Biden Administration Lifts COVID-19 Travel Bans, Adds Vaccine Requirement

By Melina LaMorticella, Alan Perkins, Turid Owren, and Melany Savitt

This week the Biden Administration issued a new Presidential Proclamation that will take effect on November 8, 2021, ending the U.S. COVID-19 travel restrictions that applied to most foreign national nonimmigrants traveling from Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. 

In lifting these travel restrictions, the Administration has implemented vaccination requirements for most adult foreign national travelers on U.S.-bound flights that depart after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 8, 2021. These travelers will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccination requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. green card holders. 

Information on the vaccination requirement, including information on exceptions and waivers, is available: Non-U.S. citizen, Non-U.S. immigrants: Air Travel to the United States | CDC.

Travel requirements for U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. green card holders is available here.

All travelers will continue to be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than three days before travel, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19, when traveling to the United States by air.

This client alert is prepared for the general information of our clients and friends. It should not be regarded as legal advice. If you have any questions regarding this update, or for more information about this topic, please contact any of the attorneys in our Immigration Practice Group, or the attorney with whom you normally consult.

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