The United States remains one of the few holdouts that still requires incoming foreign travelers to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. In fact, while many countries around the world have scrapped their COVID-19 rules entirely, the US government extended its vaccination requirement until May 2023 just last month.
However, this may be changing sooner than anticipated. This week, the US House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill that may end the vaccination requirement earlier, allowing the US to join many of its European and Asian counterparts in once again permitting restriction-free entry.
Organizations like the U.S. Travel Association, a nonprofit entity that advocates on behalf of the travel industry, have been responsible for urging Congress to end the vaccination restriction.
During a press conference last week, U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff May stated, “Why wait till May? We have the power right now to remove this requirement to bring travelers back into the country. And we certainly hope there will be an aggressive effort to do that.”
While it remains to be seen what the outcome will be, as of now, all foreigners entering the United States must still provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
“Non-citizens who are non-immigrants and seeking to enter the United States by air are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States from a foreign country. If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will NOT be allowed to board a flight to the United States, unless you meet the criteria for an exception under the Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order. A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.”
How soon the US government chooses to remove this vaccination requirement could impact the summer travel plans of those who want to visit the US or have family visit them in the US, but are unable to get vaccinated due to health or availability reasons. Many of these individuals have been unable to see their families in the United States for three years, and are undoubtedly hoping for an end to these restrictions as soon as possible.
