.

In reply to Schedule a new Covid vaccine… by Trisha Szymanski

Glad to hear that Trish!

See your pharmacist. They should be able to give you your vaccines, flu, covid and possibly RSV.

Go to your pharmacy ?

Just find out who has the vaccine you want here: https://www.vaccines.gov/ . Your insurance ought to cover it.

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You can ask your healthcare provider or any pharmacy will offer them as well. Hope this helps

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Carol, I get mine from the county health dept where you don't have to pay.

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What is COVID-19?

Who can get covid-19, can i travel if i recently had covid-19, what can travelers do to prevent covid-19, more information.

CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance has been updated. The content of this page will be updated soon.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. The virus spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets and small particles produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus spreads easily in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor settings.

People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms   – ranging from no or mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure to the virus. Possible symptoms include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste and smell, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Anyone can get COVID-19. However, some people are more likely than others to get very sick if they get COVID-19. These include people who are older, are  immunocompromised , or have certain  disabilities , or have  underlying health conditions .  Vaccination, past infection, and timely access to testing and treatment can help protect you from getting very sick from COVID-19.

Yes, you can travel once you have ended isolation . Check CDC guidance for additional precautions, including testing and wearing a mask around others. If you recently had COVID-19 and are recommended to wear a mask, do not travel on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains if you are unable to wear a mask whenever around others.

Get  up to date  with your COVID-19 vaccines before you travel and take steps to protect yourself and others . Consider wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs. Take additional precautions if you were recently exposed to a person with COVID-19. Don’t travel while sick.

If you have a  weakened immune system  or  are at increased risk for severe disease talk to a healthcare professional before you decide to travel.  If you travel, take multiple prevention steps to provide additional layers of protection from COVID-19, even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. These include improving ventilation and spending more time outdoors, avoiding sick people, getting tested for COVID-19 if you develop symptoms, staying home if you have or think you have COVID-19, and seeking treatment if you have COVID-19.

Consider getting travel insurance in case you need medical care abroad .

Consider getting a COVID-19 test if you:

• Develop COVID-19 symptoms before, during, or after travel.
• Will be traveling to visit someone who is at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
• Were in a situation with a greater risk of exposure during travel (e.g., in an indoor, crowded space like an airport terminal while not wearing a mask).

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare professional, and tell them about your recent travel.

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We Reviewed the CDC-Approved COVID Home Tests for International Travel—Here’s What to Know

We road tested the binaxnow, ellume covid-19, cue, and detect home tests to see how they actually fare while traveling..

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The new must-have accessory for international travel? A COVID self-test kit.

Courtesy of Ellume

When the CDC issued new guidance regarding its COVID testing requirement for international travel , effective December 6, 2021, many U.S. travelers who were already abroad had to scramble to do a COVID test within a calendar day of coming home. The new rules shorten the testing period from three days to one and apply to all travelers—vaccinated or not—ages two and up.

Per the CDC: “At this time all air passengers, 2 years or older, traveling to the U.S., regardless of vaccination or antibody status, are required to provide a negative COVID-19 viral test result or documentation of recovery unless exempted.”

That means all travelers entering the U.S. must provide proof of a negative COVID test (PCR, antigen, or approved home tests or self-tests) taken within one day before travel.

Some countries, like Iceland and Denmark, make it very easy and affordable (in some cases, free!) to get a same-day test result, but that’s not the standard around the globe.

Until it is, bringing a set of COVID-19 home or self-tests offers the promise of less hassle. And as of January 15, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration is requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests, which means they will be eligible for reimbursement through your private health coverage if you have it.

There are some potential hiccups that travelers should be aware of before they buy and pack these tests (see below for our full reviews).

To meet the CDC requirements, the tests can be self-administered as long as they meet these criteria:

• The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• The testing must include a telehealth video call during which someone authorized by the manufacturer supervises the testing procedure in real time. (Note that some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription, according to the CDC.)
• The telehealth provider must issue a report confirming the patient’s identity, the name of the laboratory or healthcare entity, the type of test, and the specimen collection date.
• Airlines and U.S. officials at ports of entry must be able to review and confirm your identity and paper or digital documents with your test results.

For those who would prefer to get tested in the destination, numerous airlines as well as international hotels, including in Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean, have introduced testing options and resources to help Americans fulfill the CDC testing requirement abroad.

Rather pack a self-test? The CDC cautions that some countries may have rules or restrictions in place regarding the importation of COVID-19 test kits that are not authorized or registered there. “Travelers who are considering bringing a U.S.-authorized test with them for use outside of the United States should contact authorities at their destination for information before they travel,” the CDC advises.

At-home COVID tests approved for international travel

So, what are the options for test kits for those who would like to try bringing one along? We tested the following COVID-19 test kits that meet the CDC requirements and offer the self-test option, produce results without a laboratory, and include a telehealth service.

The BinaxNOW Antigen home kit is sold as a six-pack for $150, which comes out to $25 for each kit.

Courtesy of Abbott

BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Home Test

Buy now: $150 for a pack of six, eMed.com

The BinaxNOW COVID-19 home test is one of the few tests on the market with FDA emergency use authorization that does not require the user to ship a sample to a lab. It’s a rapid antigen self-test designed to detect both asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19. It can be used for children as young as 4 when the sample is collected by an adult—those 15 and older can collect their own sample.

BinaxNOW was developed by Abbott, a health and medical diagnostics company. A trained telehealth professional guides users through the at-home self-test during a video call via eMed.com, which will also deliver their COVID-19 test results to their email. The standard kit comes with one nasal swab—the technique for sample collection is less invasive than the very deep nasal swab sample collection we’ve all heard horror stories about (if not endured ourselves).

“It was super easy,” says Bryan Kinkade, AFAR’s publisher, who used the BinaxNOW home tests for himself and his family for a trip to Costa Rica in spring 2021. His one piece of advice is to make sure to have “a solid Wi-Fi connection” so that you can download the app and conduct the telehealth video call. “They walk you through the entire process,” he says, remarking that the test is very similar to a pregnancy test—after 15 minutes or so the results pop up on the reader. “The healthcare provider comes back on camera to verify the results that you hold up to the camera, and then you can instantly see [your] results in the app.”

After getting his results, he uploaded them directly into the United Airlines app to check in for the flight back to the United States. “I repeated the process with my wife and son, and 45 minutes after we started, my son was walking back to the beach for an afternoon surf. We were down there with some friends who were stressed out all week hoping that the local clinic would be open, that there wouldn’t be a line or any issues getting results back quickly.”

When purchased with scheduled video observation from Azova, the Ellume COVID-19 home test kits cost $50 each.

Ellume COVID-19 Home Test with Azova

Voluntary Recall Notice: On October 1, 2021, Ellume issued a voluntary recall of specific lots of its Ellume COVID-19 Home Test, due to an “increased chance” that tests may provide an incorrect positive result (also known as a false positive). In a safety communication on October 5, 2021 , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed this issue was “due to a recently identified manufacturing issue” and that “negative results do not appear to be affected by the manufacturing issue.” To see if your Ellume COVID-19 Home Test is included in the product recall, compare the lot number on the test carton to the lot numbers on Ellume’s website . If you have unused tests from an affected lot, you can request a product replacement via ellumecovidtest.com/return.

Buy now: Due to supply constraints, Ellume COVID-19 Home tests are currently only available at your local pharmacy. Book a video observation via azova.com

Though BinaxNOW has received a bit more attention, Australia-based digital diagnostics company Ellume was actually the first to market with a COVID-19 home test, and it partnered with Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines to give passengers easy access to home antigen tests. (One 15-minute test with a video observation by Azova, an online healthcare provider, will give results for both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, for ages two and up.) How were they so speedy? Dr. Sean Parsons, Ellume’s CEO and founder, had been working on getting a home flu test to market since 2010 and was able to pivot—the buzzword of 2020—quickly to get approval on a COVID test. “The FDA knew all about our technology, from the work we’d been doing [on the flu test],” Parsons told AFAR. “We feel as if we’re on the cusp—we’re just about there. As a company, we’re already looking to combine our flu assets with our COVID assets to make a combined COVID-flu test, which is the natural progression. It’s coming!”

Until then, international travelers can pack one test kit for every family member over the age of two and—as long as the Wi-Fi is decent and a video-call appointment is scheduled a week out—they can take the Ellume test anywhere in the world. The kit has an easy-to-use smartphone app that asks you to register the bio basics of the patient (name, age, address), then it serves up a mandatory how-to video you can’t fast-forward through (a bit annoying on the fourth go, but understandably necessary). After the step-by-step walkthrough, you swab each nostril, dip the swab in fluid, and put the fluid reader near your phone for 15 minutes. Buzzer goes off, and you have your results, which are also emailed to you.

A friendly reminder that for all antigen tests, false positives are possible. (My two-year-old got one and prompted a fair bit of panic and a follow-up PCR test at a nearby clinic.) “A false positive is really frustrating and worrying and anxiety provoking; a false negative is genuinely dangerous. That’s the tradeoff,” says Parsons. “So we said we’ll chase the positives pretty hard. As a result, we had the best clinical performance of all the rapid tests out on the market. We think that’s still very important for when you go traveling. If you take our test and it’s negative, you can be pretty darn sure that you’re negative.” —Laura Dannen Redman

Cue COVID-19 Test for Home or OTC Use

Buy now: $90 per month for a Cue+ Complete membership

On March 5, 2021, Cue Health received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA to sell its lab-quality molecular COVID test over the counter. It’s a nucleic acid amplification test that returns rapid results—the whole process takes less than 20 minutes—but PCR-level accuracy. Think of this as a home COVID-test investment for frequent travel, in-person meetings, or business travel; companies like Google and the NBA have sent Cue packages home to employees, and U.S. schools have been using them to test grades K–12.

At a minimum, you would have to buy the Cue Reader—a small box about the size of a stack of Post-It notes—and a pack of 3 or 10 individual-use nasal swab tests. You plug in the reader to charge, and while you do that, download the Cue Health app (available on iOS and Android). When the app is fully installed, you follow it step by step: Insert a cartridge to “warm up” in the reader, do a self-nasal swab, and then insert the swab into the cartridge. About 20 minutes later, the results come up on your phone—you can also print them off.

Results are incredibly reliable—according to Cue, an independent study by Mayo Clinic, Cue’s COVID-19 test matched central lab results with 97.8 percent accuracy—but they’ll cost ya: The Cue Reader on its own is $249; a pack of three swab tests is $225. To access the CDC-compliant supervised testing for international travel, you have to sign up for a Cue+ Complete membership ($90 per month), which also includes 20 tests per year; a discounted Cue Reader ($149); 20 percent off additional COVID-19 tests, plus free same-day delivery in select markets; 24/7 access to board-certified doctors; e-prescriptions and prescription renewals; and physician-ordered lab tests.

Though the price is high, these have been the best tests I’ve used in the past six months, including on my children (ages two and four). I have yet to use them abroad but plan to and will report back on the ease of the telehealth appointment. —L.D.R.

Detect Covid-19 Test

Buy now: $75 for starter kit (1 test and 1 hub), $49 for each additional test, and $20 for a video observation session voucher to certify results for travel, detect.com

On December 15, 2021, Detect, Inc. launched its at-home molecular COVID tests authorized by FDA EUA for over-the-counter home use by people ages two and up. While Detect takes longer (about an hour) than many other at-home tests I’ve used, it delivers results with PCR-level accuracy while still being faster than waiting 24 hours to days for results from a lab.

Like Cue, this testing system also requires the purchase of a small device—the Detect Hub—to process the results from a single-use nasal swab. To start, you must download the Detect App (available on iOS and Android) and follow the simple step-by-step video instructions. After you plug in the computer-mouse-size Hub, you can swab your nose then swirl the swab in a liquid-filled test tube. You then place the test tube in the Hub to process for 55 minutes. Once that time has elapsed, you add a separate dropper of liquid into the test reader and push the test tube into the reader, which will give you results within 10 minutes. If you see a single line near the “2” on the reader, your results are negative for COVID-19. If you see two lines or a single line near the “1” on the reader, your results are positive.

In terms of accuracy, Detect tests are comparable to results from PCR tests. According to FDA-reviewed clinical studies, Detect’s Covid-19 tests came back with 97.3 percent accuracy. (Just slightly under Cue’s 97.9 percent accuracy.)

When you compare price points, Detect is a more affordable alternative to Cue. The Detect Hub on its own is $39, and individual tests are $49 each (limited to three tests per order). For $75, you can also purchase a Detect Covid-19 Starter Kit, which includes one hub and one test (a savings of $13 compared to purchasing separately). If items are sold out, check back often. A limited quantity of the Detect Covid-19 tests will be made available at 12 p.m. EST on weekdays via detect.com .

In order to make your results CDC-compliant for international travel, you must also purchase a $20 voucher for a video observation session that comes with a CDC-certified report. While the video session voucher codes are sent to your email after purchase, the hub and tests are sent for free via standard shipping (expedited shipping is also available at cost). Since I haven’t traveled abroad with these yet, I haven’t had the opportunity to try out the video observation session but will report back once I do. —Lyndsey Matthews

Correction (May 11, 2021): The original version of this article mentioned that the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, available for $24 at Walgreens, satisfies the CDC’s requirement for international arrivals. That test does not meet the CDC’s requirements and is intended for personal use. The BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Home Test, available on eMed.com and mentioned above, does meet the CDC’s requirements for international arrivals.

This article was originally published on May 10, 2021; it was updated throughout 2021, and again on January 14, 2022, with new information.

Traveling to the US? Here’s how to meet the one-day testing rule

May 25, 2022 • 6 min read

Travelers to the US should book their COVID test in advance © Getty Images

From Canada to Israel , nations are starting to ditch COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers, but in the US , there's no signs of changing the current policy. To enter the country by air, you must present either a negative test within one day of flying or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 90 days. The rule applies to everyone two years of age or older. All non-US citizens must also show proof of vaccination. 

It’s important to note that the US test requirement covers one calendar day - not 24 hours - before departure. This means travelers can take a test any time during the day before their flight, regardless of departure time. 

The testing regulation might seem like an impossible task⁠—particularly for those who need to get tested in unfamiliar locales—but it doesn't have to be. If you're planning to travel sometime soon, mapping out a plan and getting tested within one day of your flight should be an easily-navigable part of your travel itinerary. 

"The whole thing is not a big deal," says Michael Holtz, founder and CEO of the luxury travel agency SmartFlyer . When the US enacted a testing rule in 2020, Holtz notes that testing options were harder to find. Today, they're ubiquitous. 

"Even if a client is hiking the Himalayas, they can get their test done in a day," he says.

Here's everything you need to know about navigating the testing requirement.  

What kind of test do I need? 

All travelers entering the United States must take a SARS-CoV-2 viral test⁠, which includes antigen and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). The most common NAAT is a PCR test, the gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19. If you're uncertain whether or not the US will accept your test, check the CDC's website for confirmation. 

Different PCR tests yield different wait times, ranging from fifteen minutes to several days. With a tight one-day turnaround, look for a rapid PCR test, which delivers results within the appropriate window. 

For travelers taking a rapid at-home antigen test, remember to follow the CDC's guidelines: a telehealth professional must be able to confirm your identity, observe the test, and authenticate the result. Tests without a proctor will not be accepted. 

Abbot BinaxNOW offers rapid at-home tests with two per pack, including a telehealth service, for $69.99. Flowflex and Detect sell the telehealth service separately. For Americans, it's also possible to use the free iHealth tests distributed by the government. (Tests can be ordered through COVIDTests.org and are limited to eight per address). A virtual session with an iHealth test proctor costs $24.99. Visit the associated websites to order kits and arrange an appointment. 

Regardless of what test you use, all travelers must obtain documentation of the result before boarding a US-bound flight. This may come as a QR code, text, email, or piece of paper. If you recently recovered from COVID-19, you can show your positive COVID-19 test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before departure, plus a letter from a licensed healthcare provider clearing you for travel. 

How do I get a COVID-19 test while traveling outside the US?

There are four locations to consider when getting tested abroad. 

Some hotels provide COVID-19 tests

The first place to check is at the hotel or resort where you're staying. "A lot of hotels are set up to handle testing," says Holtz. Call ahead or check the hotel's website to see if you can schedule an on-site appointment. Next, ensure the test meets US requirements. If the hotel doesn't provide testing, the concierge or front desk staff should be able to direct you to the nearest testing facility. 

Visit a local pharmacy 

For those who aren't staying at a hotel, head to a local pharmacy. Although not all pharmacies provide on-site testing, the employees should also be able to point you toward an accessible medical clinic or testing site. 

Check if your airport provides testing

You'll also find coronavirus testing at most international airports. Visit your airport's website to find testing locations, operating hours, test costs, and the length of time to receive results. On a recent trip through Florence, Holtz used a testing facility in the airport parking lot and received his results within twenty minutes. 

Take an at-home test

Traveling with an at-home test kit is the best way to offer anxious travelers peace of mind. Getting tested at your vacation rental⁠—at a time you choose and in your preferred language⁠—can be a soothing antidote to long lines at foreign pharmacies or airports. But this only works if you have a strong WiFi connection, cell service, and the proper device to support a telehealth video conference. Some providers, including iHealth, won't administer tests on cell phones or tablets, so check testing requirements before traveling and bring a laptop if needed. 

Other tips for finding a test

Cut down search time for a testing location by consulting the internet. Test for Travel , an international COVID-19 testing database with an easy-to-use interface, offers information on global requirements, testing locations, available test types, and processing time. 

"We have about 15,000 locations listed in around 105 countries right now," says Test for Travel's founder and CEO, Julien de Bats. The website only shows locations that process tests in 72 hours or less and indicates if the site offers same-day, next-day, or 15-minute test results. Julien says that rapid PCR tests aren't as widely available internationally as in the US, making antigen tests the easiest way to fulfill the one-day testing requirement.

When should I book my test? 

Booking a COVID-19 test is as vital to the trip-planning process as booking a hotel room. "It's an addition to your travel checklist," says de Bats. Finding a clinic that meets the one-day rule can be complicated, and getting tested or receiving results on weekends or holidays might leave you with few options. Testing prices can range from tens to hundreds of dollars, too, and if you weigh the possibilities, you'll likely save money. 

The bottom line? Make a plan now and worry less later. Don't wait until the last moment and assume everything will work out. 

Once you've identified how and where you're getting tested, figure out the logistics. For in-person testing, map out how you'll get to the site. For at-home testing with a telehealth professional, ensure you have access to reliable cell service or WiFi. If your testing site doesn't require appointments, factor in plenty of time for a visit, and consider getting there as early as possible within the one-day testing limit. It's better to prepare for the worst and be surprised by a frictionless experience. 

What if I don't receive my results before I fly? 

"Start by contacting the laboratory or location where you got tested," recommends de Bats. Then, if your results still aren't ready, contact your airline. Most airlines can assist by finding you an alternative testing option, changing your departure date, or booking a flight to a location where you can get tested before entering the United States. Traveling with an approved at-home test kit can alleviate these concerns and provide backup if testing doesn't go as planned. 

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub .

This article was first published December 2021 and updated May 2022

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No-Cost COVID-19 Testing Locator

The ICATT program will continue to provide no-cost COVID-19 testing for uninsured people that are symptomatic or exposed . More than 19,000 ICATT sites will offer no-cost COVID-19 vaccines under the CDC Bridge Access program to adults without health insurance and adults without full vaccine insurance coverage. An estimated 10,000 ICATT sites continue to support testing and disease surveillance needs at non-emergency levels. A list of no-cost COVID-19 testing sites can be found on the COVID-19 Testing Locator website. To find a no-cost COVID-19 vaccine near you please visit vaccines.gov .

The COVID-19 testing locator helps you find no-cost COVID-19 testing locations and contact information for the providers. Because every provider handles appointments differently, schedule your appointment directly with the provider you choose.

Search for a location that offers no-cost COVID-19 testing at  testinglocator.cdc.gov .

Frequently Asked Questions

CDC is maintaining ICATT capabilities through a warm base (WB) strategy for testing post public health emergency (PHE). The term “warm base” refers to supporting a smaller testing network to maintain core capabilities while maintaining the structural capacity needed to rapidly expand in the event of a public health emergency. The WB strategy includes the continuation of contractual agreements with four vendors to provide testing for uninsured people that are symptomatic or exposed .

ICATT will continue to provide no-cost testing to uninsured people who are symptomatic  or exposed . A list of ICATT sites can be found on the CDC COVID-19 Testing Locator website .

CDC continues to focus on health equity and ensuring access to lifesaving COVID-19 tools. Ensuring access to testing is part of the Administration’s strategy: FACT SHEET: Actions Taken by the Biden-Harris Administration to Ensure Continued COVID-19 Protections and Surge Preparedness After Public Health Emergency Transition | The White House

Providing COVID-19 testing ensures that the nation continues to effectively manage COVID-19, minimize its disruptions, and stay prepared for whatever may come.

The CDC COVID-19 Testing Locator website connects people who have trouble finding no-cost testing services to ICATT locations.

The program provides access in all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. To find no-cost COVID-19 testing sites, go to testinglocator.cdc.gov . On the testing locator website, search for a testing location using a ZIP code or street address.

ICATT locations offer testing at a variety of pharmacies, commercial laboratory sites, and retail locations. The ICATT mission focuses on providing no-cost COVID-19 testing to uninsured people that are symptomatic or exposed .

COVID-19 testing is available at no-cost at ICATT sites for uninsured people who are symptomatic or exposed . Some ICATT testing locations may have fees for people with health insurance.

Every testing location handles appointment scheduling differently. Schedule your appointment directly with the site you choose by following links provided in your search result. Search for a location that offers no-cost COVID-19 testing at testinglocator.cdc.gov .

If you have health insurance, you might be asked to show ID or proof of health insurance coverage. If you do not have health insurance, you can still receive a no-cost test.

The types of COVID-19 tests offered vary by location and provider but include laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and rapid point-of-care (POC) testing .

All tests offered at ICATT locations can tell you if you are currently infected with any variant of COVID-19.

You should get your results usually within 24–48 hours after you get tested. The time it takes to get a result notification depends on the location you visit.

ICATT selects testing sites based on the   Rural-Urban Commuting Areas  and  Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). The ICATT program supports sites in all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. Testing locations may shift to focus on areas with higher social vulnerability. To find an ICATT testing location, visit   testinglocator.cdc.gov .

Through the Test to Treat initiative, individuals can be tested for COVID-19, see a health care provider (either on site or through telehealth), receive a prescription for an oral antiviral treatment (if they are eligible), and have the prescription filled—all in one location. Certain ICATT locations are part of the Test-to-Treat initiative. Visit the Test to Treat website to find a location for treatment.

The CDC COVID-19 testing locator website helps you find a testing site near you. Go to the COVID-19 testing locator to search for where to get a COVID-19 test using a ZIP code or street address. This will then prompt you to the nearest location to make an appointment for a test.

The CDC openly competed new ICATT contracts in March of 2022 ( SAM.gov ) and is not actively seeking additional testing partners. These contracts have option periods that extend through May of 2025.

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• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

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The Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. This means starting May 12, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. CDC’s Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will no longer be in effect when the Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic is revoked .

Please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/

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At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests

On this page:, general information about at-home otc covid-19 diagnostic tests, authorized at-home otc covid-19 diagnostic tests and expiration dates.

• Related Information

At-home over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests can show if you have an active COVID-19 infection.

These at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests are FDA authorized for self-testing at home (or in other locations) without a prescription. Tests are available online or at local stores and  you collect your own sample, perform the test, and read the result yourself without the need to send a sample to a laboratory.

With most at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests, you should repeat testing following a negative result, whether you have symptoms or not, to reduce your risk of a false negative test result. For additional information on reading and understanding your test results, see Understanding At-Home OTC COVID-19 Antigen Diagnostic Test Results .

For more information, including answers to frequently asked general questions about at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests, visit At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions .

The table below is updated regularly and lists FDA-authorized at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests, including information on expiration dates, who can use the test, links to home use instructions for each test, and other details that may help you decide what test is right for you. For additional information about each Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), see In Vitro Diagnostics EUAs: Tables of IVD EUAs .

In the table below, the "Expiration Date" column lists where to find the expiration date for that test, and the "Other Details" column lists the shelf-life for the test. The shelf-life is how long the test should work as expected and is measured from the date the test was manufactured. The expiration date is set at the end of the shelf-life and is the date through which the test is expected to perform as accurately as when manufactured. In some cases, the expiration date for a test may be extended.

An extended expiration date means the manufacturer provided data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized. For more information about how the expiration date is determined and why it may be extended, see the At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions .   

To see if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test has been extended, first find the row in the below table that matches the manufacturer and test name shown on the box label of your test. If the expiration date has been extended, then the Expiration Date column states " Extended Expiration Date " and links to a document that lists the lot numbers, original expiration dates, and the extended expiration dates. If your lot number and/or original expiration date do not appear, or if the Expiration Date column states “Expiration Date: See box label,” do not use the test beyond the original expiration date on your test. 

Search the table below by manufacturer, test name, or other details shown in the table to find more information on the test, including if the expiration date has been extended. 

To see complete information on smaller screens, select the blue plus (+) button beside the test name.

Related Information:

• COVID-19 Tests Granted Traditional Marketing Authorization by the FDA
• Understanding At-Home OTC COVID-19 Antigen Diagnostic Test Results
• At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions
• COVID-19 Test Basics: Includes details on COVID-19 tests, types of samples, and other information.
• At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests-Take Steps to Reduce Your Risk of False Negative: FDA Safety Communication
• Counterfeit At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests
• Find COVID-19 Tests at COVID.gov/tests
• Video: How to Interpret Self-Test Results | CDC
• COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC
• COVID-19 Self-Testing At-Home or Anywhere | CDC
• What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC
• Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC
• Video:  What Is an EUA? Describes how the FDA can issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) to provide more timely access to diagnostic tests that may help during the public health emergency when there is no adequate, approved, and available alternative.
• 1 The Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Test, distributed by Roche Diagnostics, is previously known as the COVID-19 At-Home Test. As the manufacturer, SD Biosensor, transitions to this new brand, customers may receive a product with the previously authorized COVID-19 At-Home Test labeling.

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Traveling soon? Here’s where you can quickly get a COVID-19 test

If you've tried to get a COVID-19 test for travel or for peace of mind recently, you might have run into significant delays.

The omicron variant has complicated travel plans and, depending on where in the country you're located, made it difficult — if not impossible — to get a test. Some companies are reporting shortages, and in major cities like New York , blocks-long lines have formed of people trying to get tested.

For more TPG travel news and tips delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 testing is still a reality for the times in which we live.

Earlier this year, some countries dropped testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers as more people got COVID-19 vaccines. But depending on where you want to go (and as omicron spreads) a negative COVID-19 test result might be required, particularly if you're not vaccinated or are traveling with unvaccinated children.

If you need a COVID-19 test for travel , you might be wondering where you can get one, what type of test you'll need to take, how long it will take to get an appointment (and wait for results), and what it will cost. To help you prepare, we researched where you can get tested in 25 major metropolitan areas. We found that some tests are entirely free , while others require a copay or are covered with insurance. Some will require full cash payment when requested for travel (instead of due to symptoms or exposure).

Some destinations require negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests taken within a certain time , usually 72 hours, before departure. Many facilities can provide results between 48 and 72 hours, but that isn't always true – especially now.

Also, keep in mind that some testing sites deliver results over the phone, which likely won't be suitable for boarding an aircraft or entering a country.

What type of COVID-19 test do you need?

Antigen test. Rapid test. PCR test. RT-PCR test. Antibody test. Take-home test. If you've taken a COVID-19 test during the pandemic , you might have been bewildered by the sheer number of options.

Keeping track of which COVID-19 test you need can seem daunting. Not all COVID-19 tests are created equal, and not all are suitable for international travel.

You'll usually need a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) for travel. These are the most reliable tests for detecting active COVID-19 infections and are considered the "gold standard" of testing. In this guide, we'll primarily focus on testing sites that provide these more accurate PCR tests, though keep in mind that some destinations, like Hawaii, only accept PCR tests from a specific list of testing providers .

The tests that often won't help you with travel are antibody tests, blood tests that can identify if a previous COVID-19 infection caused your immune system to produce COVID-19 antibodies. Some destinations also won't accept rapid antigen tests , which check for proteins on the virus's surface. These tests are popular for quick turnaround times but are less accurate than PCR tests and aren't valid to enter some countries, such as Canada .

Check to see if you can get a rapid PCR test

Though PCR tests generally take around 72 hours for results, some urgent care facilities have introduced "rapid PCR tests," where you can receive your results as fast as 30 minutes. That said, if you're looking for a faster way to get a PCR test, it may cost you as these facilities may not accept insurance.

Some rapid PCR testing options include:

• COVIDCheck in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Denver. Results in six hours for RT-PCR tests. Cost: $349
• Complete Health Partners in Nashville, Tennessee. Results in 30 to 45 minutes. Cost: $250, not billed to insurance.
• DMCovid-19 Test offers travel PCR testing by housecall nationwide in all states except Alaska and Hawaii; it also has nine physical locations. Cost: Price varies by location and whether it's in-home or in the office.
• Elite Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Results in 24 hours. Cost: $250
• Frontage Laboratory in Exton, Pennsylvania (35 minutes from Philadelphia). Offers COVID-19 tests for travelers within six hours. Cost: $203 for an RT-PCR test.
• Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City, New York. Same-day results. Cost: $175 for the test, which doesn't include doctor consultation.
• Saguaro Bloom in Scottsdale, Arizona. Offers 24-hour and 90-minute turnaround for RT-PCR testing. Cost: $299 for 90-minute turnaround and $149 for 24-hour turnaround.
• Test Well in Reno, Nevada, and South Lake Tahoe, California. Offers RT-PCR tests for travel with guaranteed same-day results. The cost is $149 for travel purposes (but you can file a claim with your insurance for reimbursement).
• Urgent Medical Care and MRI in Jersey City, New Jersey. Results in an hour or less only for travelers who need documentation. Cost: $300 out of pocket, not billed to insurance.
• Venistat Mobile Labs in New York, New York. Offers RT-PCR test results in less than 24 hours. Cost: $125 when using insurance, $190 without insurance.
• WeTestU in San Diego, California. Offers mobile RT-PCR testing for travel. Cost: $159 for 24-hour turnaround, $199 for 24-hour turnaround, $259 for same-day (eight hour) turnaround, $329 for one-hour turnaround.
• Worksite Labs offers PCR test results guaranteed within 24 hours near 20 U.S. airports. Cost: $90

COVID-19 testing at drugstores

If you're in a location without many COVID-19 testing sites, you may want to head to your neighborhood drugstore.

You'll notice several major chains on the list of where to get a COVID-19 test, including CVS , Walgreens , and Rite Aid . All of these often offer PCR testing at no additional cost if using insurance or if you fall under some federal programs for those without insurance.

Passport Health also has a network of clinics in over 100 locations nationwide, primarily for people who need a negative PCR test to fly or return to school.

Even better, you can make these appointments online, which may save precious time instead of waiting in a long line. Many of these locations also offer drive-up testing , where you swab yourself and don't need to leave your vehicle.

Turnaround times can vary by chain and location:

• CVS : Average turnaround time for receiving results from lab tests is one to two days for PCR tests.
• Walgreens : Turnaround time is based on when the sample arrives at the laboratory.
• Rite Aid : Turnaround time varies between 125 minutes to two to five days.

Also, several third-party companies partner with major cities like Houston and San Francisco on widespread testing. These companies, such as Color and Curative , offer results between one to three days.

City-provided COVID-19 testing

As the new variant spreads, more cities are handing out free COVID-19 rapid tests for residents.

New York City said it would distribute 500,000 free at-home COVID-19 tests as well as 1 million higher-grade KN95 masks to New Yorkers through community organizations. Residents in Washington, D.C. can pick up an at-home COVID-19 testing kit at select libraries throughout the city . And the White House has promised to distribute 500 million free rapid tests to Americans.

These tests generally won't be approved for travel but could provide peace of mind before (or during) your trip.

COVID-19 testing for children

Many destinations have dropped testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers . However, vaccinated adults traveling with unvaccinated kids may, in some instances, have different travel requirements. But many countries (even those with strict vaccination requirements) accept proof of a negative COVID-19 test for children ineligible to be vaccinated.

If you're trying to get a COVID-19 test for a child, many nationwide drugstores serve younger patients. CVS and Walgreens serve patients 3 years of age and older, while Rite Aid offers tests at no cost to anyone 4 and older.

But now, some kids may be able to bypass COVID-19 tests if they can be vaccinated, making it far less stressful to travel. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has officially been approved for kids 5 to 11 by the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only available to people 18 and older at this time.

At-home COVID-19 tests

The CDC expanded the testing program for international travel to the United States earlier this spring, allowing airlines to accept at-home instant tests that include remote supervision.

That's good news for U.S.-bound travelers who may not have many testing options at their location abroad . Travelers flying to the U.S. can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as a home test if it's a NAAT or antigen test with Emergency Use Authorization EUA from the FDA). The test must also have a telehealth service that provides real-time supervision. Here are several popular options:

• Abbott's BinaxNOW COVID-19 Home Test can be ordered from eMed or from Optum and is CDC-approved for travel to the U.S. There's a second Abbott rapid test you can buy at the drugstore, but it isn't proctored and can't be used for travel.
• Amazon's COVID-19 Test Collection Kit DTC has received EUA from the FDA and costs $39.99.
• Cue Health claims to offer results in just 20 minutes — and that it can detect the omicron variant . The test is authorized by the FDA for at-home use and can be used for travel purposes. The company offers two options for travelers: the Cue+ Essential membership, which starts at $49.99 (a more expensive option costs $89.99 per month) or a one-time purchase with a pack of three or 10 tests starting at $225.

Mail-in COVID-19 testing tests

There are many mail-in or in-home COVID-19 testing providers available. Some are not valid in certain states, and some are not available in all situations.

Most will not bill insurance for you, with Pixel being an exception to that general rule. Some mail-in tests are nasal swabs, while others are saliva samples. Some are only valid for adults, and others require a Zoom appointment. But, these are all the gold-standard PCR tests that are considered highly reliable.

A handful of these companies have partnered with various airlines and the state of Hawaii as approved providers, so this can be a legitimate testing option for travel to the state. If your airline has a mail-in testing partner valid for your travel destination, we recommend going through their system as it may get your sample prioritized in the lab's testing order.

Some mail-in COVID-19 testing programs include:

• Everlywell: Results of the nasal swab available within 24 to 48 hours of the lab receiving the sample. Available to people 18 and older only, and costs $82.
• Pixel by LabCorp : Results of the nasal swab are available one to two days after arriving back in the lab. Available to people 18 and older. There is no upfront cost, or $119 if you're not eligible for insurance or federal funds.
• Vault : Results of the saliva test taken via a Zoom call are available within 24 to 48 hours. The test is available to children and adults and costs $119.
• Azova : Available at Costco.com. The saliva test results, taken via a Zoom call, are available within 12 to 48 hours upon being received by the lab. This test is approved as part of Hawaii's trusted testing partner program and for travel to Bermuda and costs $118.99.
• OnSight Safe : Results of PCR saliva-based tests are available within 48 hours after being received by the lab; expedited processing is also available. Available for children and adults nationally. Physical testing locations are in New York City, Tampa and Van Nuys, California, and tests start at $127.95.

In-home COVID-19 tests

There are at-home COVID-19 tests, but did you know that some facilities offer a concierge service? You can have a testing provider come to your house, apartment or hotel and swab your nose.

In-home testing offers travelers the convenience of not having to wait in a line to get tested. (We're calling it in-home testing, but some facilities also provide testing at your office for large groups.)

Some of the most popular include Welz, which offers same-day in-home rapid testing in New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles with a 15-minute turnaround. Even better: It's free with your health insurance or even if you're uninsured.

Generally, in-home tests and concierge services should be approved for travel purposes, as long as they meet the CDC's requirements and you get a physical or digital copy of your results. But you'll want to double-check you're taking an in-home COVID-19 test approved by your destination.

How long will test results take to arrive?

Most states or countries that require negative COVID-19 tests for entry (or entry without quarantine) use a 72-hour timeframe, from the test until either the time of your departure or arrival at the destination. Sometimes, however, the window is even shorter.

While there are exceptions, one to three days for COVID-19 test results seem standard nationwide.

You may need to research PCR testing locations that promise same-day results or provide rapid PCR tests analyzed on-site if the arrival of your test results could make or break your trip. Several facilities on the list below have previously reported delays in test results due to an increase in demand.

COVID-19 testing in airports

Many U.S. airports offer rapid COVID-19 testing to passengers or travelers on specific flights or heading to particular destinations. This could be a great option if you can drive to the airport to get a test a day or two ahead of your trip.

But we don't recommend waiting to get a test until your travel has already started, as isolating for at least two weeks at a connecting city will likely be an expensive hassle.

Some current airport testing centers available within the U.S. include:

• Anchorage International Airport : Testing at ANC is free for residents and nonresidents.
• Bradley International Airport : Open seven days per week. If the passenger's insurer does not cover the test, tests are available for $125 each. Results will most likely be available within 72 hours of testing but can take longer. Testing is only available to passengers traveling through Connecticut's Bradley Airport (BDL) on the day of their flight.
• Burlington International Airport : Testing is open to all at Vermont's BTV airport Monday through Friday, with appointments recommended and results available same-day or 36 to 48 hours. The test may have a fee .
• Dallas – Fort Worth International Airport : Those traveling on American Airlines can get a rapid test at DFW on the day of travel for $139, with results available in about 15 minutes.
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport : Testing is available between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Rapid PCR tests are $179, PCR tests are $106, and rapid antigen tests are $74. Rapid antigen test results are returned in about 30 minutes, rapid PCR tests are returned within 45 minutes, and PCR tests have a 48-hour turnaround.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: Tests through the Minnesota Department of Health and Vault Health are done with saliva, return results within 48 hours and are free for Minnesota residents and $94 for others. Tests through Wandertest include Antigen, NAAT and PCR tests and provide rapid results in less than an hour and range from $99 to $199.
• New York-LaGuardia : PCR testing is free with no appointments necessary in LGA's Terminal B parking garage, with results delivered by phone within 48 hours. However, this won't be very useful for travel verification purposes since the results are verbal.
• Oakland International Airport : OAK has two testing centers, one in the airport and a second drive-up location. Only passengers heading to Hawaii are encouraged to use this, though technically, any passenger can book the drive-up location. Appointments are required, and there is a $120 lab fee for expedited processing and a $20 administrative fee for Hawaii's mandated travel documentation.
• San Francisco International Airport : San Francisco-based travelers flying on United Airlines to Hawaii and select destinations in Central and South America and the Caribbean can arrange for a mail-in PCR COVID-19 test. Travelers will receive results in 24 to 48 hours, and the cost is $119.
• XpresCheck has many airport locations across the U.S. PCR tests are available by appointment or potentially via walk-up; costs vary. Rapid molecular NAAT tests are hand-delivered within 30 to 60 minutes for $200, insurance not accepted. Standard PCR tests will be delivered 48 to 96 hours for $75, and insurance is accepted for lab fees only. Rapid PCR tests are hand-delivered within 30 to 60 minutes for $250.

Hotels offering COVID-19 tests

Many hotels and resorts all over the world now provide on-site testing. If you're staying at a hotel, check to see if they offer on-site COVID-19 testing, as it's an extremely valuable amenity that can save you time searching for a test. In some cases, that test may also be free.

Related: Forget free breakfast: The hottest hotel amenity is a nasal swab

COVID-19 testing is required to enter the US

If you're traveling back to the United States from abroad, you need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding.

However, the White House significantly shrank the time window for testing in response to the omicron variant, which means travelers will need to arrange for COVID-19 tests sooner.

All travelers – vaccinated or not – must get a viral test within one day of departure to the U.S. Even if you've been vaccinated against COVID-19, you'll need to provide a negative test before boarding. There are several exemptions to this rule. Travelers flying back from U.S. territories, travelers arriving via a land border such as Mexico or Canada, and flight crew members do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test.

People who aren't vaccinated face extra testing and hurdles

More cities are following Europe's footsteps and testing out proof of vaccination mandates for certain activities. Some spots in Los Angeles, for example, require proof of vaccination to dine indoors, and New York City was the first U.S. city to establish a vaccine mandate.

The order went into effect on Aug. 17 for everyone 5 and older. Unvaccinated New Yorkers can no longer participate in many indoor activities, including indoor dining, indoor fitness and indoor entertainment.

Since then, cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C. , have also implemented vaccine mandates.

Vaccine passports

Travelers may want to use digital health or vaccine passports to enter certain countries or be exempt from strict testing and quarantine requirements. But vaccine passports aren't expected only to hold COVID-19 vaccine records. They can also be used to verify negative COVID-19 results.

For instance, New Yorkers can use the Excelsior Pass if they have had a negative PCR test administered in New York within three days; or took a negative antigen test in New York in the last six hours.

Clear's Health Pass feature is used to verify negative tests required at some sports arenas and approve tourists for quarantine-free travel to Hawaii. CommonPass is an independent app that collects a user's COVID-19 status and verifies their identity. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also partners with dozens of airlines worldwide on its Travel Pass app , which hosts verified test and vaccine information.

City-by-city guide on where to get a COVID-19 test

Finding a reliable place to get a PCR COVID-19 test for travel with quick results can be challenging, depending on where you're located in the U.S.

Because things change so quickly, you'll need to contact the sites directly to confirm this information is still accurate. But to give you a headstart in your research, these testing facilities may meet your travel needs. If you encounter a location that should be added (or removed) from the list, or if you're a healthcare provider conducting PCR testing, please email [email protected].

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Atlanta, Georgia

Community Organized Relief Effort

• Various locations throughout Georgia, including Atlanta.
• Hours: Varies by location.
• Cost: Free.
• Appointment required: Walk-up and drive-thru testing available, all sites are subject to early closure once the 500-test daily maximum is reached.
• Turnaround time: Typically 72 hours.

Summit Urgent Care

• Various locations throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.
• Cost: Accepts most insurance, no copay for virtual visits.
• Appointment required: No.
• Turnaround time: Three to five days.

Peachtree Immediate Care

• Hours: Drive-thru locations open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., though some locations are closed on weekends.
• Cost: For most insurance plans, there is no copay or deductible required; a $175 self-pay option is also available.
• Appointment required: Yes.
• Turnaround time: Typically three days.

Viral Solutions

• Cost: No out-of-pocket cost with insurance.
• Turnaround time: Two days.

ARCpoint Labs of Atlanta-Northeast

• 3635 Savannah Place Drive, Suite 450-B Duluth, Georgia
• Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Cost: $169 for lab-based PCR test, $249 for rapid PCR test; Self-pay option only
• Appointment Required: Yes, but same-day appointments are available.
• Turnaround Time: Less than two hours for a rapid PCR test, 48 hours is typical for lab-based PCR.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in the Bay Area, California

My Doctor Medical Group

• 450 Sutter Street Suite 840, San Francisco, California
• Cost: $240 for visit and swab collection, $125 lab fee for expedited next-day PCR results, $35 for customized additional travel documentation and certificates (in addition to lab report) if needed.
• Turnaround time: By 5 p.m. next day after collection.

McCampbell Analytical

• 1534 Willow Pass Road Pittsburg, California
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., seven days a week.
• Cost: Three-hour results are $699, five-hour results are $450, same-day results are $199 and next-day results are $129.
• Turnaround time: See above.
• Embarcadero site at Piers 30/32, Bryant and Embarcadero.
• Turnaround time: One to three days.

Alameda Health Systems

• Various locations throughout Alameda County.
• Cost: Covered by insurance.
• Turnaround time: Two to three days.

County of Santa Clara

• Various locations throughout Santa Clara County.
• Cost: No upfront cost.
• Turnaround time: Varies by location.

Downtown Medical Group

• 450 Sutter Street, Suite 1723 San Francisco, California
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $225 for next-day turnaround, $300 for same-day turnaround.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Boston, Massachusetts

Tufts Medical Center

• 276 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Cost: If insurance does not cover a test, the cost is $135.
• Turnaround time: 24 to 72 hours.

CareWell Urgent Care

• Cambridge Inman Square
• 1400 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• Hours: Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cost: Covered by insurance, or $160 if paying out of pocket.
• Turnaround time: Varies.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Charlotte, North Carolina

BetterMed Urgent Care – Charlotte

• Various locations throughout Charlotte.
• Cost: For those with commercial health insurance, the expected out-of-pocket cost for the medical evaluation and test is your copay. PCR medical evaluation and test will cost $159 plus outside lab costs in North Carolina for self-pay.

Carolina Pharmacy

• Various locations throughout Charlotte, North Carolina and Lancaster and Rock Hill, South Carolina
• Hours: Varies by location
• Cost: Rapid antigen is $89 and rapid RT-LAMP (Molecular/NAAT) is $145. RT-PCR (Molecular/NAAT) is $190. The expected out-of-pocket cost for the medical evaluation and test is your copay for those with commercial health insurance. PCR medical evaluation and test will cost $159 plus outside lab costs in North Carolina for self-pay.

StarMed Healthcare

• Cost: Covered at 100% for most insurance carriers, or $199 for self-pay. There's a $195 out-of-pocket fee for the lab rush.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Chicago

WellNow Urgent Care

• Various locations throughout Chicago.
• Hours: Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some locations offer extended hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Cost: Most insurance accepted, or patients can self-pay $100 plus the cost of the base visit and any other necessary services.

Howard Brown Health

• Turnaround time: Three to seven days.

Innovative Care

• 1111 W. Diversey Parkway, Chicago, Illinois
• Hours: Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cost: Covered by insurance, or you can self-pay $250 for the examination and COVID-19 test.
• Turnaround time: Two to four days.

Prime Care Physicians

• 1355 Remington Road, Suite Q, Schaumburg, Illinois
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: $125 self-pay, most insurance accepted.
• Turnaround time: 24 to 48 hours.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Cleveland/Akron, Ohio

• Various locations throughout Cleveland.
• Cost: Most insurance accepted, or patients can self-pay $150 plus the cost of the base visit and any other necessary services.
• Turnaround time: Results available same or next day. Check testing times to receive same-day PCR results.

The Centers, Midtown Office

• 4500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Cost: No out-of-pocket costs for most patients. No insurance is required, and Medicaid and other insurance are accepted.
• Appointment required: Appointments are encouraged, with walk-ins available each day.
• Turnaround time: One to two days.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Columbus, Ohio

• Various locations throughout Columbus.
• Hours: Open seven days a week, hours vary by location.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

Ayass BioScience Drive-thru

• 8501 Wade Blvd Bldg 7 Frisco, Texas
• Hours: Hours are shown upon registration.
• Appointment required: Strongly preferred. Walk-ins are permitted but will require filling in paperwork on site.
• Turnaround time: Same-day results if collected by 2 p.m.

Real Time Laboratories

• 4100 Fairway Ct. Suite 600 Carrollton, Texas
• Hours: Open daily; see website for details.
• Cost: $125 to $250 depending on turnaround time.
• Turnaround time: Six to 48 hours, depending on the test.
• 4100 Fairway Drive, Suite 410, Carrollton, Texas
• Hours: Open Monday to Saturday; see website for details.
• Cost: Covered by insurance, except for travel requests.
• Turnaround time: Same-day or next-day results.

L&H Scientific

• 2801 Osler Drive, Building B, Suite 123, Grand Prairie, Texas, 75051
• Hours: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Prices start at $275 to $425, depending on the turnaround time.
• Appointment required: Strongly encouraged. Same-day results require testing before noon.
• Turnaround time: Same-day to one-day.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Denver, Colorado

American Family Care Urgent Care

• Various locations throughout Denver.
• Cost: Most major insurance covered.

Advanced Urgent Care

• Hours: Seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Cost: Covered by most major insurance, PCR rapid test at Broomfield clinic is $125.
• Turnaround time: Same-day for a rapid PCR test, three to seven days for other tests.

Premier Diagnostics

• Hours: See site for details.
• Cost: Covered by insurance, the cost of the RT-PCR test is $125 if not covered.
• Turnaround time: Within 48 hours.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Detroit, Michigan

CVS Minute Clinic

• 1935 Campbell, Detroit, Michigan
• Hours: Pharmacy open until 8 p.m.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Houston, Texas

• Various locations throughout Houston.
• Hours: See the website for more information.
• Cost: No out-of-pocket cost when billed to your health plan or the government.

Any Test Now

• Hours: See website for details.
• Cost: $199.

Memorial Village ER

• 14520 Memorial Dr. Houston, Texas
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.‬ every day.
• Cost: $150 or insurance is accepted.
• Turnaround: Two to three days.

Rapid COVID Clinic

• Cost: $250.
• Appointment required: Appointments preferred, drive-ins accepted.
• Turnaround time: 36 to 48 hours.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Las Vegas, Nevada

• 546 N Eastern Ave Suite 130, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Cost: $120.

Cuur Diagnostics

• 3450 S. Maryland Pkwy Las Vegas, Nevada
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Cost: $125.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Los Angeles, California

COVID Clinic

• 124 locations in 15 states, with new locations and states added weekly. Also available at 13 airports including LAX, BUR and ONT.
• Hours: Generally 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. Location hours may vary.
• Cost: Free one- to two-day PCR available for the insured and uninsured (conditions apply). $299 for rapid one-hour result PCR test.
• Appointment required: Yes. Same-day appointments are available.
• Turnaround time: One to two days for expedited PCR test.

Reliant Urgent Care

• Various locations throughout Los Angeles.
• Cost: $195 for 24- to 36-hour turnaround, $175 for one-hour turnaround (not covered by insurance).
• Turnaround time: Depends on the level of service booked.

OnSite Safe

• 6411 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, California
• Hours: Monday to Saturday; see website for specifics.
• Costs: $164.
• Appointment Required: Yes,
• Turnaround time: Two days, next-day available with expedited processing for an extra cost.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Quality Health Care Concierge

• Drive-up address: 900 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Boca Raton Florida
• Hours: 24 hours, seven days a week.
• Cost: Partial coverage.
• Appointment required: Yes, for drive-up and in-home service.
• Turnaround time: Depends on service booked.
• 1425-A SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Cost: $179.
• Turnaround time: Next-day results.

Air Land Sea

• Sheltair FLL, 1100 Lee Wagener Boulevard, Suite 346, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Cost: With insurance, $75 for next-day results, $125 for same-day results. Without insurance, $175 for next-day results, $225 for same-day results. Four- to six-hour expedited results are $450.
• Appointment required: No, but appointments can be scheduled at covidFLL.com.
• Turnaround time: Same-day, next-day and four to six hours. Tests for same-day results must be administered before 11 a.m.

Miami-Dade County testing sites

• Various locations throughout Miami-Dade County.

American Scientific Diagnostics

• 1860 Old Okeechobee Road Suite 508, West Palm Beach, Florida
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $150 for next-day results, $250 for same-day results.
• Turnaround time: Depends on the test booked.
• 1515 NW 167th St Suite 410, Miami Gardens, Florida 33169
• Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: $129 for home or office visit, or $89 per test when you drive up to the lab. Mention the discount code LABDX10PTSGUY for an exclusive $10 discount from TPG.
• Appointment required: Yes for concierge, walk-ins accepted at drive-up locations.
• Turnaround time: Within 24 to 36 hours.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

• 3655 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Hours: By appointment.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in New York City and Newark, New Jersey

There are hundreds of testing sites across New York City, and you can also find pop-up mobile testing sites at different locations throughout the five boroughs. Not all of these will return COVID-19 test results in a timely enough manner for travel, however. Even the cited turnaround time may no longer be accurate.

• 34 West 36th St, New York, NY 10018
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, weekends 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost: $299 for an expedited RT-PCR with a three- to four-hour turnaround. Insurance can be used for a standard RT-PCR with 36- to 48-hour turnaround.
• Appointment required: Appointment not required.
• Various locations in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.
• Cost: Accepts insurance or costs between $175 and $400.
• Turnaround time: Results in four to six hours.
• Various locations across New York City and the boroughs.
• Cost: CityMD is not collecting copayments for COVID-19 related visits.
• Turnaround time: Five to seven days.
• Location in Chelsea with home or office visits for groups of five people or more.
• Costs: $184.
• Appointment Required: No.
• Turnaround time: Two days, with next-day results available with expedited processing for an extra cost.

In-home COVID-19 testing programs include Zeel, which offers COVID-19 swab PCR testing in homes and offices administered by LPNs and RNs to the New York metro area. Available in New York City, Westchester County, Nassau County, North Jersey and Lower Fairfield County, Connecticut. Cost: $249 for the first person tested in-home plus $50 per additional person. Turnaround time: Results within 24 hours.

There are several free COVID-19 testing options available for Newark residents, with no appointment or insurance needed. Get more information here .

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Orlando, Florida

COVID Testing LLC

• Various locations throughout Orlando.
• Cost: With insurance, $35 for next-day results, $75 for same-day results. Without insurance, $115 for next-day results, $155 for same-day results.
• Turnaround time: Same or the next day. Tests for same-day results must be taken before noon.

Paramount Urgent Care

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Cost: Free for self-pay and insured patients, excluding Medicaid.
• Turnaround time: Three to four days.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Vybe Urgent Care

• More than 10 locations throughout the Philadelphia area.
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday to Sunday: 8 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Free PCR test, $75 rapid antigen test (self-pay only) and $100 rapid RT-PCR test (self-pay only).
• Appointment required: Yes, appointments for rapid testing are required. Appointments are not required for other testing options.
• Turnaround time: Rapid test results are available in less than 24 hours. Non-rapid test turnaround time is two to five days.

American Family Care (AFC) Urgent Care

• 1444 W. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Cost: No charge for PCR tests with insurance.
• Appointment required: Yes, and telemedicine visit.
• 620 East Welsh Road, Horsham, Pennsylvania
• Hours: Open even days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $165 for RT-PCR.
• Appointment required? Yes.
• Turnaround time: 24 hours for RT-PCR.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Various locations throughout Pittsburgh.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Portland, Oregon

• Various locations throughout Portland.
• Hours: Depends on location.
• Cost: Covered by insurance or lab fee of $100, as well as the cost of a virtual visit.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Sacramento, California

Anyone 18 years of age or older living in Sacramento County can ​get tested for COVID-19 for free after completing an online screening . COVID-19 testing will then be scheduled.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Salt Lake City, Utah

Intermountain Health

• Various locations throughout Salt Lake City.
• Hours: See site for individual location information.
• Cost: May vary if testing for travel versus symptoms or exposure.
• Turnaround time: 90% of tests are returned within 48 hours.
• Cost: Covered by insurance or $125 for RT-PCR test.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in San Antonio, Texas

• 4115 Medical Dr., Suite 210 San Antonio, Texas 78229
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
• Cost: $125 RT-PCR for asymptomatic patients and travelers. Covered by insurance for symptomatic patients and noninsured symptomatic patients but need providers orders.
• Turnaround time: 24 to 48 hours; Same day turnaround if received by 11 a.m. CST.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Seattle/Tacoma, Washington

Discovery Health MD

• Two locations: DoubleTree Suites Southcenter and Seattle Airport.
• Cost: $176 for next-day RT-PCR test, $349 for one-hour RT-PCR test.
• Turnaround time: Same or next day, depending on what you booked.

Seattle testing locations

• Various locations throughout Seattle.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in St. Louis, Missouri

ARCpoint Labs

• 11255 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, Missouri
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $250 for same-day results.
• Turnaround time: Same day or 48 to 60 hours, depending on what you booked.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Washington, D.C./Baltimore/Arlington

Farragut Medical & Travel Care

• 815 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, D.C.
• Hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $300.
• Turnaround time: Two days for expedited testing, or two to five days.

Preston's Pharmacy

• Various locations in Arlington and Fairfax.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday, check the website for details.
• Cost: $45 for three- to five-day PCR testing, expedited processing available for an additional cost.
• Turnaround time: Three to five days, or faster with expedited processing.

McLean Pharmacy

• 1392 Chain Bridge Road, Mclean, Virginia
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $200 for a 48-hour turnaround and $250 for a 24-hour turnaround.

Bottom line

While it has generally been getting easier to obtain a COVID-19 PCR test for travel purposes in some locations, turnaround times can still vary especially as the omicron variant spreads in the U.S. and demand for testing rises as a result.

That means if you need COVID-19 PCR test results in advance of a tight travel deadline, the safest bet is to use a provider that can guarantee same-day or next-day service. Some providers that initially guaranteed results in 24 or 48 hours have increased their turnaround times, in some cases up to seven days. However, these rapid PCR test options will cost extra and aren't always available.

A few providers have also indicated that several insurance companies won't cover COVID-19 testing for travel purposes, so keep in mind that you may have to pay out of pocket.

Some destinations will allow you to quarantine upon arrival until your test results arrive. Finally, if you do test positive (whether or not you are asymptomatic), you will need to be prepared to quarantine in place wherever you are for at least two weeks.

Search for No-Cost COVID-19 Testing​

The ICATT program will continue to provide no-cost COVID-19 testing for uninsured people that are symptomatic or exposed . More than 19,000 ICATT sites will offer no-cost COVID-19 vaccines under the CDC Bridge Access program to adults without health insurance and adults without full vaccine insurance coverage. An estimated 10,000 ICATT sites continue to support testing and disease surveillance needs at non-emergency levels. A list of no-cost COVID-19 testing sites can be found on the COVID-19 Testing Locator website. To find a no-cost COVID-19 vaccine near you please visit vaccines.gov .

Search for a location that offers no-cost COVID-19 testing

Search for a location convenient for you, then visit the provider’s website to make an appointment.

COVID-19 tests found through this site are available at no cost for uninsured people

Visit one of these locations to get a test at no cost to you. People without health insurance do not have to pay for COVID-19 testing at Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) locations.

Types of COVID-19 tests offered at these locations

The types of COVID-19 tests offered vary by location and provider but include laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and rapid point-of-care (POC) testing .

How to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test

This website helps you find ICATT COVID-19 testing locations and contact information for the providers. Because every provider handles appointments differently, schedule your appointment directly with the provider you choose.

Test to Treat locations

If you test positive at one of these sites and certain treatments are appropriate for you, you can receive a prescription from a healthcare provider and have that prescription filled all in one location. Visit the HHS Test to Treat webpage and the Test to Treat locator for more information.

COVID-19 vaccines near you

Visit vaccines.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccine location near you.

Who should get tested at these locations?

Get a test at one of these locations if you are uninsured and:

• Are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or
• Have been in close contact with someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19

Other COVID-19 testing options in your community

This site does not display all the locations in the United States where COVID-19 testing is available. Visit the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’s) Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19 website to find out about other community-based testing sites for COVID-19. You can visit your  state , tribal , local , and territorial health department’s website to find the latest local information on testing.

Information from CDC about COVID-19 testing

Continue visiting the CDC Testing for COVID-19 webpage for information about testing, types of tests, when to get tested, and more.

For additional information about ICATT or the COVID-19 testing locator, visit the  ICATT website.

Additional resources: .

• COVID.gov - Find COVID-19 guidance for your community
• Test to Treat​ | HHS/ASPR
• Your Health | COVID-19 | CDC
• COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC
• Symptoms of COVID-19 | CDC
• What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC
• Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) | CDC
• Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Testing Performed in Point-of-Care Settings | CDC

Free COVID Home Test Kits Are Still Available: Here's How to Get Them

If you think you might have COVID, don't panic: You have plenty of options for free testing and treatments.

The last federal shipment of free COVID tests ended in March, but you can still get free tests.

Even if you're vaccinated against COVID-19, you could still be one of the  hundreds of millions of people  who continue to get infected by the virus. If you have any COVID symptoms, you should get tested as soon as possible. Luckily, there are plenty of free COVID tests and treatments still available. 

Recently, the Federal Government halted the US Postal Service's free COVID program, which would allow you to order free COVID-19 tests through the USPS. The end of the free COVID-19 testing program comes on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shifting its official COVID isolation guidelines. Instead of the typical five-day isolation period, the CDC now recommends that you be fever-free and have improving symptoms for 24 hours before returning to normal activities.

Read more:   Are Your COVID Tests Really Expired? How to Find Out

However, hope is not lost when it comes to finding free tests. Read on to find out the ways you can still get free COVID testing, as well as how to get your hands on free treatments and COVID vaccines .

For more, here's what to know about long COVID , and  how to tell if it's COVID, allergies or something else .

What are my free COVID-19 testing options? 

Now that you can no longer receive tests from the Postal Service, you have three main avenues to find free COVID-19 testing locations across the US: HRSA health centers, Test to Treat locations and ICATT testing sites. These options function similarly, but we'll break down the specific steps to find your nearest free testing location.

HRSA health centers offer free COVID-19 testing

HRSA health centers offer free COVID-19 testing. 

The Health Resources and Services Administration funds health centers across the US. At these HRSA health centers, you will be able to receive free COVID-19 testing. You can use HRSA's locator tool to find a center near you.

First, select the language you would like to receive your results in. Then simply enter the location you wish to search into the box labeled Location . The locator also allows you to widen your search radius, so you can see all the options your area has to offer. 

Once you've found a center that works for you, click through to that particular location's website and follow their specific instructions for obtaining a free COVID-19 test. 

Test to Treat locations have COVID testing and medicine

The Test to Treat program makes COVID testing and therapeutics more accessible. 

Test to Treat is a federally funded health care initiative that provides more accessible COVID-19 care. This option differs from the others in this article as you can use the Test to Treat centers to receive both COVID testing and treatment for infections. Like the other COVID-19 free testing options, Test to Treat has a locator tool that you can use to find an eligible Test to Treat center near you. 

The Test to Treat center locator  works like the other COVID testing search tools. Enter your location into the search bar and the tool will display Test to Treat locations in your area. A sliding bar lets you resize the search radius to capture all of the Test to Treat centers within your area. 

Within the Test to Treat locator results, you'll be able to see each location's address, which COVID-19 therapeutics they offer and other special instructions you might need to know to get tested. If there's not an option to schedule a COVID test online through your chosen site, you may need to call.

Increasing Community Access to Testing provides COVID testing for the uninsured

ICATT offers free testing to uninsured patients who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have recently been exposed.

Increasing Community Access to Testing , or ICATT, is another free testing program that you can use if you need access to free COVID-19 testing. ICATT works a bit differently than the other programs on this list. 

ICATT is specifically designed for uninsured patients who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone can get an ICATT test at one of the program's locations, regardless of insurance status. If you are uninsured and you wish to be tested at an ICATT-eligible site, you will not need to pay for your test. If you are insured, you might need to pay a fee. 

The  ICATT locator tool works just like the other locator tools for free COVID testing -- input your address or your ZIP code to find ICATT locations near you. There is a search radius adjuster in this locator to tweak your searches to capture the entire area that you want to search. 

Once you've found a location, follow your testing site's steps for scheduling your appointment. 

How can I get free COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots?

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are an important protection against contracting or getting seriously ill from the virus. Since the CDC has recommended updated COVID-19 booster shots for everyone 6 months or older, you might be wondering how to find free COVID-19 vaccines. 

If you don't have insurance or a health provider, don't worry. The Department of Health and Human Services website  says, "COVID-19 vaccines are 100% free for every individual living in the United States."

On Sept. 14, the Department of Health and Human Services launched the  Bridge Access Program , which will continue to provide free vaccines to those who are uninsured through local health departments and HRSA centers. CDC has also partnered with "more than 20,000 retail pharmacy locations nationwide" to provide free vaccines by modifying the existing ICATT program mentioned above.

The Bridge Access Program will end in December 2024, but until then, you'll be able to access free COVID-19 vaccines. To use it, go to vaccines.gov , choose which shot you want, and then click the "search" button. On the next page, select the option that says "Bridge Access Program Participant" to show which locations offer no-cost vaccines. 

For more, learn how your blood type could make you more susceptible to COVID and everything to know about the updated COVID-19 boosters .

Correction, Sept. 21, 2023 : An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the cost of vaccines for people without insurance. It has been updated with information about how people can get free vaccines.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering the US.

Passport validity requirements

To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.

If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from the US, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries will only allow entry if you have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport. 

Dual nationals  

US law requires US citizens to enter and exit the US using a US passport. Contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK for more information.

Visa requirements

To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an  Electronic System for Travel Authorisation ( ESTA ) visa waiver  or a visa .

The US State Department has more information on visas .

Applying for an ESTA visa waiver 

Apply for an ESTA visa waiver through US Customs and Border Protection. You can also apply using the ESTA Mobile app .

You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you have:

• been arrested (even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction)
• a criminal record
• been refused admission into, or have been deported from the US
• previously overstayed under an ESTA visa waiver

You cannot normally apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you were in the following countries on or after March 2011: 

• North Korea

You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021. 

If you are not eligible for an ESTA , you must instead apply for a US visa.

Applying for a visa

The US Embassy in London has information on how to apply for a visa .

US visa appointments

Visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited. Plan your application as far ahead as possible before travel. If you need to travel urgently, you can request an expedited interview through the US Embassy’s appointment service provider.

The US Embassy has more information on visa appointments .

Children and young people

Anyone aged 17 and under must:

• have a valid visa or ESTA visa waiver on arrival
• be able to provide evidence about the purpose, location and length of their visit if asked by immigration officials
• have written consent from one or both parents if travelling alone, with only one parent, or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian

The US authorities can stop you entering the country if they have safeguarding concerns about a child. If this happens, the US authorities will take the child into their care, and their return from the US could take months. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot speed up the return of British nationals aged 17 and under from the US.

The US government has information about children travelling to the US . If you have questions, contact the US Embassy in the UK .

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s US guide .

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the US . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Global Entry programme

The US Customs and Border Protection programme Global Entry allows pre-approved travellers through border control faster at some US airports. If you’re a British citizen, you can  register to get a UK background check . If you pass the background checks, you’ll be invited to apply for Global Entry.

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One-third of US households used government's free COVID test website: CDC

Younger Americans were more likely to use the test kits than older Americans.

About one-third of American households used tests from the free at-home COVID-19 test site launched by the Biden administration, new federal data shows.

COVIDTests.gov was first launched in January 2022, when President Joe Biden pledged to give out 1 billion free rapid tests to combat the omicron surge at the time.

The site was temporarily shut down in fall 2022 but relaunched in December as part of the White House's winter preparedness plan.

MORE: What to know about rapid COVID at-home tests as White House prepares to mail them across US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which published its report Thursday, said more than 70 million test kits were shipped across the United States. The CDC report details how many kits were used and which groups used them.

The agency conducted a survey of 3,400 Americans aged 18 and older between April 14, 2022, and May 13, 2022, who were tested for COVID-19 in the previous six months.

Results showed that 59.9% of households -- equivalent to about 77 million households -- had ordered government kits. Only 38.3% -- equivalent to about 49 million -- reported using a test kit.

Of that group, 23.6% said they likely would not have tested without the COVIDTests.gov program.

There were no major differences when it came to who used the site by race and/or ethnicity.

About 42.1% of Black households placed at least one order as did 41.5% of Hispanic households, 34.8% of white households and 53.7% of households of other races.

As for other at-home tests -- such as from a pharmacy, a doctor's office or a drive-thru site -- only about 11.8% of Black households used them compared to 45.8% of white households.

MORE: Where to find free at-home COVID test kits in New York City

"Compared with White persons, Black persons were 72% less likely to use other home test kits," the report read. "Provision of tests through this well-publicized program likely improved use of COVID-19 home testing and health equity in the United States, particularly among Black persons."

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Households made up of those aged 65 and older were the least likely to have used a test kit from the website, with only 26.8% doing so.

Meanwhile, households with individuals between ages 18 and 34 were the most likely to use a kit.

There were no major differences when it came to who used the program based on which region of the U.S. they lived in, education level or household income.

Additionally, participants were asked if they were aware of the COVIDTests.gov program and how the experience was.

The CDC found that 93.8% of households knew what the program was. Among those who used the test kits 95.5% rated the experience as "very acceptable" or "acceptable."

"These data indicate that provision of free COVID-19 tests through the COVIDTests.gov program was not only widely used, but also provided a mechanism for millions of persons to receive COVID-19 testing who otherwise might not have," the authors wrote.

"Moreover, this program likely led to improvement in equity of COVID-19 testing … these findings support the substantial health value of national programs that address critical health needs during a pandemic response," they continued.

ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett contributed to this report.

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Politics latest: Rishi Sunak to hold news conference as Rwanda bill returns to parliament

Rishi Sunak will address the nation this morning ahead of the final push later today to pass the bill designed to rescue the embattled Rwanda scheme. Plus, the home secretary will meet with the Met chief amid calls for him to quit over the treatment of an antisemitism campaigner.

Monday 22 April 2024 08:33, UK

• PM to hold news conference this morning on Rwanda bill - watch and follow live from 10.30am
• Explained:  Why the Rwanda bill has not passed through parliament yet
• Met Police chief to meet home secretary after calls for him to quit over antisemitism row
• Rob Powell:  A Met chief is again in middle of policing and politics - so what happens now?
• Listen to this week's Politics at Jack and Sam's above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch

Ahead of the Rwanda bill returning to parliament later today, the prime minister is set to hold a news conference in Downing Street at 10.30am.

We are told Rishi Sunak will be discussing the Rwanda bill, that last week was unexpectedly delayed by peers in the House of Lords, who passed two new amendments on Wednesday.

On Friday, Mr Sunak vowed that both Houses would sit as late into the night tonight as needed to agree a version of the bill to pass into law.

Deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell has said the PM will this morning set out the "operational plan" to deport people to Rwanda, in the expectation that the bill passes the Commons later.

We will have live coverage of the news conference from 10.30am here in the Politics Hub and across Sky News, so do stay tuned.

The government had expected the Rwanda bill to go pass through parliament last week, but it did not, and parliament is set to vote for as long as it takes today to get it passed.

So what happened last week?

The House of Commons voted on seven amendments, passed by the House of Lords, to the Rwanda bill.

All seven amendments were rejected by MPs.

They were all defeated by comfortable majorities, and the legislation was sent back to the Lords.

The Lords once again decided to change the legislation, passing four new amendments.

That sent the bill back to the Commons for MPs to vote on.

After Prime Minister's Questions, MPs voted on the four Lords amendments to the legislation after around an hour of debate.

All four amendments were rejected by MPs, all by comfortable margins.

It was expected that the Lords would accept the bill in the form sent it by the Commons, but...

Wednesday evening

Labour peers joined bishops and crossbenchers to pass two new amendments with comfortable majorities.

This means that - much to the annoyance of the government - MPs will have to vote again on those amendments.

The Lords is insisting on its position that the bill should require an independent committee to declare Rwanda safe (rather than giving the home secretary that power), and it should exempt those who served with or for the British armed forces from deportation.

Given the government had expected the bill to pass the Lords on Wednesday, not many MPs were in Westminster on Thursday.

We are expecting the debate and votes to begin in the House of Commons from around 4.30pm, and we'll bring you the latest from that when it happens.

By Tamara Cohen , political correspondent

New legal guidance will make it easier for police to go after stalkers, after ministers admitted too many are slipping through the net.

Stalking Protection Orders were introduced four years ago and allow police to impose conditions on perpetrators not to approach or contact their victims.

But figures obtained under freedom of information laws by a victims' charity show some police forces have issued fewer than 10 per year.

A breach of one of these orders is a criminal offence carrying a sentence of up to five years.

Safeguarding minister Laura Farris has today issued new statutory guidance to all 43 police forces to apply a lower standard of proof when issuing these orders.

She told Sky News on a visit to a helpline for stalking victims: "Previously the police would have to meet the criminal standard which is beyond reasonable doubt.

"We're lowering that now, so they only have to persuade a judge on the balance of probabilities, a kind of 50-50 test, that a Stalking Prevention Order is appropriate."

Read the full story here:

Liz Truss has much more in common with Donald Trump than just the first three letters of his surname.

Despite presenting themselves as "outsiders", both enjoyed substantial political careers and reached the top of their profession as prime minister of the UK and president of the United States respectively.

In both cases, their periods in power ended in ways that outraged their opponents and many in their own Conservative and Republican parties. Economic chaos brought on by her rash policies forced Truss out of office after just 49 days in 10 Downing Street.

Trump lost the 2020 election, refused to accept his defeat and praised the mob who stormed the Capitol in an attempt to keep him in the White House.

Many thought they were finished for good. But like those who had laughed at their ambitions earlier in their careers, the nay-sayers were wrong again. Both have been reprieved and continue to be respected as forces in their parties.

Read Adam's full analysis here:

As we reported over the weekend, former Tory MP Mark Menzies, who is facing allegations of misusing campaign funds, has quit the Conservative Party and says he won't stand at the next general election (he strongly denies the allegations against him).

Deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell told Sky News that the party has had "some difficulty" with the case because the money allegedly misused was not from the Tory party's main coffers, but rather a "subgroup outside the Fylde Conservative association".

He went on: "The Conservative Party investigated it fairly. We established that there was no breach of the Electoral Commission's rules or of the rules of the House of Commons.

"We then tried to intervene in respect of what happened within the association and discovered that this was funding that was kept outside the association.

"So I don't think there should be any criticism of the Conservative Party. We tried to get the balance right."

Mr Mitchell went on to say that he had been abroad and so was not "fully conversant with the all the details" of the case.

But he insisted the party had "properly investigated this matter" in a "timely way which respected the rights of all parties".

He added that "lessons will be learnt" and the party would "set up a whistleblower arrangement" to ensure such things can be reported properly.

On Mr Menzies himself, the deputy foreign secretary said: "I don't think that his actions were those one has a right to expect from a member of parliament, and that is why he no longer has the whip and is no longer a member of the Conservative Party."

He declined to say if Mr Menzies was right to wait until the general election before stepping down as an MP.

Amid the controversy over a Met Police officer telling a Jewish man that he could not cross the road during a pro-Palestine protest because he was "openly Jewish" ( more here ), we asked the deputy foreign secretary if the police should be able to shut down these protests.

Andrew Mitchell told Sky News: "The government will always respond to police requests for the relevant powers. But as far as I'm aware, that is not a request that has yet been made."

He said it would be "regrettable to have to ban any march, so long as it's a march within the law".

"But what I'm saying is that if the police require different or further powers, then I'm sure they will ask for them."

Asked if he believes the Met Police failed the Jewish community in London, the senior minister replied that it is a "complex situation".

"There are lessons certainly to be learned from this profoundly regrettable situation that occurred over the weekend.

"But the government will always be very careful indeed to defend the rights of all people, and has no truck whatsoever with antisemitism or Islamophobia."

 Next, we asked the deputy foreign secretary for his view on a Met Police officer telling a Jewish man that he could not cross the road during a pro-Palestine protest because he was "openly Jewish" ( more here ).

Andrew Mitchell told Sky News that it was an "appalling episode" and said that the home secretary will "undoubtedly hold Sir Mark [Rowley], the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to account for what happened".

He went on: "I think the police do an incredibly difficult job on these occasions, and so I am not criticising the bobby on the beat who was policing the demonstration.

"But I think there are strategic issues about how we ensure that Jewish people, people of any faith at all can go about their business in London and not be impeded in the way that he was."

Mr Mitchell went on to say there was no malice from the officer himself, but there needs to be "better leadership and better direction from the top".

He added that, as far as he is aware, no one in government is calling for Sir Mark to resign, but said: "He should explain both what happened and why it happened and what changes need to be made to ensure that it doesn't happen again."

We've just been speaking with the deputy foreign secretary, Andrew Mitchell, and we started by asking about the situation in the Middle East and if any progress is being made towards a ceasefire.

He told Sky News: "I think we're making some progress on humanitarian relief, but not enough.

"And the position of the government, which the foreign secretary was pushing hard around the region last week, is that there has to be a pause which allows humanitarian aid to get in and to get these hostages out.

"And then on the back of that, we hope for a sustainable ceasefire."

He said the situation was "extraordinarily difficult", and that simultaneously, we have to move towards a two-state solution in the region.

Mr Mitchell explained that Lord Cameron would be travelling to the region this week, saying: "These are countries which are good friends of Britain.

"We have economic interests there. We have investment interests, but we also have security interests, and he is doing his job as foreign secretary on behalf of our country in shoring up those relationships and making sure they are the best they can be."

By Alexandra Rogers , political reporter

An MP facing allegations of misusing campaign funds has quit the Conservative Party and says he won't stand at the next general election.

Mark Menzies made the announcement after claims that he used political donations to cover medical expenses and pay off "bad people" who had reportedly locked him in a flat and demanded thousands of pounds for his release.

The backbench MP for Fylde in Lancashire disputed the allegations but was suspended from the Conservative parliamentary party while an investigation took place.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Menzies said: "It has been an enormous privilege representing the people of Fylde since 2010, but due to the pressures on myself and my elderly mother, I have decided to resign from the Conservative Party and will not stand at the forthcoming general election.

"This has been a very difficult week for me and I request that my family's privacy is respected."

Lancashire Police said it was reviewing "information" about Mr Menzies after Labour asked for an investigation.

The claims surrounding Mr Menzies - which were branded "jaw-dropping" by former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson - came to light after the outgoing MP's former campaign manager Katie Fieldhouse spoke to the Times.

In the Venn diagram of policing and politics, it's often the Met Police commissioner who gets trapped in the middle.

And so once again, Sir Mark Rowley is being pushed and pulled between the public order decisions made by his officers on the ground and the extensive public and political examination that follows.

In the case of the high-profile interaction between Gideon Falter of the Campaign Against Antisemitism and an officer policing the pro-Palestinian march in London last Saturday, the best vantage point we have is the footage filmed by a Sky News camera crew at the demonstration.

The footage shows a lengthy and bad-tempered discussion, with the officer accusing Mr Falter of purposefully leaving the pavement and walking on the road against the flow of protesters.

"You are looking to try and antagonise... I can already see what your mindset is," the officer says at one point.

Mr Falter disagrees, saying he is simply trying to cross the road and "get out of here".

The officer replies that if that's the case, he's happy to escort him and his group safely around the march.

However, Mr Falter asks: "Why can't I just walk where I want to walk?", before adding "the Metropolitan Police says these marches are completely safe for Jews... you're telling me... I have to be escorted by you".

This is really the key point.

Read Rob's full analysis here:

Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley will meet the home secretary and policing minister this week to discuss antisemitism, Sky News understands.

It comes after an antisemitism campaigner was threatened with arrest yards away from a pro-Palestine protest where officers described him as "openly Jewish" and said his presence was "antagonising demonstrators".

The force apologised but then had to apologise for their apology after suggesting opponents of pro-Palestinian marches "must know that their presence is provocative".

Sir Mark will also meet London mayor Sadiq Khan to discuss "community relations" and he is expected to speak to organisations including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the London Jewish Forum and the Community Safety Trust.

Gideon Falter, the campaigner who was threatened with arrest, said Jewish Londoners could not have confidence in the police under Sir Mark's leadership, accusing the commissioner of "victim blaming".

Read the full story, and watch video of the incident, here:

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