Requirements for entry to the USA: Covid test no longer required

From June 2022 a covid test is no longer required for entry to the USA. However, the vaccination remains mandatory

From 00:01 GMT on 12 June 2022, travellers heading to the USA are no longer required to show, upon boarding, a negative Covid test or a Covid recovery certificate. 

The new regulations introduced by the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) are valid for 90 days. At the end of this period, the CDC will decide, based on the evolution of the pandemic, on the re-introduction of this control measure on entry to the USA.

The repeal of the Covid test mandate does not entail the elimination of the requirement of the vaccination.

Only those who have undergone a full vaccination cycle and are able to show a vaccination certification (also in digital format) are allowed to enter the USA.

The status of ‘fully vaccinated’ applies to persons who have received, at least 14 days prior to their arrival in the USA, the second vaccination shot, or a single shot in the case of vaccines which entail a single inoculation (Johnson and Johnson).

Who will check the vaccination certificate?

It is the responsibility of the airline to verify that the traveller’s details match those shown on the vaccination certification, as well as its validity

Who is exempted from the vaccination mandate?

Persons younger than 18 are not subject to compulsory vaccination but, in case they are not vaccinated (and aged between 2 and 17), they are mandated to undergo a Covid test 1 day before departing for the USA.

Travellers who, for medical reasons or contraindications, cannot undergo vaccination, or are participating in Covid-19 clinical trials, are also exempted.

Travellers who are not subject to the vaccine mandate will still need to take a Covid-19 test within 3 to 5 days of arrival in the USA. Even in case the test is negative, it will be necessary to undergo a 7-day self-isolation period, unless the traveller can show a Covid recovery certificate.

Which other documents are required for entry to the USA?

Here is a list of requirements by the immigration officers upon entry to the USA:

·         A passport with a Visa or an ESTA;

·         Information on the trip, such as time and place of stay

·         Permission to take a passport photo of the traveller;

·         Release of fingerprints on a dedicated scanner

If your flight is headed to the USA, even simply for a stopover, you will need to get an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization): the US-government electronic system for travelling without a Visa.

You can apply for ESTA if you are planning to stay in the United States for up to 90 days, otherwise, it will be necessary to apply for a Visa.

To apply for ESTA, you simply need to fill in an online form and have a valid electronic passport. The validity of ESTA is 2 years, or until the expiration date of your passport.

Esta.Support offers a support service to those who are planning to apply for ESTA. With our help, we guarantee that 99% of the applications are successful.