unvaccinated travel to usa from canada march 2023

Advertisement

Supported by

U.S. Ends Last Covid Travel Barrier, Vaccine Mandate for Foreign Arrivals

By Ceylan Yeginsu

• Share full article

International passengers traveling to the United States no longer have to show proof of vaccination against Covid as of midnight Thursday, when the coronavirus health emergency officially ended .

The Biden administration dropped its requirement for coronavirus testing last June but kept in place its vaccination policy for foreign travelers. In February, the House of Representatives voted to end the last remaining pandemic restrictions on May 11.

“As we continue to monitor the evolving state of Covid-19 and the emergence of virus variants, we have the tools to detect and respond to the potential emergence of a variant of high consequence,” President Biden said in a proclamation published on May 1.

“Considering the progress that we have made, and based on the latest guidance from our public health experts, I have determined that we no longer need the international air travel restrictions that I imposed in October 2021,” he added.

Why It Matters: Most other countries have dropped restrictions.

For 18 months during the height of the pandemic, the U.S. closed its borders to international travelers, separating families and costing the global travel industry billions of dollars.

In November 2021, those restrictions were eased, and international travelers were welcomed back to the United States with great fanfare. But foreign travelers were still required to be vaccinated and take a coronavirus test within three days of travel to all U.S. ports of entry. When the administration dropped its testing rule in June last year but kept vaccinations in place, it argued that they were still necessary to slow the spread of new variants of the virus entering the country.

As of last summer, the U.S. was one of the few remaining countries to maintain coronavirus travel restrictions, causing many travelers to choose alternative destinations that welcome them unconditionally.

The rules barred the world’s No. 1-ranked tennis player, Novak Djokovic, from competing in the U.S. Open in 2022 because he is not vaccinated.

Background: Spending by foreign travelers in the U.S. still lags.

The initial U.S. travel ban on international travel decimated the U.S. economy’s tourism sector and resulted in losses of nearly $300 billion in visitor spending and more than one million American jobs, according to the U.S. Travel Association, an industry group.

Until April last year, all passengers traveling to or within the U.S. were required to wear masks on airplanes — a contentious mandate that led to fistfights and altercations on planes and put off some international travelers from taking long-haul flights.

Even after the restrictions were eased, spending by international travelers in the U.S. was still down by 78 percent in March 2022 compared to 2019 levels and by 56 percent for business travel, the group said.

“Today’s action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward,” Geoff Freeman, the chief executive of the association, said in a statement after the May 11 end date was announced.

Ceylan Yeginsu is a travel reporter. She was previously a correspondent for the International desk in Britain and Turkey, covering politics; social justice; the migrant crisis; the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. More about Ceylan Yeginsu

Situation in Haiti April 5, 2024

U.s. citizens in haiti, update january 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Travel.State.Gov Newsroom

U.S. Passports News

International Travel News

U.S. Visas News

Intercountry Adoption News and Notices

Share this page:

Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for nonimmigrant travel

Worldwide Visa Operations: Update

Employment-Based Fourth Preference (EB-4) Announcement

Suspension of Visa Services in Sudan

Diversity Visa 2024 Update

Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases to Take Effect June 17, 2023

India EB-3 Retrogression

Expiration of Covid-Era Visa Application Fee Receipts

Digital Visa Authorization (DVA) Proof of Concept

Final Rule Governing Public Charge Grounds of Visa Ineligibility

Visa Waiver Travel for Israeli Citizens

Important Update on Waivers of the Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Department of State to Process Domestic Visa Renewals in Limited Pilot Program

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/

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

U.S. to end vaccine requirements for Canadians at land border, international air travellers: officials

The U.S. is ending its COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travellers and Canadians at the border as of next week, officials announced on Monday.

By the end of the day on May 11, international air travellers, federal employees and federal contractors will no longer need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination , the White House said in a statement Monday.

“Our COVID-19 vaccine requirements bolstered vaccination across the nation, and our broader vaccination campaign has saved millions of lives,” the statement reads. “While vaccination remains one of the most important tools in advancing the health and safety of employees and promoting the efficiency of workplaces, we are now in a different phase of our response when these measures are no longer necessary.”

The statement added that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will also “start the process to end their vaccination requirements for ... certain noncitizens at the land border."

“In the coming days, further details related to ending these requirements will be provided,” the White House said.

According to Democratic Congressman Brian Higgins, whose district encompasses Buffalo and Niagara Falls, N.Y. along the Canadian border, the COVID-19 vaccine requirement will also be lifted for Canadians seeking to cross into the U.S. through the land border as of May 11.

Higgins said this has been confirmed to him by the White House after he pushed for clarity on whether or not Canadian crossings at the land border would be impacted by the U.S. lifting its COVID emergency order on May 11.

“For over three years now there have been barriers to cross-border travel,” Higgins said in a press release. “It has kept families apart and impeded economic recovery. While long overdue, this last lifting of pandemic restrictions is certainly welcome news and critically important as we seek opportunities to encourage a robust cross-border exchange that delivers shared prosperity.”

Last month, U.S President Joe Biden signed a bill to end the COVID-19 national emergency.

Canada ended its requirement for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all travellers entering the country by air or through the land border last October. 

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather to stay in caucus

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather has ended his reflection on his place in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's caucus, declaring Friday that he intends to stay in the Liberal fold.

Video shows police intercept break-and-enter at warehouse involving a dozen suspects north of Toronto

York Regional Police have released a video showing more than a dozen suspects armed with hammers and electric saws breaking into a warehouse in Richmond Hill earlier this week.

Amber Alert: Air 1, search and rescue teams called to look for missing B.C. infant

B.C. RCMP have released an updated description of the woman who allegedly abducted a three-month-old boy while crews continue to search for the child by land and air.

BREAKING | Calgary murder victim's body found by police

Calgary police say the body of homicide victim Chelsea Davidenas has been found.

opinion | Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create

While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.

Here's why you might have felt the New York earthquake in Ontario

As an earthquake shook New York City on Friday morning, some Ontario residents felt rumblings.

'This is a pattern': Regina father and 5 children left on street after public housing eviction

A Regina father and his five children have been left homeless after being evicted from a government housing unit on Wednesday after several noise complaints.

U.S. East Coast earthquake rattles millions, but dense region escapes sweeping damage

An unusual East Coast earthquake shook millions of people from New York and Philadelphia skyscrapers to rural New England on Friday, causing no widespread damage but startling an area unaccustomed to temblors.

Here are the recalls in Canada this week

Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including laundry pods, kids' bike seats, sausages and area rugs.

Sask. teachers will begin 'work to rule' job action Monday

The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation announced a significant escalation to ongoing job action on Friday and said that all teachers will begin the 'work to rule' process on Monday.

$5K refund ordered for group trip booked at B.C. ski lodge that was shut down by government

A man who booked a group trip to a B.C. ski lodge last year is entitled to a $5,000 refund – because the people he paid for the accommodations were not 'legally entitled' to provide them, the province’s small claims tribunal has ruled.

'Rolexgate': Peru's president interrogated by prosecutors for hours amid expanding probe

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte was interrogated by prosecutors for five hours Friday as authorities investigate whether she illegally received hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, luxury watches and jewelry.

South Korea's president meets leader of doctors' strike as he seeks to end their walkouts

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met the leader of a strike by thousands of junior doctors on Thursday and said that the government is open to talks about its contentious push to sharply increase medical school admissions.

Right to children or children's rights? Surrogacy debate comes to a head in Rome

An international campaign to ban surrogacy received a strong endorsement Friday from the Vatican, with a top official calling for a broad-based alliance to stop the 'commercialization of life.'

Fire at Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office intentionally set, officials say

A fire at independent Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office on Friday was intentionally set, according to local fire officials.

Texas woman who measures her life in eclipses is about to turn 21

A Texas woman says she's travelled to all seven continents, and even the oceans between them, in pursuit of total solar eclipses, seeing every one since 1998.

Canada's last evacuation flight from Haiti to leave Sunday, as demand for help drops

Canada is wrapping up its Haiti evacuation efforts, with a third and final flight set to depart from the Caribbean country on Sunday.

Millions in funding coming for homebuilding innovation initiatives, Trudeau says

The federal government intends to earmark more than $600 million in the upcoming budget for a series of new homebuilding innovation efforts aimed at scaling-up the development of modular and prefabricated homes in Canada.

Is decaf coffee safe to drink? Experts weigh in on claims by health advocacy groups

For people avoiding caffeine, decaf coffee seems like a harmless option. But some health advocacy groups that argue otherwise are petitioning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban a key chemical involved in the decaffeination process due to cancer concerns.

As the world ages, cancer cases are projected to rise, hitting some countries like 'a tidal wave'

Around the world each year, tens of millions of people are told they have cancer, and millions die from the disease. Now, a report from the American Cancer Society projects that by 2050, the number of people with cancer could rise 77 per cent.

'Plan for the worst': Eclipse viewings expected to put pressure on cellphone networks

With Monday's solar eclipse expected to draw tens of thousands to regions along the path of totality in Eastern Canada, major cellphone and internet providers say they're ready to handle a surge in wireless traffic in those areas.

Quebec app helps amateur astronomers watch the eclipse

Amateur astronomers or one-time eclipse enthusiasts can now use a new bilingual app to ensure they get the best experience on April 8.

New York City defends AI chatbot that advised entrepreneurs to break laws

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is defending the city's new artificial intelligence chatbot that has been caught in recent days giving business owners wrong answers or advice that, if followed, would entail breaking the law.

Entertainment

Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher announce their marriage ended last year

In a joint statement posted to their respective Instagram Stories on Friday, Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen announced that they filed to end their marriage at some point last year.

Kurt Cobain is still shaping culture – 30 years after the Nirvana frontman's death

Thirty years from his death on April 5 1994, the impact of Kurt Cobain and his band, Nirvana, and their values, still resonates in today’s culture and music.

Comic featuring Superman's first ever appearance sells for record US$6 million

A 1938 comic featuring Superman's first appearance sold for US$6 million at auction on Thursday, becoming the most expensive comic ever, according to Heritage Auctions, which handled the sale.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun was paid US$32.8 million in 2023

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun received total compensation of US$32.8 million for 2023, a 45 per cent increase from the US$22.6 million he received for 2022.

Canadian, U.S. markets rally after differing labour market reports

Canadian and American markets moved higher on Friday, with the TSX posting a new all-time closing high, even as jobs reports in both countries painted different economic pictures.

Expectations of a June interest rate cut solidify as cracks widen in labour market

Canada's unemployment rate jumped to 6.1 per cent in March as more people looked for work in an economy bogged down by high interest rates.

Legos take over Newfoundland's biggest museum

Newfoundland's biggest museum has transformed into a giant Lego playground, featuring designs made by creators young and old.

Japanese people could all be called Sato by 2531, study warns. But they'd need to get married first

Everyone in Japan could one day have the same surname unless its restrictive marriage laws change, according to a new study. But the country’s dwindling marriage rate could buck that trend and a rapidly declining population might render it moot entirely.

Regina woman shares special connection to previous homeowners through items left behind

A first time homebuyer found unique items left in a home and now shares a special relationship with the previous owners.

Blue Jays beat Yankees 3-0 in New York home opener behind Clement's tiebreaking pinch homer

Pinch-hitter Ernie Clement had a tiebreaking solo home run off Caleb Ferguson leading off the seventh inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Yankees 3-0 Friday in New York’s home opener.

Bronny James declares for NBA draft

Bronny James will enter the NBA draft after one season at Southern California that was shortened by his recovery from cardiac arrest.

Canada out of the gates with a 4-1 win over Finland in women's world hockey

Canada opened the women's world hockey championship with a 4-1 win over Finland on Thursday.

NEW | What are the chances police can find your stolen car? Canadians believe odds are low

A new poll from Nanos Research for CTV News has found that a majority of Canadians doubt the police are able to recover stolen cars.

Lamborghini written off after 13-year-old takes it for a joyride: West Vancouver police

A 13-year-old is facing several charges after crashing a Lamborghini on a West Vancouver highway, local police say.

Manitoba extending fuel tax holiday

The Manitoba government is extending the fuel tax holiday.

Local Spotlight

'Like an underwater puppy': B.C. woman forms lasting friendship with octopus

When Catherine Dobrowolski began doing daily walks by the water, she never expected to make an eight-legged friend.

Ground-breaking Canadian giraffe researcher Anne Innis Dagg dies at 91

Pioneering Canadian giraffe researcher and feminist activist Anne Innis Dagg has died at the age of 91.

Merlin the Macaw leaving Halifax for Ontario due to depression and stress

According to a news release from the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Merlin the Macaw, a resident mascot for the facility, is flying off to Safari Niagara in Fort Erie, Ontario.

Ontario family's car stolen from parking lot of Montreal hotel

A family from Ontario says their SUV was stolen from a hotel parking lot in Montreal while the family was on a March break vacation down south.

Ottawa snowbirds embark on epic bicycle journey back to Canada

Two adventurous snowbirds have embarked on an amazing journey back to Canada, and they're inviting the world to join in on their adventure.

'I'm indebted to these guys': First responder, former cop save N.S. man's life in hockey rink

A first responder and a former police officer saved a Nova Scotia man's life as he suffered a heart attack on ice in March.

'Pretty remarkable': Alberta distillery beats out Ireland, Scotland at international whisky competition

A distillery in Parkland County is being internationally recognized for outstanding whisky production – and one bottle in particular is getting all the attention.

This historical tavern in Toronto is closing after nearly 200 years

An historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors next week after nearly 200 years in business.

Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant

A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.

Man charged with manslaughter in 2023 shooting death in Grand Forks, B.C.

A 44-year-old man is facing a manslaughter charge nearly a year after a 33-year-old man was shot dead in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, according to police.

Toxic drug supply claimed 177 lives in B.C. in February, coroners service says

The BC Coroners Service says 177 people died in February due to “toxic, unregulated drugs."

Alberta's second grid alert in 2 days leads to rolling blackouts

The Alberta Electric System Operator issued another grid alert on Friday, the second in the past two days, and ENMAX says it led them to shut down power to a number of Calgary communities.

Castle Mountain ski season makes a late comeback as resort set to close Sunday

Castle Mountain Resort is making use of the spring snowfall before they close for the season Sunday.

New pay system adds to administrative burden, Ottawa doctors say

Instead of seeing patients for a full day on Friday, Dr. Ramsey Hijazi closed his office.

Solar Eclipse | Here's how solar eclipses affect animals

With a solar eclipse just around the corner, there has been a lot of buzz about protecting your eyes from the sun's rays, but what about our fur-friends?

Eastway Tank, owner plead guilty in 2022 explosion that killed 6 at Ottawa business

Eastway Tank and its owner, Neil Greene, have pleaded guilty to charges in connection to an explosion that killed six people at an Ottawa business more than two years ago.

Still 18,500 without power after snowfall in Quebec

There are 18,500 customers without electricity after major snowfall in Quebec.

Montreal public health warns of overdoses linked to alleged counterfeit Dilaudid use

Montreal public health is calling for vigilance after a recent death and several overdoses linked to the alleged consumption of hydromorphone, better known under the brand name Dilaudid.

Security footage catches hit-and-run driver checking vehicle for damage before leaving the scene

A driver suspected in a hit-and-run crash Sunday was identified by police just hours after a video of them checking their car for damage was released.

Grid alert results in temporary outages for thousands of Edmontonians

Thousands of Edmonton residents were briefly left in the dark on Friday morning as a result of rotating outages.

'Severe weather' caused northwest power outages: Epcor

Severe weather caused power outages on Friday in three northwest industrial areas and a neighbourhood that includes the Telus World of Science, says a city utility company.

N.B. man sentenced for trying to smuggle 71 kilos of cocaine into Canada

A New Brunswick man will serve a nine-year prison sentence for trying to smuggle 71.5 kilograms of cocaine into Canada.

First female Speaker of the House in Nova Scotia announces retirement

The first female Speak of the House of Assembly in Nova Scotia announced her retirement on Friday.

3 people arrested for drug trafficking in Mahone Bay: N.S. RCMP

Three people have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking after a traffic stop in Mahone Bay, N.S., led to police seizing cocaine.

'A problem for life': Students and staff react to University of Winnipeg cyberattack

Those impacted by the cyberattack that hit the University of Winnipeg last month say they are worried about the possibility of their personal data falling into the wrong hands.

Portage Place to be transformed into health centre, affordable housing

A new health-care centre will be built at the site of Portage Place in downtown Winnipeg.

Man shoots himself during kidnapping: RCMP

Two people are facing charges after a kidnapping in Gods Lake Narrows.

Regina's REAL required to pay feds $8M after CRA audit of pandemic relief program

A City of Regina memo posted on social media shows that Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) will be required to pay the federal government $8 million in wage subsidies stemming from a 2020 pandemic relief program it applied for.

A Sask. man found injured hours after RCMP failed to complete requested wellness check has died

A Saskatchewan man who RCMP were supposed to perform a wellness check on, but never did, has died, prompting an investigation from the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT).

Education minister slams WRDSB eclipse reversal

Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the Waterloo Region District School Board’s abrupt decision to close schools Monday during the solar eclipse is “entirely unacceptable.”

Puck set to drop on Game 5 for the Kitchener Rangers

The Kitchener Rangers are hoping a win Friday night will give them the edge in their playoff series against the Erie Otters.

Perth County mourning death of young paramedic

A Perth County paramedic who died suddenly on vacation in Switzerland is being remembered by her colleagues as a bright, caring person.

'I'm frustrated': Sask. government cuts ties with legal clinic, CLASSIC

The Saskatchewan government has cut ties with an organization that provides free legal help to those living in poverty.

Northern Ontario

Community near Sudbury is short $3M in reserve funds

Residents of Markstay-Warren, a community just east of Sudbury, were brought up to speed on their municipality’s financial situation during a special council meeting Thursday evening.

Fires destroy northwestern Ont. First Nation band office, home

Far North Police are investigating fires that destroyed the North Spirit Lake First Nation band office and an abandoned home in the remote northwestern Ontario community.

McNorgan found guilty in death of 8-year-old Girl Guide and injuries to seven others

Petronella McNorgan has been found guilty of one count of criminal negligence causing death and seven counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

Parents on trial for allegedly sexually abusing their own children

A disturbing trial began Friday in a London, Ont. courtroom involving a couple accused of sexual abuse with their own children.

Residents worry about 'volatile' Richmond Row atmosphere after man dies in fight

A London, Ont. man has been charged with manslaughter after a fight on Richmond Row last week that led to another man’s death.

Woman, 18, facing second-degree murder charge in Orillia man's death granted bail

An 18-year-old woman facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of an Orillia man in December walked out of a Barrie courthouse on Thursday morning.

Emergency crews attend multi-vehicle collision on Highway 9

Police have a section of Highway 9 closed for a serious multi-vehicle collision in Caledon.

Former Barrie councillor seeks millions in damages over alleged confidentiality breach

A former Barrie city councillor and mayoral candidate is seeking millions of dollars in damages from the City and an unnamed individual, alleging confidential information was released to the public, damaging his reputation.

'We want everybody to be safe': Beefed up OPP presence for Monday’s eclipse

Essex County OPP are informing the public about several road closures planned for the solar eclipse due to the influx of people in the region.

One person suffers serious injuries after Wyandotte Street robbery

The Windsor Police Service is asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect wanted for robbery.

Free solar eclipse glasses available on Sunday

Solar eclipse glasses have been a hot commodity in Windsor-Essex as the big day approaches.

Vancouver Island

Search for b.c. orca calf's pod, ahead of rescue that could occur next week: chief.

Rescuers will be searching waters off Vancouver Island for the family of an orca calf stranded in a lagoon, in the hopes to reuniting them with the young whale after a rescue attempt that could happen next week.

2 men injured after 'road rage' incident with Dodge Ram driver, Kelowna RCMP say

Mounties are investigating a reported "road rage" incident in Kelowna, B.C., that left two men injured last week.

Unstable nearby construction site forces evacuation of apartment in Kelowna, B.C.

More than 80 residents of a low-income apartment building in Kelowna, B.C., have been told they need to leave over a 'significant' risk to life and safety.

Kelowna man shot dead inside his auto shop, family says

A man was fatally shot in Kelowna on Wednesday, according to his sister, during an incident Mounties had been tight-lipped about.

'Not pleased with the result': Lethbridge Hurricanes looking ahead to next season after first-round exit

The Lethbridge Hurricanes were bounced out of the playoffs earlier this week by the Swift Current Broncos after a double-overtime thriller.

'Hasn't lost its momentum': Green Shirt Day continues to inspire 6 years after Humboldt Broncos crash

This Saturday marks the sixth anniversary of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash and the start of Green Shirt Day, honouring the legacy of Logan Boulet.

Sault Ste. Marie

Two men fined $2K each for illegal baitfish sales in northern Ont.

An Ontario man and a Quebec resident have each been fined $2,000 for their part in the illegal sale of baitfish in 2021.

Northern Ont. mother, daughter duo celebrate $1M Encore win

The mother and daughter duo, Helen Ackerland and Mary Hayward of Sturgeon Falls matched all seven Encore numbers in the exact order in the Feb. 19 Lotto Max draw to win $1 million.

Mysterious Newfoundland shipwreck finally out of the water

It took a few cuts with a chainsaw and the full strength of a 30-ton excavator, but a mysterious Newfoundland shipwreck has finally been pulled out of the water near the small community of Cape Ray.

Premiers making 'political hay' out of carbon pricing increase, Trudeau says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says premiers would rather complain and 'make political hay' out of his federal carbon pricing program than present an alternative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Shopping Trends

The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.  Read about us.

Editor's Picks

There's a total solar eclipse in canada next week, and here’s how to prepare, 14 of the best interactive dog toys to stimulate your dog's mind, if you're ready to dip your toes into spring cleaning, you'll want to order at least one of these amazon products, if you love cooking, feast your eyes on these 18 aesthetically pleasing kitchen products, 19 amazon canada products that'll solve a bunch of your little problems, our guide to the best office chairs in canada in 2024 (and where to get them), 20 gifts that are so great, you'll want to keep them for yourself, 19 of the best mother's day gifts under $50, 19 foolproof mother's day gifts to order if you want to get your shopping done early, if you hate hate razors and waxing, allow me to introduce you to your new favourite at-home hair removal devices, 16 eye creams that people with mature skin swear by, rosemary oil and 11 other products that reviewers swear by for hair growth, stay connected.

• KAYAK for Business NEW

United States Travel Restrictions

Traveller's COVID-19 vaccination status

Travelling from Canada to the United States

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required on public transportation.

Ready to travel?

Find flights to the united states, find stays in the united states, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, united arab emirates, united kingdom, united states, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Can I travel to the United States from Canada?

Most visitors from Canada, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United States.

Can I travel to the United States if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from Canada can enter the United States without restrictions.

Can I travel to the United States without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from Canada can enter the United States without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter the United States?

Visitors from Canada are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering the United States.

Can I travel to the United States without quarantine?

Travellers from Canada are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in the United States?

Mask usage in the United States is not required on public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in the United States?

Restaurants in the United States are open. Bars in the United States are .

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

COVID-19 international travel advisories

If you plan to visit the U.S., you do not need to be tested or vaccinated for COVID-19. U.S. citizens going abroad, check with the Department of State for travel advisories.

COVID-19 testing and vaccine rules for entering the U.S.

• As of May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S.  arriving by air  or  arriving by land or sea  no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 
• As of June 12, 2022,  people entering the U.S. no longer need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test . 

U.S. citizens traveling to a country outside the U.S.

Find country-specific COVID-19 travel rules from the Department of State.

See the  CDC's COVID-19 guidance for safer international travel.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

Have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

U.S. House votes to end foreign air traveler COVID vaccine requirement

Get weekly news and analysis on the U.S. elections and how it matters to the world with the newsletter On the Campaign Trail. Sign up here.

Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Stephen Coates

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Baltimore bridge collapse: What happened and what is the death toll?

Work is underway to begin clearing the wreckage of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge more than a week after a faltering cargo ship crashed into it, sending the span collapsing into the harbor and killing six construction workers who were thrown into the water.

Spanish police have arrested two people and raided several homes in Madrid as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering linked to the Venezuelan government, Spain's High Court said on Friday.

Mobile Menu Overlay

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Releases Additional Detail for Implementing a Safer, More Stringent International Air Travel   System

As we continue to work to protect people from COVID-19, today, the Biden Administration is releasing additional detail around implementation of the new international air travel policy requiring foreign national travelers to the United States to be fully vaccinated. This updated policy puts in place an international travel system that is stringent, consistent across the globe, and guided by public health. Starting on November 8, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the U.S., with only limited exceptions. The updated travel guidelines also include new protocols around testing. To further strengthen protections, unvaccinated travelers – whether U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), or the small number of excepted unvaccinated foreign nationals – will now need to test within one day of departure. Today, the Administration is releasing the following documents to implement these requirements: 1) a Presidential Proclamation to Advance the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic; 2) three Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention (CDC) Orders on vaccination, testing, and contact tracing; and 3) technical instructions to provide implementation details to the airlines and their passengers.  With science and public health as our guide, the United States has developed a new international air travel system that both enhances the safety of Americans here at home and enhances the safety of international air travel. The additional detail released today provides airlines and international air travelers with time to prepare for this new policy ahead of the November 8 implementation date. As previously announced, fully vaccinated foreign nationals will also be able to travel across the Northern and Southwest land borders for non-essential reasons, such as tourism, starting on November 8. Additional detail on amendments to restrictions with respect to land borders will be available in the coming days. Travelers can find full details about today’s air travel announcement on the CDC and Department of State websites.  A summary is below: Fully Vaccinated Status:

• Starting on November 8, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the U.S.

Proof of Vaccination:

• For foreign nationals, proof of vaccination will be required – with very limited exceptions – to board the plane.
• Match the name and date of birth to confirm the passenger is the same person reflected on the proof of vaccination;
• Determine that the record was issued by an official source (e.g., public health agency, government agency) in the country where the vaccine was given;
• Review the essential information for determining if the passenger meets CDC’s definition for fully vaccinated such as vaccine product, number of vaccine doses received, date(s) of administration, site (e.g., vaccination clinic, health care facility) of vaccination.
• The Biden Administration will work closely with the airlines to ensure that these new requirements are implemented successfully.

Accepted Vaccines:

• CDC has determined that for purposes of travel to the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use listed (EUL) vaccines.
• Individuals can be considered fully vaccinated ≥2 weeks after receipt of the last dose if they have received any single dose of an FDA approved/authorized or WHO EUL approved single-dose series (i.e., Janssen), or any combination of two doses of an FDA approved/authorized or WHO emergency use listed COVID-19 two-dose series (i.e. mixing and matching).
• More details are available in the CDC Annex here .

Enhanced Testing:

• Previously, all travelers were required to produce a negative viral test result within three days of travel to the United States.
• Both nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), such as a PCR test, and antigen tests qualify.
• As announced in September, the new system tightens those requirements, so that unvaccinated U.S. Citizens and LPRs will need to provide a negative test taken within one day of traveling.
• That means that all fully vaccinated U.S. Citizens and LPRs traveling to the United States should be prepared to present documentation of their vaccination status alongside their negative test result.
• For those Americans who can show they are fully vaccinated, the same requirement currently in place will apply – they have to produce a negative test result within three days of travel.
• For anyone traveling to the United States who cannot demonstrate proof of full vaccination, they will have to produce documentation of a negative test within one day of departure.

Requirements for Children:

• Children under 18 are excepted from the vaccination requirement for foreign national travelers, given both the ineligibility of some younger children for vaccination, as well as the global variability in access to vaccination for older children who are eligible to be vaccinated.
• Children between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure test.
• If traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, an unvaccinated child can test three days prior to departure (consistent with the timeline for fully vaccinated adults). If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, they will have to test within one day of departure.

Limited Exceptions from the Vaccination Requirement:

• There are a very limited set of exceptions from the vaccination requirement for foreign nationals. These include exceptions for children under 18, certain COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants, those with medical contraindications to the vaccines, those who need to travel for emergency or humanitarian reasons (with a US government-issued letter affirming the urgent need to travel), those who are traveling on non-tourist visas from countries with low-vaccine availability (as determined by the CDC), and other very narrow categories.
• Those who receive an exception will generally be required to attest they will comply with applicable public health requirements, including, with very limited exceptions, a requirement that they be vaccinated in the U.S. if they intend to stay here for more than 60 days.

Contact Tracing:

• The CDC is also issuing a Contact Tracing Order that requires all airlines flying into the United States to keep on hand – and promptly turn over to the CDC, when needed – contact information that will allow public health officials to follow up with inbound air travelers who are potentially infected or have been exposed to someone who is infected.
• This is a critical public health measure both to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of new variants of COVID-19 as well as to add a critical prevention tool to address other public health threats.

Stay Connected

We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better.

Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden.

CDC Relaxes COVID Vaccination Rules for Foreign Travelers

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, April 28, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Travelers to the United States will now only need a single bivalent COVID vaccine from either Pfizer or Moderna to enter the country, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday.

The loosening of vaccination requirements for foreign travelers comes as many other countries have already done so.

"Because some traveler vaccine records might not specify whether recent Moderna or Pfizer doses received were bivalent, CDC will consider anybody with record of a single dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine issued on or after August 16, 2022, to meet the requirements," because that was when bivalent vaccines first became available, the agency said in an update to its website.

Earlier this month, the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration changed the vaccine schedule so that unvaccinated Americans could be considered fully vaccinated with just get one dose of bivalent vaccine instead of the earlier versions, CBS News reported.

U.S. Cities With the Most Homelessness

Another federal agency, the U.S.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, announced that healthcare workers would be considered "fully vaccinated" with the one bivalent dose.

Travel industry officials have said they expected the vaccination requirement to be allowed to expire altogether, CBS News reported.

At this point, the Transportation Security Administration has renewed the requirement through May 11.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said there was no update on the requirement, CBS News reported.

More information

The World Health Organization has more on COVID-19.

SOURCE: CBS News

Copyright © 2023 HealthDay . All rights reserved.

Join the Conversation

Tags: vaccines , driving , Travel

America 2024

Health News Bulletin

Stay informed on the latest news on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report.

Sign in to manage your newsletters »

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

You May Also Like

The 10 worst presidents.

U.S. News Staff Feb. 23, 2024

Cartoons on President Donald Trump

Feb. 1, 2017, at 1:24 p.m.

Photos: Obama Behind the Scenes

April 8, 2022

Photos: Who Supports Joe Biden?

March 11, 2020

RFK Jr.’s Mixed-Up Messaging on Jan. 6

Susan Milligan April 5, 2024

EXPLAINER: Rare Human Case of Bird Flu

Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder April 5, 2024

Friday’s Northeast Earthquake, Explained

Steven Ross Johnson April 5, 2024

The Dark Clouds Looming Over the Eclipse

Blowout: Jobs Gains Defy Expectations

Tim Smart April 5, 2024

‘Unity Ticket’ a No-Go for No Labels

Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder April 4, 2024

It's about to get much easier for Canadians to travel to the United States

Latest Videos

Practically all travel conditions have returned to normal since the height of cross-border restrictions in 2020, all except for one.

As of March 2023, a full three years after the first travel restrictions were imposed on Canadians, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have still yet to fully reinstate their joint NEXUS enrolment centres in Canadian airports.

That will all change in the coming weeks as the CBSA and U.S. CBP move forward with their commitment to reopen all airport NEXUS enrolment centres this spring.

The move is designed to not only expand the program's capacity, but also improve the delivery time of NEXUS cards for the thousands of travellers who request memberships every month.

A new two-step enrolment option for air travellers will involve the Canadian portion of the application completed at enrolment centres staffed with CBSA officers, and a second step where U.S. CBP officers interview NEXUS applicants at Canadian airport preclearance locations when they depart Canada to fly to the U.S.

Any NEXUS applicants conditionally approved or are renewing existing memberships, and who require an interview, will be able to book the Canadian portion of their interview at participating airports through the Trusted Traveller Programs scheduler.

Launched in 2000, the NEXUS program is designed to ease the headaches associated with U.S-Canada border crossings by fast-tracking frequent cross-border travellers through security .

Demand for NEXUS cards is very high since the lifting of travel restrictions, and there have been over 300,000 completed enrolments since October, cutting down on the peak backlog of 130,000 this past summer.

As of Monday March 20, travellers can book interviews at select Canadian airports starting on the following dates.

• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)

Marco Mendicino, MP and federal Minister of Public Safety, calls the expansion of NEXUS "a win-win for Canada and the United States," and hails the latest "new, flexible solutions to cut wait times and enlarge the program."

"The reopening of NEXUS airport enrolment centres in Canada is making a major difference – reducing the backlog, expanding capacity and helping more people get NEXUS cards," added Mendicino, citing the program's contribution to creating "billions in economic activity on both sides of the border."

Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Travel

Toronto Pearson Airport warns of flight delays after earthquake rattles New York

Canadians aren't impressed with WestJet's new paid seat option

Hotel prices in Niagara Falls are totally out of control for solar eclipse

Here's how the 2024 solar eclipse could affect flights in Ontario

Expert says budget Canadian airline won't make it to Thanksgiving

WestJet introducing paid seat option that'll give you early access to overhead bins

Toronto travellers allege they were stuck at airport for '30 hours' after flight delayed

Flight attendant from airline known for disappearing staff arrested in Toronto

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Credit card rates
• Balance transfer credit cards
• Business credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Checking accounts
• Online checking accounts
• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Home buying
• Options pit
• Investment ideas
• Research reports
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Canada Drops Vaccine Requirements, Visitors No Longer Need To Quarantine

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

After two years Canada is finally allowing Americans who are unvaccinated into the country without quarantining. And making it simpler for vaccinated travelers as well.

On September 30th Canada will lift its vaccine requirements for visitors. Also on September 30th, Canada will end random COVID arrival tests and make it optional for visitors to use the ArriveCan app. However, everyone will be required to continue to wear masks on planes to and from Canada as well as public transportation.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been under pressure by voters and politicians to lift restrictions. The opposing party’s Pierre Poilivere has been campaigning for Canada to drop the ArriveCan app and lift all COVID restrictions.

Since March of 2020, the U.S.-Canada border has been shut down since the start of the pandemic. In August 2021 Canada reopened its border but Canada’s restrictions and enforcement had many differences from the United States’ policies.

The U.S. and Canada both require foreign visitors to be vaccinated to enter the country. However, Canada will allow unvaccinated travelers to enter the country under the requirement that the visitor must quarantine for 14 days. At the moment, foreign travelers that are vaccinated must upload their COVID-19 documentation through the ArriveCan app before entering Canada.

Canadian and U.S. officials have petitioned Trudeau and Biden to lift border restrictions and restore their policies to a pre-pandemic state.  Also, current restrictions are hurting the economies of those communities along the borders.

There is also push from business leaders and government officials in the United States to lift COVID-19 restrictions. As the restrictions are also affecting local economies and communities in the U.S. as well. Only time will tell if the U.S. will follow in Canada’s lead to restore policies to pre-pandemic times.

Recommended Stories

Andrew siciliano, face of 'red zone channel,' and others out at nfl network, per report.

NFL Network is laying off four of its most popular and talented on-air personalities.

Warriors take Rockets' Tari Eason to task for wearing taunting T-shirt on bench

The Warriors blew out the Rockets 133-110.

Rashee Rice didn't learn from the past, maybe other NFL players will learn from Rice

Rashee Rice should have taken a lesson from recent history.

US economy has Wall Street 'borderline speechless' after blowout March jobs report

The March jobs report was the latest piece of economic data to surprise Wall Street analysts and send stocks rallying.

NFL mock draft: Patriots trade out of No. 3 but still get their QB, and what do Bills do after Stefon Diggs trade?

As we turn toward the draft, here's Charles McDonald and Nate Tice's latest lively mock.

Vontae Davis, former NFL star, found dead in Miami home at age 35

Davis published a children's book about his life in 2019

What the total solar eclipse could mean for your zodiac sign: An astrologer breaks it down

An astrologist weighs in on the 2024 solar eclipse.

Royals owner's wife warns team could move to Kansas after ballpark funding proposal voted down

Marny Sherman, the wife of Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman, warned that Missouri could lose both the Royals and Kansas City Chiefs after a stadium funding proposal was voted down.

Rashee Rice apologizes for 'my part' in crash while injured couple reportedly lawyer up

Rice reportedly owned the Corvette and leased the Lamborghini involved in the crash.

USWNT captain Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan issue statement after Korbin Albert apologizes for anti-LGBTQ content

Morgan alluded to some "hard conversations" with Albert over the past week.

WrestleMania 40: Predictions for every match on Nights 1 and 2

WWE's biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 40, takes place this weekend at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The two-night extravaganza features 13 matches, with all seven of WWE's major championships on the line. Here's how we predict the event will unfold.

Dodgers couldn't avoid drama even with Shohei Ohtani's 1st HR ball

The fan who caught Ohtani's first Dodgers home run reportedly isn't happy with how she was treated.

A's reach deal to play in Sacramento while waiting for Las Vegas stadium

The A's will head to Las Vegas by way of Sacramento.

The A’s are going to Sacramento, a Marlins fire sale & the good, the bad and the Uggla

Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about the A’s moving to Sacramento, the Marlins possibly becoming sellers very soon and give their good, bad and Uggla’s from this week in baseball.

NFL Draft: Favorite prospects, from no-doubt No. 1 pick to some old-school running backs

As we turn toward the draft, Charles McDonald gives you his 11 favorite prospects in this class, with some marquee names — and others that may someday become one.

Biden is getting antsy about rising gas prices

The president isn't saying so, but the administration's behind-the-scenes actions reveal a fear that rising gas prices could doom his reelection effort.

Mock Draft Monday with Field Yates: You will be shocked how early Bo Nix goes

'Mock Draft Monday' rolls on ESPN's Field Yates joining Matt Harmon to break down his latest mock draft. Harmon has Yates break down his mock draft methodology and what goes into his decision making when placing certain prospects on certain teams.

Trump Media stock tanks as new filing reveals heavy losses, 'greater risks' on Trump's involvement

After a strong debut last week, shares of Donald Trump's media company were under pressure Monday after meager sales and deep losses were revealed in a new filing with the SEC.

Dallas mayor hints at bringing Chiefs to Cowboys territory after stadium vote fails

This obviously isn't happening.

5 hitters surprising early this MLB season, including the Astros' Yainer Diaz and Yankees' Anthony Volpe

If these five hitters can sustain their hot starts, their 2024 breakouts could be difference-makers for their teams.

How Canadians can travel to the United State (entry rules for all nationalities)

• Post author: Andrew D'Amours
• Post published: May 1, 2023
• Post category: Travel tips / Trip planning tips
• Post comments: 171 Comments

OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED: The United States vaccination requirement is ending on May 11th at the end of the day! Here are the current rules.

The united states is statistically the most popular destination for canadians (by far), and travelers from many other countries love going there as well. unfortunately, there are still covid-19 travel requirements in the usa (even though it’s not logical)..

As part of Flytrippers’ mission to help travelers, here is a complete guide on how to travel to the United States specifically. This guide is for all nationalities, as the USA’s COVID-19 rules are the same for Canadians, for Brits, or for Indians for example.

(By the way, for Canadians, Flytrippers always spots cheap flight deals to the USA on its main page , and there are currently 2 very good Aeroplan welcome bonuses that each give you 5 roundtrip reward flights to the USA — the American Express Cobalt Card , one of the highest currently available in Canada and always the best card overall, or the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card with an increased offer ending May 28th!)

Here’s how to travel to the United States right now.

Overview of how to travel to the United States

First, I’ll share the essentials you need to know about how to travel to the United States right now (since April 2021, I have gone there 15 times myself and I’m following the rules closely every day for you).

Then below, I’ll give you:

• ALL the details about every aspect of the USA rules
• The simplified step-by-step process to travel to the USA (based on your vaccination status)

So here’s the infographic that visually summarizes the USA’s rules.

Here are the basics of the rules to travel to the USA:

• Especially rules that are as antiscience as these
• No rules to board flights itself and no rules to exit
• There has never been anything other than rules for entry
• As in every other country by the way (except Canada🤡)
• Congress and the CDC have made recent announcements 
• That had nothing to do with removing the entry rules
• They have not confirmed it would be renewed
• They have not confirmed it would not be renewed
• Join 100,000+ savvy and well-informed travelers

Here are the rules themselves:

• Proof of a negative test cannot replace proof of vaccination
• Entry by air, including transits (from all countries)
• Entry by land (from Canada and Mexico)
• Entry by sea (ONLY from Canada and Mexico)
• Entry by sea (from countries OTHER than Canada and Mexico)
• For example by ferry from the Bahamas or the Dominican Republic

And here are a few important details about the requirement:

• It’s not often enforced by land
• There are a few exemptions, especially for all minors
• The definition of “vaccinated” was just changed
• The definition is still very broad — and objectively outdated
• Many types of proof are accepted (no QR code required)
• There are 2 government websites for all the official details

Details of how to travel to the United States

Here’s all the information you need about COVID-19 travel rules in the USA.

Logic of the rules to travel to the USA

There is absolutely no rational or scientific justification possible for these current rules in the USA; it’s not even debatable.

The experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) have recommended eliminating all restrictions since January 2022 (over 15 months ago) and almost every country has eliminated everything (even Canada, that was among worst in terms of covidanxiety)!

The WHO analysis demonstrated that restrictions had no impact at all (completely unsurprisingly for all those who kept their critical thinking skills instead of just blindly believing everything politicians say).

President Biden said the pandemic was over, their public health agency said having rules based on vaccination status no longer made sense, and every epidemiology expert said that vaccines received 2 years ago don’t protect any more…

So naturally , the USA still has a rule based on vaccination status that accepts a vaccine received 2+ years ago (but not a negative test or proof of immunity) and that is not even in effect if you arrive by certain countries by boat to boot…

And it’s those who criticize that who are wrong according to some who won’t get over all this until 2025, if ever…

Rules to travel once you’ve entered the USA

There has never been any requirement for a domestic flight in the USA (like in almost every county in the world) or for exiting the USA.

There are only rules for entry , it’s that simple.

Once you’ve entered (no matter how), there are no requirements for domestic flights (no matter who you are or your nationality). International flights that depart from the USA (including to return to Canada by plane) only apply the entry rules for that destination (if any). Because entry rules are the only thing that exist.

It’s one of the reasons why many Canadians fly out of American airports across the border .

Finally, some American territories (and even the state of Hawaii) had their own stricter entry rules IN ADDITION to the federal entry rules, but this is no longer the case.

Confusion around the rules to travel to the USA

Many people (including many media outlets) often mix up plenty of different travel rules and announcements together .

Absolutely nothing has changed to the vaccination requirement itself since the start, except the changes to the definition of “vaccinated” (the vaccines accepted), as recently as April 2023. That hasn’t changed anything about the end date for the requirement.

Congress has voted on the national emergency declaration (both the House and Senate), but that has nothing to do with entry rules. Even the USA’s other state of emergency, the public health state of emergency, is completely distinct and separate from the requirements for travelers.

The House of Representatives actually did vote to end the vaccination requirement for travelers back in early February, but the Senate needs to do the same and has done nothing since February 2023. We’re following this too.

End date for the rules to travel to the USA

The current requirement theoretically expires at the end of the day on May 11th . It’s not certain though! Every previous time, the requirement was extended about 1 week before the expiry date.

NOTHING has been announced. Not an extension, not a removal. Nothing.

As soon as something is announced, this guide will be updated! May 4th should be the day when an announcement is done, based on the previous extensions. We should know by the end of this week either way!

This time, it seems plausible for the requirement not to be extended at least.

Because Biden announced a long time ago that the public health emergency will end May 11. This has nothing to do with the entry requirement per se (it’s completely separate), but it likely means the vaccination requirement will end then too.

Especially since they extended it until the 11th (instead of the 10th the previous time) to coincide with the end of the state of emergency. They extended it for just 1 month and 1 day (instead of 3 months the previous time), so it’s looking good.

Many find it strange that they updated the definition of “vaccinated” twice in April 2023 (after making zero changes at all to the requirement since it’s been in place in November 2021) if they were going to remove it just a few weeks later. Indeed, but that was probably just to align with the new CDC recommendations.

I still believe the removal of the requirement on May 11th is the most likely scenario . But nothing is guaranteed, especially when they clearly don’t care about being logical.

Updates about the rules to travel to the USA

If you want to be the first to receive all the updates about the American rules (whether it’s an extension of the requirement), sign up for our free newsletter .

(Over 100,000 people already receive all our content for savvy travelers!)

Free newsletter for travelers

Test requirement to travel to the USA

There is no COVID-19 test requirement to travel to the United States since June 2022.

There is also no option to provide proof of a negative test as an alternative to proof of vaccination (it’s one of the only countries in the world with such an antiscience rule).

Requirements to transit in the USA

The rules are exactly the same if you are just connecting in an American airport on your way to one of the many countries open to Canadian travelers or if you are just going to the USA. It’s one of the few countries in the world where sterile international transits simply do not exist.

Transiting in the USA has therefore always required you to enter the country the same as those who aren’t transiting. And that means you always had to follow all the same entry rules even if you just have a layover in the USA (which is far from being the case for connections in other countries).

You can read the detailed article about the transits in the United States during COVID-19 .

Vaccination requirement to travel to the USA

The United States has a vaccination requirement for almost all modes of entry.

You need to be vaccinated if you enter the USA:

• By air, including transits (from all countries)
• By land (from Canada and Mexico)
• By sea (ONLY from Canada and Mexico)

You do not need to be vaccinated if you enter the USA:

• By sea (from countries OTHER than Canada and Mexico)

It’s really true! Absurdly, the requirement doesn’t apply everywhere : there are absolutely no COVID-19 requirements if you enter by ferry from the Dominican Republic or the Bahamas, for example).

Flytrippers exclusive: Borders where the USA vaccination requirement does not apply

Quite the science, right? Maybe the sea breeze in those very specific locations purifies your body of COVID-19?

(“Every rule is based on science!”)

Enforcement of the rules to travel to the USA

Just because the rule exists doesn’t mean it’s always enforced though!

By air, airlines are the only ones in charge of enforcing the requirement, not customs agents. Airlines are applying it less and less strictly (definitely not 100% of the time), but they apply it often .

By land, it’s really not enforced very strictly . Many customs agents don’t ask anything at all and among those who ask a question about vaccination, most don’t ask for proof. We’ve received hundreds of testimonials and it doesn’t seem to be asked often.

By sea (from Canada or Mexico), we didn’t get many testimonials unfortunately. We can assume it’s similar to the land border, since customs agents are in charge of enforcement there too.

By sea (from countries OTHER than Canada or Mexico), I repeat that it’s not just not enforced: it’s really that the rule simply does NOT exist . It’s the only way that’s guaranteed to work for those who are not vaccinated, according to the official rules.

Exemptions to the rules to travel to the USA

There are 4 main exemptions to the United States vaccination requirement:

• Those who are American
• Those who are under 18
• Those on some “essential” trips
• Those with proof of medical exemptions

Americans (including certain types of immigrants) are all exempt, because all along the pandemic, a country’s entry restrictions never applied to their own citizens (even though a lot of people had a hard time understanding this). It’s in part why the rule still exists: many Americans don’t even know it still exists since they’re exempt (or don’t care since they’re exempt).

The most relevant exemption for foreign travelers is that all minors are completely exempt . To be very clear, there is NO requirement for anyone under the age of 18. That simple.

Essential trips that are exempt include trips for airplane crews and boat crews, diplomatic/government trips, humanitary/emergency trips, and trips approved by certain Cabinet secretaries (their equivalent of ministers).

Finally, medical exemptions include those who participated in certain vaccine trials and those who have proof of medical contraindication for the vaccine (with a signed letter from a doctor).

Definition of “vaccinated” to travel to the USA

This was recently updated (on April 19th and April 27th).

The definition of “vaccinated” is very broad in the USA (and still outdated scientifically). This definition is obviously not necessarily the same in every country.

You are considered vaccinated by the USA if you have:

• The accepted proof of your vaccination (see next section)
• The number of doses required (either 1 or 2 doses, depending on the type)
• The minimum period after your last required dose (14 days)

Here are the vaccines accepted with just 1 dose :

• Johnson & Johnson/Janssen
• CanSinoBIO/Convidecia
• Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent (or received AFTER August 16th, 2022)
• Moderna Bivalent (or received AFTER August 16th, 2022)

Here are the vaccines accepted if you have received 2 doses :

• Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty (if received BEFORE August 16th, 2022)
• Moderna/Spikevax (if received BEFORE August 16th, 2022)
• AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria
• BIBP/Sinopharm
• CoronaVac/Sinovac
• Nuvaxovid/Novavax

There is a minimum wait time of 14 days after your last required dose as mentioned.

But there is no maximum validity period for your doses. So even vaccines received over 2 years ago are accepted. No booster dose is required, rendering all this very antiscientific.

To be very clear, if you got Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, only 1 dose is required if was received AFTER August 16th 2022. You can still enter with those types of vaccines if you got them before, but then you need 2 doses. That’s what just changed.

Proof of vaccination to travel to the USA

Having a QR code is not necessary, contrary to another common myth.

First, the proof must have 4 mandatory things:

• Your full name AND either your date of birth or passport number
• The source of the proof (name of the country, health agency, or provider)
• The vaccine type (manufacturer)
• The vaccination date

Officially, there are 3 options accepted as proof:

• Vaccination certificate with QR code
• Digital pass via Smartphone application with QR code
• “Canadian” vaccine passport for travel
• United Kingdom National Health Service COVID Pass
• European Union Digital COVID Certificate
• Printout of COVID-19 vaccination record
• Printout of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate
• Must have been issued at national or subnational level or by an authorized vaccine provider
• The CDC vaccination card
• Digital photos of vaccination card or record
• Downloaded vaccine record from official source
• Downloaded vaccination certificate from official source
• Public health agency
• Government agency
• Other authorized vaccine provider
• Mobile phone application without QR code

The proof doesn’t officially need to be in English, but in the case of entry by air, since airlines are the ones who verify, they need to be able to read it and they may have their own language requirements.

Like anything in the world of travel, it’s simpler if it’s in English.

Official government websites to travel to the USA

For all your trips, you always need to look at the countries’ entry rules.

For rules related to COVID-19, it could not be any simpler to find them: the official database with all the entry rules is the same for literally every country ! It’s the IATA website .

Official database for every country's travel rules

However, what is not as simple is finding the specifics for each country’s rules.

For the United States, there are 2 government websites with all the official information:

• CDC website (requirement by air)
• U.S. CBP website (requirement by land and by sea from Canada/Mexico)

The CDC website is the one with the most information if you have questions about something we haven’t covered in this guide.

Timeline of rules to travel to the USA

Here are all the relevant dates and announcements since 2021:

• Vaccination requirement in effect
• Until November 8th, 2022 (theoretically)
• Test requirement in effect
• End of test requirement
• Extension of vaccination requirement announced
• Until January 8th, 2023 (theoretically)
• Until April 10th, 2023 (theoretically)
• Elimination of the national state of emergency announced
• Elimination of the public health emergency announced
• Planned for May 11th, 2023
• Vote against the vaccination requirement in the U.S. House
• No impact (the Senate would need to pass this too)
• Vote to end the national state of emergency in the Senate
• No impact on the vaccination requirement
• Until May 11th, 2023 (theoretically)
• End of the national state of emergency 
• New definition of “vaccinated” announced
• Change to the new definition of “vaccinated” announced
• End of the national state of emergency (planned
• Theoretical end of the vaccination requirement ( to be continued )

Step-by-step process to travel to the USA (based on vaccination status)

As a reminder, if you haven’t read how to travel during the pandemic , there are always the same 2 simple sets of rules for any trip and any destination:

• To enter the countries where you are going to
• To enter Canada for your return (or your own country if it’s another one)

There are no other pandemic rules, it’s really not that complicated.

Here are the details of those rules for trips to the United States, based on your vaccination status.

Vaccinated adult travelers: Rules to travel to the USA

Here is how vaccinated Canadian adults can currently travel to the USA based on those 2 sets of rules you always have to look at.

Set of rules #1

• You do not need anything at all to enter the USA, just your proof of vaccination

Set of rules #2

• All rules have been lifted for all travelers

Basically, it’s very simple if you’re vaccinated: Enter the USA by land or by air with no requirement (you can then fly anywhere in the country test-free  of course).

Then there is nothing left to enter Canada.

We recommend joining savvy travelers like me and becoming a NEXUS member , it makes everything infinitely faster: you’ll avoid almost all wait lines for travel in Canada and the USA. Another pro tip that’s so simple but that most people, unfortunately, don’t even know exists.

Unvaccinated adult travelers: Rules to travel to the USA

Here is how unvaccinated Canadian adults can currently travel to the USA based on the mode of entry.

Entering the USA by land while unvaccinated

It’s simple: Unvaccinated Canadian adults theoretically cannot enter the United States by land at all since November 8, 2021.

Since many of you keep asking: yes, thousands of unvaccinated Canadians have entered the USA by land for over a year.

That’s because most customs agents don’t even ask about your vaccination status. And if they do ask, they often only ask if you are vaccinated without asking for proof. They certainly don’t ask often, based on my own experience and the many many testimonials we’ve received.

To be clear, if they ask for your vaccination status and you tell them you are not vaccinated, they will always deny your entry. When the land border was closed, I tried entering for an essential trip and I was denied entry (my business trip wasn’t essential enough). The agent explained that this had no consequences and did not affect my NEXUS membership or anything at all, and I had no issues entering after it reopened (of course that’s a different context for a denied entry obviously).

If you happened to go to the USA by land and they didn’t ask anything (or if they did ask and you lied and they didn’t ask for proof), you would not need a test, as nobody needs a test by land.

You could then fly anywhere in the country vaccine-free and test-free of course, as the USA has never had any requirement for domestic travel (like almost every country in the world).

You would not need anything to enter Canada upon your return (you could even fly back to Canada directly obviously), because all of Canada’s rules have been lifted for all travelers.

Entering the USA by sea while unvaccinated

The rules by water are exactly the same as by land if you arrive from Canada or Mexico.

However, you can enter by ferry from the Dominican Republic or the Bahamas with no requirements. That’s allowed. Because “The Science™”!

Entering the USA by air while unvaccinated

As mentioned, those who want to go somewhere in the USA by plane usually prefer entering by land and hope the customs agent doesn’t ask about their vaccination (or lie and hope they don’t ask for proof) and then fly anywhere in the country from a USA airport near the border.

Because as you probably know, while Canada lifted the mandatory vaccination requirement to fly from a Canadian airport (a requirement no other country in the world ever had), the USA requires vaccination for entry by air.

And the airlines usually do check, unlike most land border agents. Although they are asking less and less.

On my trip during the Christmas holidays, my girlfriend was never asked for her proof of vaccination (and it was her 1st entry into the USA by air since the vaccination requirement was implemented; so it’s not like they had it saved from a previous trip or something). I wasn’t asked either in January 2023, same for Flytrippers’ other cofounder, and many other recent testimonials we received.

But that’s probably still more of an exception than anything else, maybe airlines just do random checks now. It’s riskier to book a plane ticket and hope they don’t ask (compared to trying at the land border, as domestic flights in the USA usually no longer have change fees).

If you tried it and managed to enter the USA by air, you wouldn’t need anything to return to Canada because all of Canada’s rules have been lifted for all travelers.

Children: Rules to travel to the USA

It’s simple, there is an exemption to enter the USA without being vaccinated for all minors (under 18).

Here is how vaccinated OR unvaccinated Canadian minors can currently travel to the USA based on those 2 sets of rules you always have to look at.

• All minors (under 18) are exempt from the vaccination requirement
• Nobody needs a test so kids don’t either

Want to get all the coronavirus updates about travel rules in the USA?

Sign up for our free newsletter.

It’s really quite simple to understand the rules that determine how Canadians can travel to the United States. You just need to know how to read — and take the time to do it.

What do you want to know about traveling to the United States? Tell us in the comments below.

See the deals we spot: Cheap flights

Explore awesome destinations : Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks : Travel tips

Discover free travel: Travel rewards

Featured image: Sedona, Arizona (photo credit: Edmundo Mendez, Jr.)

Share this post to help us help more people travel more for less:

Andrew D'Amours

You might also like.

My entry into the United States by land on Saturday: what has changed in their rules

CONFIRMED: The vaccination requirement to board planes in Canada is ending

How to travel during the pandemic (simplified version)

This post has 171 comments.

Hi, so am I understanding this right ? Is it ACTUALLY official that the US entry vaccine mandate is ending on May 11th ?

Yes 🙂 https://flytrippers.com/usa-vaccination-requirement-travel/

Hi Andrew, thanks for your posts – very helpful and informative. For flying out of Toronto via Air Canada, is one required to upload any documents during the web check-in or at the self check-in kiosk at the airport? Or attest to the vax status?

Hi, the last time I flew Air Canada to the USA was on December 31st and they never asked for proof at all (so not in the online check-in either), even though it was my girlfriend’s first time flying into the USA during the pandemic (so they couldn’t have had her info “saved” or anything like that). Of course we always only travel with carry-ons so maybe avoiding the Air Canada counters entirely is the key to not being asked anything, who knows. They will ask you to attest that you are vaccinated though, that is for sure (in the online check-in at least).

When do you think the US will make an announcement about ending the requirement on May 11?

Probably in early May.

so the finally step is for biden to approve it since the senate has passed the bill right?

No, the Senate has not passed anything related to the vaccination requirement unfortunately (the House did, and they read it in the Senate on February 13th with absolutely no other actions since). What the Senate passed has nothing to do with the vaccination requirement. See here: https://flytrippers.com/usa-state-of-emergency-pandemic/

so what do you think the chances are that it gets passed through the senate and biden by may 11?

Slim to none, unfortunately.

so you don’t think it will be lifted may 11?

Do you only need one vaccine now to travel to the USA? just trying to get things clarified

Yes still more likely to be lifted on May 11th than not, but not thanks to the Senate. You can now enter with just 1 dose depending on what vaccine, here’s the section of this post with the details: https://flytrippers.com/how-canadians-travel-united-states/#Definition_of_vaccinated_for_travel_to_the_USA

Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty is this the new one? it’s hard to find things online about this

No, not Comirnaty (that’s the old one that requires 2 doses). It’s Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (Bivalent) and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Bivalent).

Just for the record, I was asked if I am vaccinated at the land crossing Windsor to Detroit. He then asked for proof whereby my drivers license and Ontario health card were scanned. After waiting with the nice people in the car search area for a little while I was given a piece of paper to give to Canada customs and sent back home. Thanks for the testimonial, and hopefully this will all end soon 🙂

Yes, unfortunately, some agents ask for proof even if you say you’re vaccinated. It’s not 100% guaranteed to work at the land border.

If customs asks for proof of vaccination, will they scan the QR code at the land border? Canada to USA

No QR code is required, so no. All that is required is a proof of vaccination, can be paper only as long as it’s in English and has the required info. Here’s what they require (either of the 3 options works): -Vaccination certificate with QR code1, digital pass via Smartphone application with QR code1 (e.g., United Kingdom National Health Service COVID Pass, European Union Digital COVID Certificate) -Printout of COVID-19 vaccination record or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued at national or subnational level or by an authorized vaccine provider (e.g., the CDC vaccination card) -Digital photos of vaccination card or record, downloaded vaccine record or vaccination certificate from official source (e.g., public health agency, government agency, or other authorized vaccine provider), or a mobile phone application without QR code

There is another, legal method to enter the US for unvaccinated adults. It is expensive on time and money, but I have done it myself and know others who have as well.

1. Fly to the Bahams without any layovers in the USA (example: Toronto -> Nassau) 2. Fly from Nassau to Grand Bahamas 3. Take the Baleària Caribbean from Grand Bahamas to Florida

The reason this is legal is because there are currently 3 laws preventing unvaccinated non-citizens from entering the US.

1. No flights for unvaccinated into the US 2. No crossing by land or sea from Canada 3. No crossing by land or sea from Mexico

And of course, it is also very understandable once you know the Science™ behind it.

1. The 1st element of nature is Wind/Air – you must travel by air 2. The 2nd element is Water – take the Ferry from the Bahamas to Florida 3. The 3rd element is Earth – you must enter the US from land non-contiguous to the US (contiguous and contageous are basically synonyms) 4. The 4th element is Fire – CDC scientists could think of no better way to burn money than by taking 5 flights, a couple taxies, rent a few hotel rooms and a car, and paying for a boat ride to get somewhere you could have gotten by hoping in your car and driving 30 minutes. 5. It never harms to get a fairy involved. This is science after all, right?

Interesting, I never even noticed that it didn’t apply to all borders, despite looking at this closely for years now haha. Well, if this doesn’t convince those who suffer from Covidanxiety (and blindly believe the government) that The Science™ is absurd, I really don’t know what will. Must be vaccinated to enter from Canada and Mexico. But not from The Bahamas. Make it make sense…

Thanks for the share, will definitely write a post about this, so funny.

You’re welcome! Send me a link of the post please 🙂

Governor Ron DeSantis from Florida even mentioned this recently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYdfWaf7taI

Here are the official links:

1. Entry by land/ferry from Mexico: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/22/2022-08741/notification-of-temporary-travel-restrictions-applicable-to-land-ports-of-entry-and-ferries-service 2. Entry by land/ferry from Canada: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/22/2022-08743/notification-of-temporary-travel-restrictions-applicable-to-land-ports-of-entry-and-ferries-service 3. Entry by flight: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/07/2022-07450/amended-order-implementing-presidential-proclamation-on-advancing-the-safe-resumption-of-global

Here’s the post: https://flytrippers.com/how-to-enter-usa-without-vaccination/

I am only going to say the American surely know the science better then others, Hahahahaha!!

By the way, the very public issue with Novak Djokovic not being able to compete in competitions in the USA could’ve been avoided if he had known your trick. He certainly can afford flying to the Bahamas and then crossing by boat. I must say I’m really flabbergasted by all this haha.

Right. Governor Ron DeSantis offered to bring him over by boat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYdfWaf7taI

Oh well, I reached out to ferry companies to try and confirm. Will let you know 🙂

I am currently dealing with a nightmare situation that has an immigration wrinkle in the equation… My wife (she is a Brazilian citizen, i am American. She is awaiting approval of a green card and has been granted advanced parole which allows non-US citizens in her situation to leave and re-enter the United States) and I have a vacation planned to Costa Rica in May. The presidential proclamation requiring proof of vaccination for foreigners and the CDC website very clearly states that those granted parole (as well as other buckets such as those seeking asylum) are exempt from vaccination requirements. United Airlines is saying that she is required to have proof of vaccination, and it seems to be an issue with the travel app which requires those with a Brazilian passport to enter their proof of vaccination to allow them the ability to check in for international flights going to the United States. After arguing with a United supervisor on the phone for hours today they said they would need to check with their supervisor and they would call me back tomorrow. I have never been this frustrated and it’s insane that their app requirements contradict the CDC requirements. The app even has a section which states that certain people are exempt from the requirement, but it gives no options to select one of those exemptions as applicable to you. We will see what they say tomorrow….

Yes, the country’s rules are one thing, but the airline’s interpretation of the country’s rules are actually what matters, because they are the ones that decide whether you board or not. When traveling in 2020 and 2021 particularly, I can’t even count how many times airline employees were wrong, because they often are on everything. So you have to have proof from an official source and make sure to ask for supervisors… and be prepared and ready to accept that it might not, sadly.

We are looking to book a flight from Toronto to Phuket but there is a layover in Philadelphia. Is the original vaccine certificate acceptable or do we need a qr code?

HI We successfully crossed the border in to the USA without being asked about vaccination status. WE are not vaccinated and when we tried a second time we were denied. Will our passport now be flagged so we should not try again ?

Hi, there’s no definitive answer to that. Many testimonials we got were from people who were denied in the past and just tried again and got in, so that would mean they don’t necessarily flag a previous attempt, but it’s not official data at all, unfortunately. But we never got any testimonials about anyone having been flagged from a previous attempt, for what that’s worth.

Back when the land border was open for essential and business travel only, I tried entering by land since I wanted to try out whether a trip for a travel website could be considered business. I got denied entry, and the customs agent specifically said that being denied entry had absolutely no impact on future visits. That said, I didn’t lie to them, which some travelers do to try to get in without being vaccinated. That situation might be different, but it doesn’t seem like it has any impact based on those testimonials.

Hi Andrew I want to take my 13 year old grandson from Canada to Phoenix for spring break. All I see is it is ok for him to go unvaccinated is this correct? Is there anything we need to do before we go. The USA rules are all over the place. Thank you Jolee Taylor

Well, to be fair, their rules are stupid, but they’re not all over the place. Officially they’re simple: you need to be vaccinated if you are 18+, if not you do not need to be vaccinated. At least it’s simple to make up for the fact it makes no sense to still have rules 😛

looks like the vaccine mandate for air travel has been extended to april 10 2023 (TSA emergency directive 1546-21-02B) as of a couple days ago. that being said, the directive explicitly says it only applies to air travel. any chance it could be lifted for land/sea borders? as illogical as that would be. I am vaccinated but my unvaccinated partner and I have been waiting to elope in the US!

Just wrote about it. Seems unlikely indeed: https://flytrippers.com/usa-vaccination-requirement-travel/

new bill to end, unvaxed border issues. https://massie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395511

It’s April 12, 2023. Is there any vaccine mandate changes for people entering USA?

No change, it was extended back in early April. Here are all the details: https://flytrippers.com/usa-vaccination-requirement-travel/

Hey Andrew,

Thank you for your time and effort on this. I’ve been denied access to the U.S via land through canada on multiple occasions only to be ridiculed by certain customs agents as some sort of criminal. I’m looking to fly private from a smaller airport in toronto area to Buffalo; have you found out if the requirement is exempt from private charters crossing the border ? I can’t seem to find any credible reliable source online on this circumstance, it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, I’ve never heard of any exemptions unfortunately. There could be, I just have never seen any info about that.

Hello. My boyfriend is unvaccinated but not a Canadian or an American citizen. Do you think that would make a difference should we try to drive to the US from Canada? For example, when they ask for passports? He has a European passport and we’ve been searching for ways to get him to enter the US for 2 years now and having him fly to Canada and cross the border by land is the most hope we’ve had. Is the border control more easy going in a certain station, Detroit opposed to New York? Anything helps. Thank you.

Hi, the US rules are the same for all foreigners regardless of nationality, so I don’t see that issue really changing anything. That said, it’s likely that all of the many testimonials we got from people crossing the US border by land are Canadians. I haven’t had enough data to really know that one particular border crossing is better than another though :S

Maybe try crossing with a Vax exemption. You can obtain one by being a participant in the following control group from the UK. And for $30 they will actually print and mail you a plastic card with your name and picture, verifying your participation in the study. http://www.vaxcontrolgroup.com

Im vaccinated but my husband isnt. We were able to cross into the US Queenston/Lewiston NY land boarder last week and the customs officer didnt ask if we were vaccinated and just asked how long we were gong into the US for. We told him just for the day as it was just a day trip we were doing. That was that and we got through. But now we are thinking of going to Florida for a week. Crossing the land boarder again and flying from Buffalo airport but my husband is worried because he said it might not be so easy next time and that the officer might ask us if we are vaxxed and if he tells them he’s not then we wont be able to cross and our flight, hotel and trip will be ruined. Im guessing this can happen? Since technically un vaccinated Canadians arent allowed in the US? I feel like I would take the risk and try because we just got through with no issues and would they actually ruin someones vacation? Has anyone you know thats unvaccinated actually been turned away at a land boarder? If they ask if your vaccinated do they also ask to see vaccination papers? Or do they just take your word for it? Great website by the way! Lots of very helpful information!

Yes it can happen, you never know. It seems to be rare, but some people definitely are asked. Those who say they aren’t vaccinated are obviously denied entry, and those who lie and say they are usually aren’t asked for proof, but some are. That said, most US airlines charge a lot less for the fare class that comes with free changes, and almost every single hotel offers free cancelation up until 1 or 2 days before, so you could simply book a hotel starting 1 or 2 days after the planned border crossing so that you can cancel and it would be risk-free 🙂

Hey Andrew! I’m going to attempt to fly into the USA, we are both unvaccinated. Our flights are Toronto-Edmonton then Edmonton-Phoenix. We are thinking of trying it or just cancelling and try by land. Which one would you do? I’ve heard of people go through both ways with no issue.

I would have to say that personally I would not try either to not get caught not following the rules, because of our “public” role as a reference for travelers. However, objectively, in terms of data, based on the many testimonials, it seems more likely to work by land than by air. That said, recently there seems to also have been a change in enforcement by air, I’ll have a post about that soon. But it’s riskier to try by air, if they ask for proof then you have to cancel your flight and with most airlines, that means paying a cancelation fee. I’ll cover that in the same new post soon too.

Hi, we are travelling as a group across a land border with one unvaccinated traveller- my husband. When and if he gets across without issue, he can board our domestic flight (BUF- MCO) without issue? Southwest web info seemed unclear, but maybe just me. It refers to travelling by plane TO USA as a non USA citizen, (stating proof of vax to board a plane inbound to the states) not necessarily specific to domestic flights for unvaxxed Canadians once within the states. Basically, if he gets over the border in the car, he’s good to go for the flight? Sorry if this is redundant. It’s a lot if money to chance.

Hi, here’s the section about domestic flights . In short, no country has ever had rules for domestic flights, only extremist Canada had that. That said, there’s still an element of risk to booking a flight: the land border agent might ask for proof, even though it’s unlikely. That said, many US airlines offer free changes on tickets, unlike in Canada (well, at a lower price than Canadian airlines ask for flexible fare classes I mean).

Thanks for clarifying. I’m going to wait and see if Biden changes things over the holiday season ( eyeroll) Southwest issues a credit good for a year, and Disney only refunds before 30 days out. It’s a small fortune to risk losing right now. I’m going to opt him out if our plans. We DID get across with him for 4th if July family visit. No one asked us anything both ways. So arbitrary.

It’s a lot of money for sure. Hopefully the US follows the science soon enough :S

Hello, Im curious was your husband allowed in the states unvaccinated? Im curious and just wonder 🙂

My husband and I are Canadian and unvaccinated. If we drive into the usa (because apparently the customs officers routinely do not ask for vaccine proof) then fly from Bellingham to Phoenix will we be asked for proof of vaccine because we are Canadian travellers?

Hi, this section of the post answers that question, but in short, no other country apart from Canada has ever had requirements for domestic flights, ever. It’s not a thing, and the US doesn’t have special rules for foreigners on domestic flights 🙂 Although in case you are denied entry by land (which is obviously a possibility), maybe make sure your flight and lodging bookings have some form of flexibility to be safe.

Hello – my 14 year old is travelling to the USA from Canada and he is unvaccinated. He will be in the states for 5 days. Does he have to isolate or take a covid test before returning to Canada?

Hi, Canada has removed all rules and requirements for all travelers 🙂 So nothing required at all to enter here.

But that is not the question. You didn’t answer correctly

The question is whether there are rules to enter Canada. I answered that Canada has removed all of its entry rules. How can I answer more clearly? Canada no longer requires anything from anyone. So nobody needs to do anything to enter Canada 🙂

So to be clear my unvaccinated 13 year old can travel by plane to Florida from Toronto and return back to Canada. does she require a negative test to return home or can we just download the arrivecan app and do a test on day 1 and 8 ? My husband who is unvaccinated can travel by land to the buffalo airport and fly out of buffalo to Florida ? All so confusing

No test to enter USA, tests to enter Canada, and 14-day quarantine in Canada.

For unvaccinated adults, technically entering the USA is *not* allowed, it’s just not often checked by land. The section explains it: https://flytrippers.com/how-canadians-travel-united-states/#Unvaccinated_adult_travelers_Rules_to_travel_to_the_USA

But if he does manage to enter, like every country in the world there are no requirements for domestic flights. It used to be confusing because of Canada’s rule, now it isn’t: the ONLY thing to look at is the entry rules. No other rules exist.

Can I fly from Canada to USA on a private airplane if I get a negative covid test, if I’m unvaccinated?

I’m not sure if rules are different by private plane, because in theory you can’t enter the US without being vaccinated, but this is only enforced by the airline usually, not the customs agents. But maybe it’s different and they do enforce it with private planes knowing there is no airline to check beforehand. I’ll try to find out.

Hello! We’re going from Toronto to Orlando in August. All adults in our group are vaccinated but my 3 year old is not. We’re flying air Canada, and everything I’ve seen so far says that kids are exempt but only if you sign an attestation that they will get a COVID test 3-5 days after landing and self isolate for 5 days regardless of results. Is this true?? Link below for source.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html#noncitizen

First of all, August is so far away it’s probably pointless. Everything will probably be removed. But even then, with the current rules nobody really cares if minors get a test, nobody will ask or check, so most people simply ignore it completely.

We just came back from Dominican Republic. My 16 y.o. unvaccinated son had to do antigen test 24 hours before returning to Canada, day 1 and day 8 testing in Canada and quarantine 14 days on top of it. Your husband can actually fly with you there and back and do the rest like your son testing and quarantine

Yes well, the Dominican Republic is a different country so obviously, their rules are different than the US rules. Also, just for clarity, Canada’s pre-entry test requirement for unvaccinated Canadians has no “24 hours” limit: it’s the day of the flight or the day before (no hour-based time limit). And a molecular test within 72 hours of departure is still accepted too as an alternative. Here is the post about how to travel during the pandemic: https://flytrippers.com/how-to-travel-during-a-pandemic-simplified-version/

Am I able to fly from a US city back to into Vancouver if i am unvaccinated?

Yes no problem; the only rules that exist are entry rules and Canada’s entry rules allow (and have always allowed) all Canadians to enter regardless of vaccination status. You will need a valid pre-entry test though: https://flytrippers.com/canada-entry-guide/

Hi, so am i able to fly from Vancouver into the USA unvaccinated since the changes have been made about the mandates recently? or is it that I can only cross by land? And would i need any tests?

Hi, this article is up to date (and we’ll keep it that way). The US vaccination requirement has not changed. Here’s the direct link to the unvaccinated adult section that explains everything: https://flytrippers.com/how-canadians-travel-united-states/#Unvaccinated_adult_travelers_Rules_to_travel_to_the_USA

So just confirming after reading your response, once i am in the USA I am able to fly domestic within the USA unvaccinated. Is that right?

Yes, almost no country on Earth has ever had vaccine requirements for domestic flights (apart from Canada until recently and maybe a few rare countries) and the USA certainly have never had anything like that. Americans just wouldn’t tolerate such restrictions on the freedom of movement, let’s call it cultural differences ;P

Hi there, I’m a non vaccinated Canadian who wants to go across the border. According to what you’ve written I can:

– go across the border – need a rapid test or pre-entry test before coming back into Canada – fill out the arrive can app

BUT I have to quarantine even though my pre-entry test is negative? I don’t understand the logic of the quarantine if you’re negative ?

As I wrote, you “can” go across the border, but only if you lie to the border agents and/or if they don’t ask for proof of vaccination. They do require it officially even if they don’t seem to ask for proof very often at the land border. Then yes you need a pre-entry test to enter Canada and the ArriveCAN app. And you’ll not only have to quarantine for 14 days regardless of that test’s result, you’ll also have to do 2 more tests (day 1 and day 8) and you’ll still have to quarantine if those are negative too.

It’s The Science™, it cannot be questioned. There is no logic, it’s about punishing the unvaccinated and scoring political points with the scared demographic that wants unvaccinated travelers to be punished 😛

Since we are having issues getting the passports. I want to travel via land over the border from Montreal into the USA. Adults have passports its the kids that are the issue. Can we fly domestic from Burlington VT to Orlando with no passports for the kids? They are Canadian…I will have their birth certificates.

Thank you for all your advice in your article. Quick question . . .

Can an unvaxed Canadian go to Mexico as the end destination with a layover in the USA?

No, you cannot transit in the US if you are not vaccinated as the US does not offer sterile international transits. In short, connecting in the US means entering the US , so you need to follow their entry rules. Here’s the section about US transits for more details.

Clear explanation about how Canadians people can travel to the United States in this article. Thanks for the information

Hi, could you please explain the last part when you say: if negative, take the test on the full calendar day before (NOT just 24 hours). In my case, if I’m leaving on the 10th, when should I take the test?

At any time on the 9th. Direct link to detailed section: https://flytrippers.com/how-canadians-travel-united-states/#How_the_pre-entry_test_required_by_the_USA_works

Hello, When the airlines/customs ask for proof of vaccination, what do they do with it? Do they go through a process?

I can’t say for the land border since they didn’t ask me both times I went, but my plane I’ve entered many many times and they just look at the document to see if it says you are vaccinated or not. Not sure what you mean, does that answer your question?

Aside from the Canadian Government requirements the airlines mat have their own rules. I am a critical service worker and have an exempt certificate from Arrive-Can. However my last flight out of the USA was Delta and they require a negative test before boarding their aircraft. The Arrive-Can paperwork is strictly for the Canadian Government and it doesn’t apply to them.

No Delta does not have test requirements. They only apply the countries’ rules, like every other airline in the world except Etihad. However, like all other airlines, they do have employees who don’t know the rules and exemptions so that’s why it’s important that you know them well and make sure to tell them they ar wrong.

My unvaxed teenagers are booked with Delta to fly from Calgary to Guatemala City in August. They have one layover in LA. I was reassured by a Delta rep that Delta will only require what the destination is requiring, which in this case is a negative Covid test. The rep said it will not matter that they have a layover in the US. Is this correct info from what you know?

Yes as mentioned in this post, there are absolutely no requirements to enter the USA for those under the age of 18. So they will only check the requirements for the destination indeed 🙂

So Delta let my unvaxed 15 and 19 year olds fly from Calgary to Guatemala City via LAX. But we could not convince the Delta Rep in Guatemala City to let them return home the same way. They were adamant that they could not connect through the states, even though Delta had let them fly down through the states unvaxed. Very frustrating! Cost us over $4000 extra dollars to buy new tickets through AeroMexico, flying to Mexico city and then straight to YVR. Do you think it’s any use taking this up with Delta since they’d reassured me like four times on the phone before their trip that they’d be fine and also let them use one way of their return ticket, but not the other way? So frustrating and very expensive!

The vaccination requirement applies to those over 18, so the 19-year-old shouldn’t have been allowed on the outbound flight (and the 15-year-old should have been allowed on the inbound flight). I would definitely try to get them to reimburse you for your out-of-pocket expenses since it’s their mistake for sure.

hi when flying from Canada to USA does the original vaccine passport work or do I need the qr code ?

Hi, this section addresses that: https://flytrippers.com/how-canadians-travel-united-states/#Proof_of_vaccination_for_travel_to_the_USA Better get the right one just to avoid any problems.

Hi! Thank you so much for writing these information. It really helps us planning our trip. I just have one question though, me and fiancé are both fully vaccinated and planning to fly from Bellingham to Los Angeles, however, we are crossing to the border from Vancouver. I understand that domestic flights and crossing border by land does not require covid test but we are wondering if we still need to get tested since we are crossing by land then flying to LA. I appreciate your reply. Thank you so much!

Hi! No, as you said, entering by land does not require a test and domestic flights do not require a test. End of story 🙂

Hey Andrew, Thank you for your time and work on this. I have a question about the proof of vaccination, will our vaccination card with QR code on our mobile phones work or do we need to print out something to show when traveling from Toronto – Los Angeles? As for the Rapid antigen test what is the best piece of documentation to provide when arriving into the States. Thank you

The US isn’t very strict, but still, you should get the “Canadian” vaccine passport to be safe as they might not recognize a provincial name ( https://flytrippers.com/vaccine-passport-travel-canada/ ). No need to print anything. Test can be the digital report as well 🙂 To be clear you won’t need it when arriving into the USA, it will only be checked by the airline (if it is checked t all).

As a Canadian citizen do I need to test for domestic flights within the US?

Nobody needs anything to board a domestic flight in the US, there is no test or vaccine requirement just like almost every country in the world (except Canada). So if you are one of the Canadians who are very scared of unvaccinated travelers, just a good thing to know about 😛

Good morning, my family and I are looking to travel to the US in mid-April of this year. The adults are all fully vaccinated, the two children are not. The children at the time of travel would be 5 and 3. The plan would be to travel from Buffalo (we live in Niagara and its closer and cheaper), to Florida. Would this be possible and easily done? In theory, we would cross in Fort Erie by land, head to the Buffalo airport and fly to Florida that way. Then fly back to Buffalo and re-cross in Fort Erie by land.

Yes, it’s possible and it’s by far the easiest option. The only test required would be for the 5 year-old to enter Canada, unless Canada announces a new exemption for kids.

So, if my wife and I we are double vaccinated and my 4 years old unvaccinated , and we are planning to travel to Seattle from Vancouver for less than 72 hours by land. We don’t need any Covid tests. Right?

Hi, only if you enter Canada on April 1st or later.

Bonjour Andrew,

Moi et ma famille voudrions passer la frontière américaine sans être vaccinés. Est-ce que les douaniers américains au Québec sont regardant sur la vaccination ? Peut-on juste attester verbalement en espérant qu’ils nous laissent passer ? Et dans le cas où ils voudraient vérifier le pass vaccinal de quelle façon ils le vérifient, en scannant le code QR ou juste en jetant un coup d’œil sur la fiche ?

Merci pour ta réponse.

Bonjour, je viens de faire un paragraphe là-dessus: https://flytrippers.com/fr/comment-canadiens-voyager-etats-unis/#Voyageurs_non-vaccines_regles_pour_voyager_aux_Etats-Unis Et aucun code QR n’est exigé par les États-Unis, juste la preuve papier ou numérique en anglais.

Hi, I have a question I just made a rapid test appointment the day before my flight. I fly out March 16th, and scheduled a rapid test with Walmart on the 15th. I can take the test anytime, as long as the time frame is in the date of the 15th? Can I test a week before I fly out? Or do I have to do it on the 15th. Thanks!

Hi, the day of the flight or the day before 🙂

Je pars pour Miami dans 2 semaines avec les enfants. Quelle genre de preuve doit-on présenter si on fait un test rapide à la maison? Mais quand je lis sur le site de CDC, il y a beaucoup d’exigences, et je ne veux pas prendre la risque de me faire virer de bord avec les enfants… :

You can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following 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) OR the relevant national authority where the test is administered. The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription. The telehealth provider must confirm your identity, observe the sample collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of CDC’s Order (see “What information must be included in the test result?” below). Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to review and confirm your identity and the test result details. You must also be able to present the documentation of test results to U.S. officials at the port of entry and local/state health departments, if requested.

Bonjour, un test fait à la maison sans surveillance par télésanté n’est pas accepté par aucun pays du monde (une des très rares règles universelles haha). Si tu n’as pas de rapport, c’est donc inutile. Ça prend un rapport de labo. Donc pour entrer aux États-Unis par avion, ça te prend soit: — un test négatif OU — un test positif ET une lettre d’un médecin Voici les détails: https://flytrippers.com/fr/comment-canadiens-voyager-etats-unis/#Exemption_pour_les_infections_recentes

Thanks for the info Andrew. One question I have I’m having trouble finding the answer to is what Canada considers 10 days post positive test to enter. The government website says, “ You must provide proof of a COVID-19 negative molecular test result to enter Canada OR proof of a previous positive test result taken between 10 and 180 days ago.” then goes on the say, “ Canadians: To avoid being fined $5,000 per traveller (plus surcharges), wait to enter Canada until the 10th day after your positive test result.” I tested positive Jan 29 @10 am. Can I fot home on February 8th? Or do I have to wait until the 9th?

The response we got from Health Canada media relations is that the precise timing of the day is not relevant in this calculation. It’s 10 full days. So in your case you’d be allowed to board only on the 9th.

Hi, I have a coworker with a small general aviation airplane (Cessna 172). Could my coworker fly my unvaccinated friend from Pit Meadows airport (small airport near Vancouver) to Bellingham or Seattle? My friend then wants to fly solo (by commercial airline) to Mexico and then return direct to Vancouver from Mexico (also commercial airline). Do you think this would be possible? Thanks for any help

No because the US requires foreigners to be fully vaccinated to enter. If you can get a private plane to take you to Mexico, which has no entry requirements at all, then this would most definitely work yes.

Can you fly to Mexico on a private owned plane but stop in the USA top up fuel and continue on to Mexico?

That is a great question, I don’t seem to be able to find anything online about this unfortunately.

Thanks for the quick reply! Any difference if an unvaccinated person took a private boat from Vancouver to Bellingham, WA?

No unfortunately, the US requires foreigners to be fully vaccinated to enter. Whether it is in a car, on a plane, on a boat, on a UFO or any other mode, the US requires vaccination all the time :S

Does a Canadian vaccine passport work for proof of vaccination in Hawaii right now at their restaurants? I’ve seen that fully vaxxed Canadians flying direct no longer need to enrol in Safe Travels, but is there another requirement once you’re on the island for dining etc?

Hi, I have not seen comments about that. But surely like most destinations, they have some way of recognizing foreign vaccination proof to allow entry to restaurants and other places since they encourage foreign visitors. You can check their tourism website or official government COVID-19 website for info. We have our hands pretty full with just the travel restrictions themselves so we’ll stick to that only, unfortunately 😛

If I am a fully vaccinated Canadian who travelled to the USA via land border in Maine and my ‘72 hour before crossing’ test comes back positive am I still allowed to cross into Canada and continue home to isolate? And how long is isolation in Canada for people who have travelled outside the country?

Hi, you are “allowed” in the sense that they will let you in, but it’s against the official rule. In theory, the government says you are subject to a fine of $5,000 but in practice those seem to be rare if you have a quarantine plan. Here are all the details: https://flytrippers.com/entering-canada-by-land-with-a-positive-test/

Hi Andrew, I am a Canadian driving across the Detroit boarder and flying out of Metro Airport to Mexico. Do I require a covid test to board the plane? So confused lol Thank you in advance

No test required to enter the US by land and no test required to fly domestically (like almost every country in the world too) and no test required to enter Mexico, so you’re good 🙂

If i fly from France to canada, as a fully vaccinated Canadian, how long do i have to wait in canada before i can fly to the usa?

Hi, there isn’t really a waiting period anymore, it’s just that you will be tested on arrival and required to isolate until you get the results. You should be able to leave isolation to go to the airport if you’re flying out of the country, but I’ll double-check with Health Canada since, yet again, the government website is pretty useless on this subject.

Can an unvaccinated Canadian of any age drive into the US for “non-essential” travel? From this post, it looks like that may be the case, but perhaps it was only referring to not having to test and perhaps that still means you have to provide proof of vaccination. Thanks for your help!

Hi Andrew, While there has been some changes on the US side of things recently, many Canadians have travelled unvaccinated to the US since November. People post their travel experiences with proof on travel groups and I personally know people who have crossed by land multiple times. So it’s not that simple. Since the 22nd, they started ‘cracking down’, hence the convoys.

Yeah before January 22nd, essential travelers were exempt so it makes sense that they would not verify systematically. Might definitely have changed since, all the many reports I’ve seen of unvaccinated Canadians entering the USA by land were pre-January 22nd for sure.

As soon as things change on land travel for unvaccinated traveller’s can you please let me know. I am, but my husband and son are not and we would like to drive to see my husbands family in the US since it has been way too long and they are getting old. I totally agree with your comment that at this point it should totally be a personal risk assessment everyone just has to take for themselves…since we know that fully vaccinated people can spread it and catch it just like the unvaccinated can… thanks for your help

Hi, yes we’ll definitely post about it as soon as it changes. You can follow us on Facebook or sign up for our free newsletter to make sure you don’t miss anything: https://flytrippers.com/never-miss-a-cheap-flight-deal-from-canada/

Hello Andrew, I love this website and article! I have a question, has an announcement been made regarding exemption guidelines for an unvaccinated Canadian citizen married to an American born citizen to enter the USA by land or air? Where can I find information? Thanks for your time.

They aren’t great at providing specifics, your best bet will be to contact them directly unfortunately. This DHS website lists a few “essential travel” examples, but I would assume being married to an American citizen should give some right to enter. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/frequently-asked-questions-guidance-travelers-enter-us

Hi Andrew: You’ve pulled together a terrific website… and thanks to you, I’m now thinking it just might be smarter to cancel next month’s fight to Florida out of Toronto and navigate that border by flying out of Buffalo instead. And as you pointed out, U.S. fares look good. One question: On our return, even though we’re triple-vaxxed, if it turned out we had an asymptomatic but positive result on that 72-hour molecular test, what would happen when we tried to drive back across the border from Buffalo?

Unfortunately, you would have to wait until you get a negative test OR 10 full days and then enter, or else you could be fined up to $5,000. Here is the detailed article I just posted about this today: https://flytrippers.com/testing-positive-while-traveling/

Bonjour! Pour un retour au Canada à partir du Mexique (escale aux USA)… est-ce que les USA acceptent également le PCR ou je dois faire les deux tests? (puisque les USA acceptent le test AG rapide et le Canada accepte le PCR) Merci beaucoup!

Oui les États-Unis acceptent les PCR 🙂

Wow!! So glad I discovered your site. Extremely helpful. Hearing that starting on Dec. 6th, Canadians will have to show proof of negative antigen test when entering the US (by air AND by land). Just curious about how one provides proof of this negative antigen test……isn’t this a test that you can administer yourself?? Thank you in advance.

Hi, no there are no changes to the land border rules at all. Still no test required to enter. There are self-test kits but most people use clinics to get the test done. Here is an introduction to COVID-19 tests for travel: https://flytrippers.com/covid-19-tests-travel/

Can unvaccinated Canadians travel to the United States after November 8? Trip is planned for Nov 20 – 28, so would be going and coming before the “transition period” for unvaccinated is over.

Hi no, you cannot. The transition period is related to Canada’s rule to board a plane departing from Canada. It is completely separate. The US has their own entry rules and they no longer let unvaccinated foreigners in.

Hi Andrew, Can I get an official source for the requirement on Covid test to enter the US as a fully vaccinated Canadian? My research never specify a test required for people other than U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents.

https://ca.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-canada-3/

Hi there is only one official source for every country’s requirements, we give you the link for each country here: https://flytrippers.com/countries-canadians-can-travel-to/

Can an unvaccinated Canadian fly from Florida to Costa Rica return now??

Hi, yes Costa Rica has no vaccination requirement. You won’t be able to return to the US though, unless you are a US citizen.

What if you are a fully vaccinated Canadian… Drive across the border to Detroit, get on a plane from Detroit to Utah?

What’s the requirements for testing for that?

HI, I’m not sure I understand the timing for which tests can be used to fly into the USA. If I fly to the US on Nov 5, I can get a rapid antigen on Nov 3rd and be fine? Thanks.

Hi, you can even have it done on the 2nd at any time of the day, the US is different and doesn’t care about the precise time.

Andrew, by far you are in my top 3 sites for direct clear information which is well organized. Bravo. You have mentioned the possibility of flying private or travelling by boat. Does boat mean a small yacht which can be hired to cross the ST. Lawrence? Don’t private flights to small US airports still require passengers to go through border patrol who would check if you are vaccinated?

Hi, glad we can help! You can travel by boat but not to the US since they will require vaccination starting tomorrow. But you could go to Mexico the long way haha 😛

Thanks for the info! To confirm, a flight flying from Hawaii to Arizona does not require any negative tests for a Canadian traveller. Just proof of vaccination?

No proof of vaccination either, absolutely nothing is required for domestic flights. About 2 million Americans flew just yesterday, they wouldn’t tolerate any requirements whatsoever unlike us (cultural differences I guess) and so you do not need to be tested or vaccinated (and this is the case for domestic flights in almost every country in the world by the way).

Does anyone know if an “unvaccinated” Canadian married to an American can cross over? I’m planning to drive across the border by mid or end of November, however, I’m worry my husband won’t be allowed to go in. 🙁

So if they keep the same exemptions as now and if they apply them to the land border too, it should work but you’ll have to confirm once they announced the actual rules.

Great post thanks. If you are unvaccinated and trying to fly the US before Oct 30 but don’t have a return flight till after Nov 8, (snow bird) will there be border protection stop you because you’ll be in the US unvaccinated after they’re Nov 8 mandate?

Hi Todd,like in most countries the only federal rule is about entry. That’s all that matters. So as long as you’re in before November 8, no issues. Some cities may have vaccine requirements for some activities of course, but that’s a minority and not many in the sunny parts of the country!

for unvaccinated travelers, after November 30th will they not be able to leave or return Canada at all by land sea or air ?

Starting November 30, those who are unvaccinated cannot board a plane in a Canadian airport. Entry rules are completely separate, there are no changes to entry rules so any Canadian can always enter Canada.

But effectively, since the US is banning unvaccinated foreigners, no plane and no land means unless you leave before November 30, unvaccinated Canadians will be stuck here. Unless you fly private or use a boat. If the government goes ahead with it has announced.

Just like to Thankyou for your site. It’s a blessing to be able to be informed for travel into different places and be able to know the requirements to depart & enter.🇨🇦

Does anyone know if for re-entry into Canada is the 72 hours is calculated from date of test or date of results received?

Hi the test itself must be performed at most 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of your direct flight to Canada.

This is really informative. Thank you for writting this piece to guide people who are thinking of travelling to the US. I just need to confirm though, that Rapid test are accepted in both US and Canada? In BC NAAT travel test is for $200. Thanks in advance!

Hi, rapid antigen tests are NOT accepted to enter Canada (but to enter the USA yes). Canada only accepts PCRs and also rapid molecular tests, only available in the US though (NAATs).

Hello I love your site, very informative. I read it all, but I am overloaded with information. So hopefully I am not bothering you. Myself and my 2 adult children are travelling from Toronto to Florida the last week of October. We are fully Vaccinated. 1. What do we need to fly out? What test do we need? Where is the best place for a test in Ontario? What do exactly need to travel easily? 2. Flying home, A specific test, No cost Walgreens or CVS ? Thanks for your time and help, Warm Regards Deb S

Hi. If nothing changes until then: To enter the US, you need a rapid antigen test. Shoppers Drug Mart at $40 seems to be the best option in Ontario, if not it’s $60 at YYZ directly (details: https://flytrippers.com/canadians-travel-coronavirus-pandemic/#cantesting ) To enter Canada, you need a molecular test (PCR or NAAT). Walgreens is the best bet with the faster NAAT, but there are plenty of free options in almost every state, including Florida (details: https://flytrippers.com/getting-covid-19-test-usa-for-canadians/ )

Hi Andrew, When I’ve been looking to book a PCR test online at Walgreens, it asks for my state ID or state drivers license. I was able to plug my US AirBnB address in the previous step for my address, but am curious as to what you did for this step. Did you just select whatever state you’re in and enter your provincial drivers license information? Please let me know whenever you can. Thanks a lot!

I took the NAAT and not the PCR, so they didn’t require ID. But from other travelers’ experiences, the ID is again just to identify you correctly, they don’t mind if it’s not a US drivers license since tests are not restricted to residents, but you can double-check with the testing location specifically and let us know so we can share with other readers:)

Hi Andrew, my daughter is trying to get home to Canada from Morocco (she has been there 8 months) and unfortunately, her direct flight was cancelled. We are having a heck of a time trying to figure out if she can fly via Air France from Morocco to Boston (with a stop at CDG) and then take an AC flight from Boston to Montreal. She is not vaccinated because (anyways the vaccine in Morocco is not recognized in Canada). She will have taken her PCR test in Morocco and then take another PCR test in Boston. Will she have any trouble? Otherwise, the option was to fly RAM to JFK, get tested (PCR) and then shuttle over to LGA. Any insight you could provide would be helpful. HELP.

Hi, unfortunately, anyone who has been in most of Europe in the previous 14 days will not be allowed to enter the United States (unless they have US citizenship/residency). Even transits in Europe count so both Boston and New York are not options for Canadians in Europe.

Entering the US would work after a transit in Turkey or the Gulf countries would work though (the ban is on the Schengen area—which is most of the EU—and the UK and Ireland) or from Morocco to the US directly (but I don’t see any direct flights in the short term).

If not, she’ll have to go from Morocco to Europe then to Canada directly. In all cases, a PCR test needs to be done at the transit country (or there’s the NAAT option instead of a PCR if she transits in the US).

The fact she is not vaccinated might preclude her from entering/transiting in some countries, so double-check that (although some countries might accept other types of vaccines than Canada). The US has no vaccine requirement if she finds a flight from Morocco to there without going through Europe.

Hope this helps!

I understand the rules for travelling to Canada from the US by land. However it is not clear to me what are the requirements to enter the US by land for a Canadian with a green card. Can anyone enlighten me ?

Hi, there are no requirements to enter the US by land (no testing required). The US website says this: “U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals with valid travel documents will be exempted.” So as a permanent resident with a Green Card, it seems you are allowed to enter.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Get all the updates for free.

Sign up to be the first to know when rules change!

COVID Vaccine and Test Requirements for U.S. Entry

Covid-19 vaccination requirements for international travelers to the united states ended on may 12, 2023.

As of May 12, 2023, nonimmigrant travelers to the United States are no longer subject to the requirement that they be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccination before boarding an aircraft destined to the United States or before entering the United States through a land or ferry port of entry.

End of vaccination requirement for international air travelers to the United States

From November 8, 2021 through May 11, 2023, Presidential Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021 , Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-⁠19 Pandemic , required all "noncitizens who are nonimmigrants" entering the United States through an air POE to show proof that they were fully vaccinated with an acceptable COVID vaccine. " Presidential Proclamation 10575 of May 9, 2023 , Revoking the Air Travel COVID-⁠19 Vaccination Requirement , revoked Proclamation 10294's vaccination requirement effective 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 12, 2023. Proclamation 10575 was also published in the Federal Register at 88 FR 30889 (May 15, 2023) .

From the CDC website :

"On May 9, 2023, the President issued a Proclamation  providing that the vaccination requirements for noncitizen nonimmigrant air travelers contained in the Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic  will be terminated effective at 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 12, 2023. At that time, CDC’s Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will cease to be in effect. This means that as of 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 12, 2023, 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."

From the CBP Carrier Liaison Program :

"This rescission takes effect for flights departing to the United States from a foreign country on or after 12:01am EDT on May 12, 2023. 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."

End of vaccination requirements for land or ferry entry to the United States

From January 22, 2022 through May 11, 2023, all noncitizens who are nonimmigrants had to show proof that they were fully vaccinated with an acceptable COVID-19 vaccine under the same vaccine standards as air travelers. The U.S.-Canada-Mexico COVID restrictions ceased to have effect as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 12, 2023, under a pair of Federal Register Notice published on May 10, 2023. Read:

• The Canada notice published at 88 FR 30033 (May 10, 2023)
• The Mexico notice published at 88 FR 30035 (May 10, 2023)

Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement Ended June 12, 2022

Until June 12, 2022, a separate CDC order also required all air travelers (regardless of citizenship) to show results of a negative coronavirus test taken one day preceding their flight's departure from a foreign country traveling to the United States (see details below). The CDC pre-departure testing order, however, was rescinded effective June 12, 2022. Update from the CDC website :

"As of 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022 , CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. For more information, see Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country ."

Additional Background

Coverage of proclamation 10294 of october 25, 2021.

Presidential Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021 prohibited entry into the United States by air travel of "noncitizens who are nonimmigrants" unless they are fully vaccinated with an acceptable COVID19 vaccine.

Section 2 of the proclamation provided that the "entry into the United States by air travel of noncitizens who are nonimmigrants and who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is suspended and limited, except as provided in section 3 of this proclamation. This suspension and limitation on entry applies only to air travelers to the United States and does not affect visa issuance."

U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and those entering on an immigrant visa were exempt from the Proclamation 10294 vaccination requirement, since it covered only "noncitizens who are nonimmigrants" traveling to the United States by air.

The language stating that the "suspension and limitation on entry applies only to air travelers to the United States and does not affect visa issuance" meant that someone who was not fully vaccinated at the time of a visa application or interview could still be issued a visa by a U.S. consulate, although that individual would have to be fully vaccinated in order to board an aircraft destined for the United States or to be admitted to the United States.

Exemptions and Exceptions to the Proclamation 10294 Vaccine Requirement

Proclamation Section 3(b) contained a number of important exceptions for certain individuals who would have otherwise beeen subject to the full vaccine requirement. Nonimmigrants who did not meet the definition of fully vaccinated but who were traveling by air to the United States under one of the Section 3(b) exceptions were referred to as Excepted Covered Individuals in the CDC Amended Order Implementing Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic . In general see CDC Technical Instructions: Procedures for Confirming Documentation of Excepted Covered Individuals Who Do Not Present Proof of Being Fully Vaccinated .

In an liaison meeting with the Department of State, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)'s DOS Liaison Committee asked: "To what extent, if at all, are consular posts and/or the broader DOS engaged in assessing whether an individual is eligible for an exception to the new vaccine and testing requirements?" DOS responded: "Consular sections' role in the process is to ensure that an individual's request for an exception is filled out in full, and to transmit to CDC the completed requests." See Department of State/AILA Liaison Committee Meeting, January 20, 2022, AILA Doc. No. 22011002 .

The CDC order provided that individuals who enter the United States under one of the order's exceptions must attest that they will take certain post-arrival actions, that, depending on the exception, could include:

• A post-arrival viral test taken within 3-5 days after arriving in the United States;
• Self quarantine, "even if the test result to the post-arrival viral test is negative, unless the Excepted Covered Individual has documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days";
• Self isolation for five calendar days if the result of the post-arrival viral test is positive or if they develop COVID-19 symptoms;
• Become "fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within 60 days after arriving in the United States, or as soon thereafter as is medically appropriate as determined by CDC, if such person intends to stay in the United States for more than 60 days, unless the individual is excepted from this requirement."

The exceptions to Proclamation 10294 for nonimmigrant travelers included:

• National interest
• Citizens of a foreign country where the availability of COVID-19 vaccination is limited
• Noncitizens who are children under 18 years of age, or noncitizens for whom a COVID-19 vaccination is contraindicated or inappropriate

Other exceptions

These exceptions are discussed below.

Exception: National interest

Under Proclamation 10294 Section 3(b), the proclamation was not applicable to:

(x) any noncitizen or group of noncitizens whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees.

According to CDC Amended Order Implementing Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic , "Any Excepted Covered Individual granted an exception in the national interest must present an official U.S. government letter and a completed Excepted Covered Individual Attestation to the airline or aircraft operator prior to embarking an aircraft destined to the United States. Such an individual must also attest to agreeing and arranging to be vaccinated within 60 days of arriving in the United States, or as soon thereafter as is medically appropriate, if they intend to stay in the United States for more than 60 days."

National interest exceptions (NIE) previously granted under the now revoked geographic proclamations were not valid under Proclamation 10294.

In a January 20, 2022 DOS/AILA Liaison Committee Meeting ( AILA Doc. No. 22011002 ), DOS stated that its role in all waivers, including national interest waivers, under Proclamation 10294 was simply to transmit the waiver request to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and then to transmit CDC's determination to the applicant. The AILA meeting summary presents these DOS responses to questions along those lines:

• "Consular sections’ role in the process is to ensure that an individual’s request foran exception is filled out in full, and to transmit to CDC the completed requests."
• "Consular sections transmit to the traveler the CDC’s approval or denial of an exception request."

In response to the question of what is the process, if any, for making such waiver requests through a consular post, DOS responded:

• "Travelers should contact the consular section of the nearest embassy or consulate using the information provided on that embassy’s or consulate’s website."

Limited NIE for Certain Nonimmigrants Who Were Physically Present in Ukraine as of February 10, 2022

Limited National Interest Exception (NIE). On February 15, 2022, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued a very limited National Interest Exception (NIE) to the Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021 vaccination requirement, for certain nonimmigrants traveling to the United States with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Nonimmigrants admitted under this NIE will still "need to attest to having made arrangements to receive a COVID-19 test within three to five days of arrival in the United States, to self-quarantine for seven days, to self-isolate in the event of a positive COVID-19 test or the development of COVID-19 symptoms, and to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 within 60 days of arrival in the United States if intending to stay in the United States for more than 60 days." Following a February 28, 2022 amendment and a March 29, 2022 amendment to the original order, this NIE was in effect until 11:59 P.M. EDT, April 30, 2022. Consult the full notices for further information.

Exception: Citizens of a foreign country where the availability of COVID-19 vaccination was limited

Proclamation 10294 Section 3(b)(vii) provided an exception to the vaccination requirement for:

"... any noncitizen who is a citizen of a foreign country where the availability of COVID-19 vaccination is limited, as identified pursuant to section 4(a)(v) of this proclamation, and who seeks to enter the United States pursuant to a nonimmigrant visa, except for a B-1 or B-2 visa;"

This seemed to partially address the request in an October 14, 2021 letter (led by the American Council on Education (ACE) and joined by NAFSA and 36 other organizations) that asked the Biden administration to allow international students, scholars, and researchers from countries where the vaccine is not widely available or where U.S.- or World Health Organization-approved vaccines are not widely available, to enter and be vaccinated in the United States upon arrival. Read the October 14, 2021 ACE letter that NAFSA joined .

Section 4(a)(v) of Proclamation 10294 charged "the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the CDC," with "maintaining a list of countries where the availability of COVID-19 vaccination is limited, with such countries defined as those where less than 10 percent of the country's total population has been fully vaccinated with any available COVID-19 vaccine or are otherwise determined by the Director of the CDC to qualify as countries where the availability of COVID-19 vaccination is limited."

CDC Amended Order Implementing Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic mirrored the language of Proclamation 10294, and defined "Foreign Country with Limited COVID-19 Vaccine Availability" as "a foreign country where less than 10 percent of the country's total population has been fully vaccinated with any available COVID-19 vaccine. These countries were listed by CDC in Technical Instructions ." CDC FAQs said that the list would be updated every three months.

In response to the question of whether someone qualified for this exception if they lived in a country with low vaccination availability but were a citizen of a country with high vaccination availability, another CDC FAQ responded: "No, to qualify for this exception, you must show a passport or other proof of citizenship of a country determined to have limited COVID-19 vaccine availability."

CDC's List of Foreign Countries with Limited COVID-19 Vaccine Availability included the following countries:

Table 4. List of Foreign Countries with Limited COVID-19 Vaccine Availability (Effective June 28, 2022)

CDC Technical Guidance: Citizens of Countries with Limited COVID-19 Vaccine Availability with Non-B-1 or B-2 Nonimmigrant Visa said that airlines or aircraft operators "must confirm that an individual claiming this exception has: A passport issued by a foreign country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability; and A valid nonimmigrant visa that is not a B-1 or B-2 visa... Airlines or aircraft operators must also confirm that the passenger has provided an Excepted Covered Individual Attestation ."

Exception: Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials

Proclamation 10294 Section 3(b)(iv) provided an exception to the official list of accepted vaccines for "any noncitizen who has participated or is participating in certain clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccination, as determined by the Director of the CDC." CDC Technical Instructions for implementing the proclamation listed the qualifying vaccine trials. See below for more information on this exception.

Exception: Noncitizens who are children under 18 years of age, or noncitizens for whom a COVID-19 vaccination is contraindicated or inappropriate

Proclamation 10294 Section 3(b):

"(iii)  any noncitizen for whom, given their age, requiring vaccination would be inappropriate, as determined by the Director of the CDC, taking into account global vaccine availability for individuals in that age group;" "(v)  any noncitizen for whom accepted COVID-19 vaccination is medically contraindicated, as determined by the Director of the CDC;" "(vi)  any noncitizen who has been granted an exception by the Director of the CDC for humanitarian or emergency reasons, as determined by the Director of the CDC;"

The exception at Section 3(b)(iii) appeared to be available to certain unvaccinated minor children under 18 years of age, for example, children of students and scholars coming to the United States in dependent statuses such as F-2, J-2, H-4, etc.

The White House Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Releases Additional Detail for Implementing a Safer, More Stringent International Air Travel System had this to say about the exception for children:

"Requirements for Children: Children under 18 are excepted from the vaccination requirement for foreign national travelers, given both the ineligibility of some younger children for vaccination, as well as the global variability in access to vaccination for older children who are eligible to be vaccinated. Children between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure test. If traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, an unvaccinated child can test three days prior to departure (consistent with the timeline for fully vaccinated adults). If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, they will have to test within one day of departure." [NAFSA note: since the "timeline for fully vaccinated adults has changed from 3 days to 1 day under the CDC's amended order effective December 6, 2021, all unvaccinated children will likely be required to be tested no more than 1 day prior to departure.)

In addition, the 60-day post-entry vaccination requirement of Proclamation 10294 Section 2(c) did not apply to a child under 18 years of age, although children still had to "present a completed Excepted Covered Individual Attestation to the airline or aircraft operator prior to embarking an aircraft destined to the United States." See CDC Amended Order Implementing Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic .

To document medical contraindication as the basis for an exception to Proclamation 10294, CDC FAQs on Exceptions to the Proclamation stated:

"What do I need to show if I have a medical contraindication to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine? You must show a letter from a licensed physician documenting the medical contraindication to the airline or aircraft operator before boarding a flight to the United States. The letter Must be signed and dated on official letterhead that contains contact information (name, address, and phone number) of a licensed healthcare provider. Must clearly state that you have a medical contraindication to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The name of the COVID-19 vaccine product and the medical condition must both be listed. Medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccination include immediate or severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose or component of a COVID-19 vaccine or known allergy to a component of a COVID-19 vaccine. Must have sufficient personally identifiable information (at a minimum full name and date of birth) to confirm that the letter matches with your passport or other travel information. If your letter is in a language other than English, check with your airlines or aircraft operator to find out if translation of the letter is necessary for their review."

Exception: Diplomats, employees of international organizations, and similar

"(i) any noncitizen seeking entry into or transiting the United States pursuant to one of the following nonimmigrant visa classifications:  A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3 (as a foreign government official or immediate family member of an official), E-1 (as an employee of TECRO or TECO or the employee's immediate family members), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-4, or NATO-6 (or seeking to enter as a nonimmigrant in one of those NATO classifications);" "(ii)  any noncitizen whose travel falls within the scope of section 11 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement or who is traveling pursuant to United States legal obligation (as evidenced by a letter of invitation from the United Nations or other documentation showing the purpose of such travel);"

Other exceptions included:

Proclamation 10294 Section 3(a): "any noncitizen seeking entry as a crew member of an airline or other aircraft operator if such crew member or operator adheres to all industry standard protocols for the prevention of COVID-19, as set forth in relevant guidance for crew member health issued by the CDC or by the Federal Aviation Administration in coordination with the CDC."

"(viii) any noncitizen who is a member of the United States Armed Forces or who is a spouse or child of a member of the United States Armed Forces;" (xi) any noncitizen seeking entry as a sea crew member traveling pursuant to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa, if such crew member adheres to all industry standard protocols for the prevention of COVID-19, as set forth in relevant guidance for crew member health by the CDC;"

No exception for religious reasons or other moral convictions

In response to the question, "Can I qualify for an exception to the proof of vaccination requirement under the Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order for religious reasons or other moral convictions?" CDC FAQs stated: "No, there are no exceptions under the Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order for religious reasons or other moral convictions." Likewise, the CDC Amended Order Implementing Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic stated: "Objections to vaccination based on religious or moral convictions do not qualify under this or any other exception listed in the Proclamation or this Order." Students who received an institutional exemption on these bases for purposes of the school's vaccination requirement were generally advised that the school's exemption would not be recognized for purposes of entry to the United States under the proclamation and CDC order.

60-Day Vaccination Requirement for Excepted Covered Individuals Admitted to the United States Under a 3(b) Exception

Nonimmigrants not fully vaccinated who are traveling by air to the United States under one of the Section 3(b) exceptions to Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021 (referred to as Excepted Covered Individuals in CDC guidance), were required, under Proclamation 10294 Section 2(c), to "...become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within 60 days of arriving in the United States, within some other timeframe as determined by the Director of the CDC, or as soon as medically appropriate as determined by the Director of the CDC, and had to provide proof of having arranged to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 after arriving in the United States, unless:

(i)    the noncitizen's intended stay is sufficiently brief, as determined by the Director of the CDC;

(ii)   the noncitizen is one for whom, given their age, requiring vaccination would be inappropriate, as determined by the Director of the CDC;

(iii)  the noncitizen has participated or is participating in certain clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccination, as determined by the Director of the CDC [NAFSA note: see CDC Technical Instructions for the list of acceptable COVID-19 clinical trial vaccinations];

(iv)   COVID-19 vaccination is medically contraindicated for the noncitizen, as determined by the Director of the CDC [NAFSA note: see CDC Technical Instructions: Medical Contraindication to COVID-19 Vaccination] ;

(v)    the noncitizen is described in section 3(b)(i) or 3(b)(ii) of this proclamation [NAFSA note: these are the exceptions for diplomats and employees of international organizations] and has previously received a COVID-19 vaccine that is authorized or approved by the noncitizen's country of nationality, as determined by the Director of the CDC, in consultation with the Secretary of State; or

(vi)   the Director of the CDC otherwise determines that COVID-19 vaccination is not warranted for the noncitizen."

The CDC Amended Order Implementing Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic contained attestation and other requirements. CDC provided a Combined Passenger Disclosure and Attestation that fulfilled the attestation requirements of CDC orders.

The CDC stated the following on its Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States page:

• "People who received the first dose of a 2-dose FDA-approved or FDA-authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccine do not need to restart the vaccine series in the United States. They should receive the second dose as close to the recommended time as possible and upon completion of the 2-dose primary series are considered fully vaccinated."
• People who have received only the first dose of a 2-dose COVID-19 primary series listed for emergency use by WHO 4
• People who received all or some of the recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine primary series that is not listed for emergency use by WHO.
• The minimum interval between receipt of the non-FDA-approved/authorized vaccine and initiation of the FDA-approved/authorized COVID-19 vaccine primary series is at least 28 days."

This was likely applicable to Excepted Covered Travelers who were either partially vaccinated with a vaccine accepted by the FDA or WHO, or who were vaccinated in whole or in part with a COVID-19 vaccine not accepted by the FDA or WHO prior to being admitted to the United States. Visitors with medical questions regarding vaccination generally consulted a physician or other appropriate medical provider.

Acceptable Vaccines and the Meaning of Fully Vaccinated

Section 4(a) of Proclamation 10294 charges the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the CDC," with implementing the proclamation as it applies to the public health components of the proclamation. This includes:

"(i)    defining and specifying accepted COVID-19 vaccines or combinations of accepted COVID-19 vaccines, and medical contraindications to accepted COVID-19 vaccines or combinations of accepted COVID-19 vaccines, for purposes of this proclamation; (ii)   defining whether an individual is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and specifying acceptable methods of proving that an individual is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, for purposes of this proclamation; (iii)  specifying acceptable methods of proving that an individual has arranged to comply with applicable public health requirements and protocols to protect against the further introduction, transmission, and spread of COVID-19 into and throughout the United States, including pre-departure testing, post-arrival testing, post-arrival self-quarantine or self-isolation, and post-arrival vaccination against COVID-19, for purposes of this proclamation; (iv)   determining whether certain persons qualify as participants in certain clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccination, for purposes of this proclamation; (v)    maintaining a list of countries where the availability of COVID-19 vaccination is limited, with such countries defined as those where less than 10 percent of the country's total population has been fully vaccinated with any available COVID-19 vaccine or are otherwise determined by the Director of the CDC to qualify as countries where the availability of COVID-19 vaccination is limited; and (vi)   establishing other public health measures consistent with this proclamation to protect against the further introduction, transmission, and spread of COVID-19 into and throughout the United States by persons described in section 2 of this proclamation."

Acceptable Vaccines

The CDC webpage Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers listed the following vaccines as acceptable for this purpose:

Vaccination with a vaccine not on these lists would not satisfy Proclamation 10294 requirements, until the FDA or WHO added the vaccine to their lists.

Proclamation 10294 Section 3(b)(iv) provided an exception for "any noncitizen who has participated or is participating in certain clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccination, as determined by the Director of the CDC." CDC Technical Instructions for implementing the proclamation listed the qualifying vaccine trials, which included:

According to the CDC Technical Instructions, to qualify under this exception the passenger had to present to the airline official documentation of participation in one of the above clinical trials (e.g., clinical trial letter, participant card, or modified vaccination card) that included the following information:

• "Passenger has participated or is participating in a Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial with a qualifying vaccine candidate listed in Table 3 below that meets CDC criteria for the exception; AND
• Passenger received the full series of an active (non-placebo) COVID-19 qualifying vaccine candidate, and lists name of the vaccine product and the date(s) received. See table 3 for the list of COVID-19 qualifying vaccine candidates.

If a passenger received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (non-placebo) in a clinical trial, the passenger is considered fully vaccinated."

Meaning of "Fully Vaccinated"

CDC Amended Order Implementing Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic defined "Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19" as someone for whom it has been:

2 weeks (14 days) or more since a person received one dose of an accepted single-dose-series COVID-19 vaccine; OR

2 weeks (14 days) or more since a person's second dose in a 2-dose series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine; OR

2 weeks (14 days) or more since a person received the full series of an "active" (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials; OR

2 weeks (14 days) or more since a person received a complete series of a vaccine or combination of vaccines listed by CDC in Technical Instructions.

The CDC webpage Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers described the meaning of "fully vaccinated" for this purpose:

"Are you Fully Vaccinated for Air Travel to the United States?

You are considered fully vaccinated: 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 COVID-19 vaccine; or 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an "active" (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials 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* If you don't meet these requirements, you are NOT considered fully vaccinated. *CDC has not recommended the use of mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccine primary series. However, such strategies are increasingly common in many countries outside of the United States. Therefore, for the purpose of interpreting vaccination records for travel to the United States, CDC will accept combinations of accepted COVID-19 vaccines ."

Proof of Vaccination

CDC Technical Instructions: Types of Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination stated that "Airlines or aircraft operators must confirm that every Covered Individual , unless excepted, has presented Proof of Being Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States from any foreign country. Airlines or aircraft operators must review each passenger's paper or digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination to confirm:

• the personal identifiers (at a minimum, full name and date of birth) on the proof of vaccination match the personal identifiers on the passenger's passport or other travel identification document; AND
• the passenger meets CDC's definition of Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19."

CDC Technical Instructions: Types of Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination and Table 1. Acceptable Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination described acceptable proof and provide examples.

In addition to providing vaccine or exception documentation, prior to boarding the traveler also had to complete and give to the airline an attestation that conforms to the CDC Combined Passenger Disclosure and Attestation .

Negative COVID-19 Viral Test Condition at Air Ports of Entry

Brief timeline of the pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement:

• The negative COVID-19 test requirement applied to all air passengers 2 years or older boarding a flight to the United States, regardless of citizenship.
• Fully vaccinated individuals: The viral test had to be conducted on a sample taken no more than 3 days before the flight's departure from a foreign country.
• Not fully vaccinated: The viral test had to be conducted on a sample taken no more than 1 day before the flight's departure from a foreign country if the traveler does not show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This also included nonimmigrants who were not fully vaccinated, but who are requesting admission to the United States under an exception to the vaccination requirement of Proclamation of October 25, 2021.
• The viral test had to be conducted on a sample taken no more than 1 day before the flight's departure from a foreign country, regardless of vaccination status. This also includes nonimmigrants who are not fully vaccinated, but who are requesting admission to the United States under an exception to the vaccination requirement of Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021.
• The pre-departure viral test is no longer required. See: Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country .

Vaccine Requirement at Land Ports of Entry

Update : The U.S.-Canada-Mexico COVID restrictions end at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 12, 2023, under a pair of Federal Register Notice published on May 10, 2023. Canada notice | Mexico notice .

On January 20, 2022 DHS announced :

“Starting on January 22, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security will require that non-U.S. individuals entering the United States via land ports of entry or ferry terminals along our Northern and Southern borders be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and be prepared to show related proof of vaccination,”  said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.  “These updated travel requirements reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to protecting public health while safely facilitating the cross-border trade and travel that is critical to our economy.”

Acceptable vaccines for land and ferry POEs included the same list of vaccines acceptable for travel through air POEs.

In a pair of Federal Register notices published on January 24, 2022 but effective January 22, 2022 , CBP announced the end of the prior "essential travel" restrictions on entry through a land or ferry port of entry at the Canadian and Mexican borders, replacing those restrictions with a vaccine requirement virtually identical to the one that governed entry through air ports of entry, discussed above. Unlike air travel, however, travel through a land or ferry port of entry did not require travelers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry.

• Canada notices. 87 FR 3429 (January 24, 2022) - Vaccine requirement for entry through a land or ferry port of entry at the Canadian border, through April 21, 2022. Extended with no set expiration date by CBP notice published at 87 FR 24048 (April 22, 2022) .
• Mexico notices. 87 FR 3425 (January 24, 2022 ) - Vaccine requirement for entry through a land or ferry port of entry at the Mexican border, through April 21, 2022. Extended with no set expiration date by CBP notice published at 87 FR 24041 (April 22, 2022) .

The notices stated:

"Under the temporary restrictions, DHS will allow processing for entry into the United States of only those noncitizen non-LPRs who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and can provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon request. The restrictions provide for limited exceptions, largely consistent with the limited exceptions currently available with respect to COVID-19 vaccination in the international air travel context. Unlike past actions of this type, this Notification does not contain an exception for essential travel."

The vaccination requirement at U.S. land and ferry ports of entry did not apply to:

• U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals
• Lawful permanent residents of the United States
• American Indians who have a right by statute to pass the borders of, or enter into, the United States

The DHS land port of entry policy established several exceptions very similar to the exceptions available for air travelers, including:

• "Certain categories of persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel as specified in the CDC Order;
• persons under 18 years of age;
• certain participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials as specified in the CDC Order;
• persons with medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as specified in the CDC Order;
• persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception by the Secretary of Homeland Security;
• persons 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,
• persons whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security ."

However, as was the case with the "national interest" exception for air travel, DHS did not specify any blanket national interest determinations, nor did it provide any guidance on how individuals might qualify for a national interest exception to the vaccination requirement. Review the discussion of vaccination exceptions in the air travel context, above.

Also note that although the prior land port of entry restrictions had considered "Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions" and "Individuals traveling to work in the United States" as "essential travel" exempt from the prior restrictions, the policy effective January 22, 2022 no longer treated such travel as exceptions to the full vaccination requirement.

DHS  Frequently Asked Questions: Entering the U.S. Through a Land Port of Entry and or Ferry Terminal confirmed that, unlike air travel, there was not a pre-departure COVID viral test requirement for travel through a land POE:

"Q: Do individuals need proof of a negative COVID-19 test like you do to travel by plane?

A : No. There is not a COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers at land POEs."

Revocation of Geographic COVID-19 Proclamations

Presidential Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021 replaced the prior geographic travel ban restrictions with new air travel vaccination requirements, which are applicable not only to travel from one of the countries formerly subject to a geographic travel ban, but to travel to the United States by air by nonimmigrants from any part of the world .

Effective November 8, 2021, Section 1 of Proclamation 10294 officially revoked all four geographic COVID-19 proclamations, including:

• Proclamation 9984 of January 31, 2020 ( China ), which restricted the "entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the People's Republic of China, excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States," unless exempted or otherwise excepted.
• Proclamation 9992 of February 29, 2020 ( Iran ), which restricted the "entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Islamic Republic of Iran, during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States," unless exempted or otherwise excepted.
• Proclamation 10143 of January 25, 2021 which restricted entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, "of all aliens who were physically present within" South Africa, the European Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and Brazil , unless exempted or otherwise excepted.
• Proclamation of 10199 of April 30, 2021 (India), which restricted "the entry into the United States, as nonimmigrants, of noncitizens of the United States ("noncitizens") who were physically present within the Republic of India during the 14‑day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States" unless exempted or otherwise excepted.

Section 4(d) of Proclamation 10294 directs the Departments of State, Transportation, and Homeland Security to consider revising or revoking their respective agency's regulations, guidance documents, and policies that are inconsistent with the policy set forth in the proclamation:

"(d) The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall review any regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions developed pursuant to Proclamations 9984, 9992, 10143, and 10199 and, as appropriate, shall consider revising or revoking these agency actions consistent with the policy set forth in this proclamation."

Proclamation 10329 of December 28, 2021 , A Proclamation on Revoking Proclamation 10315 , published in the Federal Register at 87 FR 149 (January 3, 2022), revoked Proclamation 10315 of November 26, 2021, which had suspended entry of immigrants or nonimmigrants who were physically present within the Republic of Botswana , the Kingdom of Eswatini , the Kingdom of Lesotho , the Republic of Malawi , the Republic of Mozambique , the Republic of Namibia , the Republic of South Africa , and the Republic of Zimbabwe during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.

See NAFSA's page Archive: Geographic COVID-19 Proclamations Affecting Entry from Certain Countries for historical information on the five geographic COVID-19 proclamations.

Links to Government Sources

NAFSA maintained this list of Government sources in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are kept here for archive and reference purposes.

White House

• Presidential Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021, Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-⁠19 Pandemic
• Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Releases Additional Detail for Implementing a Safer, More Stringent International Air Travel System

Department of State

• Department of State: Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for International Trave l
• Department of State: Safely Resuming Travel by Vaccine Requirement and Rescission of Travel Restrictions on Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom
• Department of State Consular Affairs YouTube Discussion with CDC (11/19/2021)
• CDC order updated December 2, 2021
• CDC order updated October 25, 2021
• CDC Technical Instructions for Implementing Presidential Proclamation and CDC's Order
• CDC webpage Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers
• CDC FAQs on Exceptions to the Proclamation
• CDC webpage Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19
• CDC webpage Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States
• CDC Combined Passenger Disclosure and Attestation that travelers will have to complete and provide to airline, in addition to having the documentation to support the attestations
• CDC Global Contact Tracing Order 10-25-2021
• CDC Order Implementing Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic . "CDC issued an Order on October 25, 2021 to implement the President's direction on safe resumption of global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided guidance to airlines, other aircraft operators, and passengers in Technical Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions.All non-U.S.-citizen, non-immigrants, with limited exceptions, traveling to the United States by air must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination."
• CDC Order Requiring Airlines to Collect Contact Information for All Passengers Arriving into the United States . "CDC issued an Order on October 25, 2021 requiring airlines and other aircraft operators to collect contact information for passengers before they board a flight to the United States from a foreign country. The purpose of collecting this information is to identify and locate passengers who may have been exposed to a person with a communicable disease for public health follow-up. Airlines will retain the information for 30 days and transmit the information to CDC upon request for contact tracing and public health follow-up to keep people safe."

Department of Homeland Security

• Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals
• Frequently Asked Questions: Entering the U.S. Through a Land Port of Entry and or Ferry Terminal
• National Interest Exception for Certain Nonimmigrants Who Were Physically Present in Ukraine as of February 10, 2022

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

• COVID-19: Restrictions on Noncitizen Travel . Congressional Research Service Legal Sidebar, updated December 2, 2021.

Related Content

Regulatory resources.

International travelers to the US will be able to skip proof of COVID vaccine, WH says

The Biden administration will lift the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for inbound international air travelers on Friday.

"As we continue to monitor the evolving state of COVID-19 and the emergence of virus variants, we have the tools to detect and respond to the potential emergence of a variant of high consequence," President Joe Biden said in a proclamation Tuesday. "Considering the progress that we have made, and based on the latest guidance from our public health experts, I have determined that we no longer need the international air travel restrictions that I imposed in October 2021."

Biden announced the change last week , along with the end of vaccine requirements for federal employees and contractors, foreign nationals at the land border and others. The requirement for air travelers will lift at midnight Thursday as the coronavirus public health emergency ends. Biden previously  signed a bill ending the COVID national emergency  in April.

So, what does that mean for travelers? Here's what we know.

Summer travel is expensive: Here's why flight prices heat up when the weather does

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Why are travel refunds taking so long? Here are some tips to get your money back

Is there still a vaccine requirement for international travelers coming to the US?

Not as of later this week.

Currently, all "non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants traveling to the United States by air" must show proof of vaccination with limited exceptions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's  website .

Industry group the U.S. Travel Association, which had called on the Biden administration to  end the vaccine requirement  for inbound international visitors and argued the rule was an impediment to tourism, applauded the change when it was announced last week.

“Today’s action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward," Geoff Freeman, the organization's President and CEO, said in a statement last week. He also called on the federal government to "ensure U.S. airports and other ports of entry are appropriately staffed with Customs and Border Protection officers to meet the growing demand for entry."

The U.S.  lifted a requirement  that air travelers coming from China show proof of a negative COVID test in March. The policy took effect in January amid a surge of cases in China.

The U.S.  dropped its COVID testing rule  for international flyers in June.

Do travelers need a vaccine to cross the Mexico or Canada borders to the US?

The Department of Homeland Security also said in a news release that it will no longer require non-U.S. travelers coming into the country by land or at ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated or show proof of their vaccination status.

Do US travelers need to be vaccinated against COVID to travel internationally?

That depends. Many destinations have dropped their vaccination and testing requirements for travel, though some still have rules in place. The Philippines, for example, still requires travelers to be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test in order to visit, according to the  U.S. Embassy in the Philippines .

AI, self-service are taking over travel: Will everything become a DIY experience?

The CDC also recommends travelers be up to date on their COVID vaccinations before leaving the country. The agency defines up to date as having one updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for people age 6 and up, which "protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5," according to its  website .

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

'Drunk' man jumps off cruise ship in front of shocked family

Ex-mlb all-star angers neighbours with high-end backyard baseball field, furey: councillors throw toronto cops under bus for doing their job, lilley: trudeau's out-of-control immigration hurting jobs and housing, ex-nhler bobby ryan wages online war against women's sports, allow unvaccinated canadians to cross u.s. border, poilievre asks biden.

Author of the article:

You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.

Article content

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Friday he asked President Joe Biden to remove the U.S. government’s requirement that Canadians be vaccinated for COVID-19 before crossing the border.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
• Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
• Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
• Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
• Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account.
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
• Enjoy additional articles per month.
• Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Don't have an account? Create Account

Allow unvaccinated Canadians to cross U.S. border, Poilievre asks Biden Back to video

He told reporters after their meeting that American citizens are no longer required to have their shots and Canada allows unvaccinated Americans to visit.

“There are millions of good, decent, honourable people who, through a personal medical decision, are discriminated against at the border,” Poilievre said.

“I encouraged the president to lift those restrictions to allow them freedom of mobility.”

Poilievre won the leadership of his party a little more than six months ago by mounting a vocal opposition to COVID-19 health restrictions, including mask and vaccine mandates, but he has since focused his message on cost-of-living issues.

He met with Biden on Parliament Hill Friday during the president’s 27-hour visit to the Canadian capital, and later shared a photo of the two online.

Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.

• There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

Michael Ignatieff was the last Opposition leader to have face time with a U.S president. The former Liberal leader met with former President Barack Obama in 2009. It happened at the airport.

Poilievre said Friday he found Biden wants to be a “friendly” and “decent” neighbour to Canada, and on a personal level, he said he told the president they share Irish heritage.

He said they discussed the need for Canada to bolster its defence systems and “bring fairness” to workers by seeing the U.S. exempt Canada from its Buy American policies.

The Tory leader also said he expressed a need for Biden to axe tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, arguing that the long-standing dispute saw a brief reprieve under Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper.

“I don’t believe that Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau has pushed and fought on behalf of Canadians,” he said.

Before the meeting, Poilievre had shared some unscripted moments with the leader of the free world.

As he stood in a receiving line of Canadianpoliticians from all parties who were greeting Biden upon his arrival at Parliament Hill, Poilievre introduced himself as the “Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.”

That prompted Biden to question, still shaking Poilievre’s hand: “Loyal opposition?”

Poilievre assured him that yes, “we believe that opposition is an act of loyalty in our system.”

Biden chuckled, patting Poilievre on the arm.

“We do, too, unfortunately,” he said, chuckling.

Later, while addressing the House of Commons, Biden noted that both he and Trudeau appointed cabinets that were half women, making them the first in their respective countries to do so.

Many in the chamber broke out in applause.

Biden noticed that Poilievre and the Opposition Conservatives were not quick to rise, and quipped: “Evenif you don’t agree, guys, I’d stand up,” which Poilievre and others then did.

Asked afterwards about that interaction, Poilievre said only: “We support gender equality for all Canadians.”

Poilievre was on the guestlist for a dinner with Biden Friday evening, along with other government ministers, officials and celebrities.

The invitation process came with a dash of partisanship.

Earlier in the day, staff in Poilievre’s office were left scratching their heads when they said it had not received an invite from Trudeau’s office to attend, and asserted that any suggestion he had refused the invitation was false.

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed it had sent Poilievre notice of the dinner — but the invitation went to a personal email account that notifies senders it is not monitored.

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here . By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .

You've reached the 20 article limit.

You can manage saved articles in your account.

and save up to 100 articles!

Looks like you've reached your saved article limit!

You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Can Americans Travel to Canada? 

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Editor's note: Effective Oct. 1, 2022 all previous border measures to enter Canada have ended.

Traveling in the COVID era comes with all sorts of questions, logistics and concerns that travelers didn't think about before 2020. Traveling to Canada, despite its proximity to the U.S., has been no different.

In March 2020, the U.S. and Canada both closed their land borders to nonessential travel due to COVID-19. What started as a monthlong closure was extended 18 times.

So, if you gave up following the news or tracking border rules, you might be wondering: Can Americans travel to Canada? As of Oct. 1, the answer is yes, with no COVID-related restrictions.

Here's what Americans need to know about traveling to Canada.

What do Americans need to enter Canada?

As a U.S. citizen, you will need to provide proof of citizenship and identity to enter Canada. This can include a U.S. passport , passport card or a NEXUS card . No visa is required as long as your stay is under 180 days.

While the border between the U.S. and Canada reopened for nonessential travel in both directions in November 2021, several COVID-related protocols remained in place for entry until October 2022. Those rules have now been lifted.

Do you need to be vaccinated to enter Canada?

According to the Canadian government travel website, vaccination is no longer required to enter the country.

Previous policies including mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app, proof of vaccination, pre- or on-arrival testing, quarantine and health checks have also been lifted.

» Learn more: How to travel to Toronto on points and miles

Do you have to wear a mask on a plane to Canada?

In mid-2022, many Americans may have been surprised to find that they were required to wear a mask on all flights to and from Canada (flights throughout the U.S. had lifted that restriction). However, as part of the Oct. 1 policy changes, masks are no longer required on planes or trains in Canada.

Can unvaccinated people travel to Canada?

As of Oct. 1, 2022, you can travel to Canada unvaccinated as travel restrictions have been lifted.

» Learn more: TSA PreCheck or Global Entry — Which is right for you?

If you’re planning to travel to Canada

Travel to Canada is back to pre-pandemic rules which simply require U.S. citizens to provide valid proof of citizenship and identification using a passport, passport card or NEXUS card for stays under 180 days. Standard customs and immigration paperwork will still be required, as has always been the case for travel into Canada.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Language selection

• Français fr

Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Update on Measles and Risk to Canadians

From: Public Health Agency of Canada

Canada is currently experiencing an increase in measles activity, with cases reported in four provinces in 2024. As of today, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is aware of 40 measles cases in Canada this year, which is already more than three times the number of cases reported in 2023.

March 27, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

Canada is currently experiencing an increase in measles activity, with cases reported in four provinces in 2024. As of today, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is aware of 40 measles cases in Canada this year, which is already more than three times the number of cases reported in 2023. PHAC has received reports that seven of these people with measles required hospital care. The majority of measles cases in Canada are in people who are unvaccinated, most of whom are children. Some people with recent measles infections were exposed to measles while travelling internationally, while others were exposed in Canada.

I remain concerned that measles vaccination coverage among school-age children (for whom two doses of measles-containing vaccines are recommended) is not high enough in some parts of the country to protect against further spread of measles. Measles is highly contagious; 90% of people who are unvaccinated or not previously infected can become infected if they come into close contact with someone with measles. It is also important to understand that measles is more than a rash. Infection can lead to rare, but severe complications, including deafness and brain injury caused by inflammation of the brain, and can even be fatal.

Measles can be prevented through vaccination. I strongly advise parents and caregivers to ensure that children in their care have received all measles vaccines according to their provincial or territorial vaccination schedule . There is currently adequate supply of measles-containing vaccines in Canada for those who need a vaccine. If a child in your care has not received all recommended measles-containing vaccines for their age it is important to get them back on schedule. Talk to the child's health care provider or your local public health department about catching up on your child's missing vaccines.

PHAC recently undertook an assessment with provinces and territories and other partners to understand the potential risks and impact of measles in Canada. Risk assessments such as this one, support public health planning, responses and decision making to improve health outcomes for people living in Canada. The assessment concluded that there is a high likelihood of travellers infected with measles continuing to enter Canada. It is possible that infections spreading from these travellers could result in transmission in the community and outbreaks in educational settings, including child-care and pre-school, health care facilities, and un- or under-vaccinated communities. Measles infection is mainly a concern for un- or under-vaccinated persons who have not had previous infection. The risk of serious illness among those who become infected is highest in infants, children under the age of five, and persons who are immunocompromised, or pregnant.

People in Canada are at very low risk of catching measles if they have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or if they have been infected with the measles virus in the past. Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is almost 100% effective at preventing measles infection and is recommended in all provinces and territories for children, adolescents and some adults.

If you plan to travel outside of Canada , talk to a health care provider or local public health department preferably 6 weeks before travel to see if you need additional doses of a measles-containing vaccine.

If you believe you or your family may have been exposed to measles and have not been adequately vaccinated (or have not had a measles infection in the past), isolate and contact your health care provider or local public health department immediately for guidance. You should avoid travel and gatherings if you have symptoms of measles.

Initial symptoms of measles include fever, red watery eyes, runny nose, and cough followed by a red rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body. If you develop symptoms of measles, call a health care provider immediately. If you need to be seen in person, the health care provider can arrange to see you while preventing the spread to others.

No one should have to experience serious illness from a vaccine-preventable disease like measles. Help stop the spread of measles in Canada by ensuring you and your family receive recommended measles vaccines.

Media Relations Public Health Agency of Canada 613-957-2983 [email protected]

Page details

Total solar eclipse April 8, 2024 facts: Path, time and the best places to view

In the U.S., 31 million people already live inside the path of totality.

Scroll down to see the list of U.S. cities where the April 8 total solar eclipse will be visible, the duration of the eclipse in those locations and what time totality will begin, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com .

"Eclipse Across America," will air live Monday, April 8, beginning at 2 p.m. ET on ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+ and Hulu as well as network social media platforms.

On April 8, 2024, a historic total solar eclipse will cast a shadow over parts of the United States, prompting a mass travel event to the path of totality -- from Texas to Maine and several states and cities in between.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth and, for a short time, completely blocks the face of the sun, according to NASA .

The track of the moon's shadow across Earth's surface is called the path of totality, and to witness the April 8 total solar eclipse, viewers must be within the 115-mile-wide path. To discover when to see the solar eclipse in totality or the partial eclipse in locations across the U.S. outside of the path, check out NASA's Eclipse Explorer tool .

Eclipse travel

In the U.S., 31 million people already live inside the path of totality, bringing the celestial phenomenon to their doorsteps, Michael Zeiler, expert solar eclipse cartographer at GreatAmericanEclipse.com told ABC News.

MORE: Eclipse glasses: What to know to keep your eyes safe

But for individuals outside of the path, investing time and money are needed to experience the event in totality.

Eclipse chasers, or umbraphiles, are individuals who will do almost anything, and travel almost anywhere, to see totality, according to the American Astronomical Society .

"There's a very active community of solar eclipse chasers and we will go to any reasonable lengths to see solar eclipses anywhere in the world," Zeiler said. "All of us are united in pursuing the unimaginable beauty of a total solar eclipse."

MORE: The surprising reason why a Texas county issued a disaster declaration ahead of April total solar eclipse

Bringing together both eclipse experts and novice sky watchers, the total solar eclipse on April 8 is projected to be the U.S.'s largest mass travel event in 2024, according to Zeiler, who likened it to "50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation."

"When you look at the number of people expected to come to the path of totality for the solar eclipse, we estimate those numbers are roughly the equivalent of 50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation, from Texas to Maine," he said.

Eclipse map, path of totality

In the U.S., the path of totality begins in Texas and will travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse, according to NASA.

Best times, places to view eclipse

Below is a list of some American cities where the April 8 total solar eclipse will be most visible -- pending weather forecasts -- the duration of the eclipse in those locations and what time totality will begin, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com.

• Eagle Pass, Texas, 1:27 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 23 seconds
• Uvalde, Texas, 1:29 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 16 seconds
• Kerrville, Texas, 1:32 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 23 seconds
• Austin, Texas, 1:36 p.m. CDT: 1 minute, 53 seconds
• Killeen, Texas, 1:36 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 17 seconds
• Fort Worth, Texas, 1:40 p.m. CDT: 2 minutes, 34 seconds
• Dallas, Texas, 1:40 p.m. CDT: 3 minutes, 47 seconds
• Little Rock, Arkansas, 1:51 p.m. CDT: 2 minutes, 33 seconds
• Jonesboro, Arkansas, 1:55 p.m. CDT: 2 minutes, 24 seconds
• Poplar Bluff, Arkansas, 1:56 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 8 seconds
• Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 1:58 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 6 seconds
• Carbondale, Illinois, 1:59 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 8 seconds
• Mount Vernon, Illinois, 2:00 p.m. CDT: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
• Evansville, Indiana, 2:02 p.m. CDT: 3 minutes, 2 seconds
• Terre Haute, Indiana, 3:04 p.m. EDT: 2 minutes, 57 seconds
• Indianapolis, Indiana, 3:06 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 46 seconds
• Dayton, Ohio, 3:09 p.m. EDT: 2 minutes, 46 seconds
• Wapakoneta, Ohio, 3:09 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 55 seconds
• Toledo, Ohio, 3:12 p.m. EDT: 1 minute, 54 seconds
• Cleveland, Ohio, 3:13 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 50 seconds

Pennsylvania

• Erie, Pennsylvania, 3:16 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 43 seconds
• Buffalo, New York, 3:18 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 45 seconds
• Rochester, New York, 3:20 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
• Syracuse, New York, 3:23 p.m. EDT: 1 minute, 26 seconds
• Burlington, Vermont, 3:26 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 14 seconds
• Island Falls, Maine, 3:31 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 20 seconds
• Presque Island, Maine, 3:32 p.m. EDT: 2 minutes, 47 seconds

Related Stories

Why April’s total solar eclipse will be historic

• Apr 4, 10:23 AM

Why schools are closing for total solar eclipse

• Apr 4, 7:03 PM

Total solar eclipse weather forecast on April 8

• 3 hours ago

April total solar eclipse: Where to avoid clouds

• Apr 1, 5:02 AM

April 8 partial solar eclipse times and magnitudes

• Apr 4, 6:31 AM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events