Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more
UPDATE
Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.
UPDATE
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.
UPDATE
Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. More information is available here.

Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers

Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers

Required for non-U.S. citizen, nonimmigrant passengers arriving from a foreign country to the United States by air

What You Need to Know
  • If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country.
  • Some categories of noncitizen, nonimmigrants are excepted from this requirement. If you meet the criteria for one of these categories, you will need to fulfill additional requirements to travel by air to the United States.
  • At this time, all air passengers ages 2 or older, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, must show a negative result of a COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States. For more information about these testing requirements, visit Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19.

On October 25, 2021, the President issued a Proclamationexternal icon to suspend and limit entry into the United States for non-U.S. citizens who are nonimmigrants, referred to as “Covered individuals,” seeking to enter the United States by air travel and are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. On the same day, CDC issued the Order: Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic to implement the President’s direction.

On April 4, 2022, CDC issued an Amended Order to align post arrival public health requirements for excepted noncitizen nonimmigrants with current CDC recommendations. The Amended Order also clarifies that parents or guardians do not need to complete an attestation on behalf of children under 2 years of age; and formalizes other guidance described in Technical Instructions, announced in frequently asked questions, and in the attestation. This amendment is effective as of April 14, 2022 at 12:01am EDT.

The Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, immigrants, or, under certain circumstances, air crew members. Additionally, the Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order have no effect on certain groups of non-citizens.

For more information, including exceptions, see Presidential Proclamationexternal icon and Frequently Asked Questions below.

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 vaccine
  • 2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series
  • 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial
  • 2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart*

If you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT considered fully vaccinated. A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.

A person who has received only one dose of an accepted 2-dose series and has recovered from COVID-19 does not meet this definition, and therefore is NOT considered fully vaccinated for travel to the United States.

*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.

U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, and U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents

The Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders).

For additional information on actions to take before, during, and after international travel, visit International Travel: Information for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants.

Immigrants and Other Non-affected Persons

The Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order do not apply to immigrants (including Special Immigrant Visa holders). An immigrant is any non-U.S. citizen who has a visa listed in “Immigrant Visa Categories” on the U.S. Department of State’s webpage Directory of Visa Categoriesexternal icon; it does not include K nonimmigrant visa holders, who are Covered Individuals (see below).

The Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order have no effect on several non-U.S. citizens, including:

  • Non-U.S. citizens eligible for asylum;
  • Non-U.S. citizens eligible for withholding of removal;
  • Non-U.S. citizens eligible for protection under the regulations issued pursuant to the legislation implementing the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
  • Non-U.S. citizens admitted to the United States as refugeesexternal icon;
    • Persons with a visa 92 or 93 (Follow-to-Join) status; and
  • Non-U.S. citizens granted parole into the United States.

NOTE: Certain categories of non-U.S. citizens, including immigrant visa applicants/holders, refugees, parolees, and asylees, and those seeking to enter the United States by land or sea travel may be subject to separate COVID-19 vaccination requirements. These individuals are advised to consult and become familiar with all applicable U.S. requirements for entry.

For additional information on before, during, and after international travel, visit International Travel: Information for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants.

Air Crew Members

The Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order do not apply to crew members of airlines or other aircraft operators while on official duty status if such crewmembers and operators adhere to all industry standard protocols for the prevention of COVID-19 as set forth in relevant guidance for crewmember health issued by the CDC or by the Federal Aviation Administration in coordination with the CDC. Please see the Technical Instructions for more information.

Noncitizens, Nonimmigrants (Covered Individuals)

Noncitizens who are nonimmigrants 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.

Categories of noncitizen nonimmigrants that meet the criteria for an exception under the Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order include:

  • Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel
  • Children under 18 years of age
  • Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials
  • Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception
  • Persons with valid visas [excluding B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas] who are citizens of a foreign country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability (See list effective as of April 14, 2022)
  • Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age)
  • Sea crew members traveling with to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa
  • Persons whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, or Secretary of Homeland Security (or their designees)

If you travel by air to the United States under one of these exceptions, you will be required to attest that you are excepted from the requirement to present Proof of Being Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 based on one of the exceptions listed above. Based on the category of the exception, you may further be required to attest that:

  1. You will be tested with a COVID-19 viral test 3–5 days after arrival in the United States, unless you have documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days;
  2. You will self-quarantine for a full 5 days, even if the test result to the post-arrival viral test is negative, unless you have documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days; and
  3. You will self-isolate if the result of the post-arrival test is positive or if you develop COVID-19 symptoms.

Depending on the category of the exception, if you intend to stay in the United States for longer than 60 days you may additionally be required to attest that

  • You agree to be vaccinated against COVID-19; and
  • You have arranged to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within 60 days of arriving in the United States, or as soon thereafter as is medically appropriate.

For more information about what each exception category has to attest to, see the attestationpdf icon.

A parent or other authorized person should attest on behalf of a passenger under 18 years old. An authorized person may attest on behalf of any passenger who is unable sign their own attestation (e.g., because they are too young, or because of physical or mental impairment). Children under 2 years of age do not need to complete an attestation. As required by United States federal law, all airlines or other aircraft operators will provide and collect the passenger attestation on behalf of the U.S. Government.

If you are a noncitizen nonimmigrant and are fully vaccinated, make sure your vaccine and proof of vaccination are acceptable to board a flight to the United States.

For additional information on recommendations and requirements before and during travel to the United States and after arriving in the United States, visit Non-U.S. citizen Non-U.S. immigrants: Air Travel to the United States

Accepted COVID-19 Vaccines

Accepted COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines Approved or Authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Vaccines Listed for Emergency Use (EUL) by the World Health Organization Certain Clinical Trial Vaccines which Have Confirmed Efficacy  
Single dose
  •  Janssen/J&J
  • Janssen/J&J
2-dose series
  • Pfizer-BioNTech
  • Moderna
  • Pfizer-BioNTech
  • Moderna
  • AstraZeneca
  • Covaxin
  • Covishield
  • BIBP/Sinopharm
  • Sinovac
  • Novavax/Covovax
  • Medicago

Acceptable Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination

Acceptable Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
Documentation Type Examples
Verifiable records (digital or paper) 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)
Non-verifiable paper records 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)
Non-verifiable digital records 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 code1

1. The QR code in a verifiable vaccination record links to information confirming the credential was generated from an immunization record in an official database and is protected from tampering.

All forms of proof of COVID-19 vaccination must have

  • Personal identifiers (full name plus at least one other identifier such as date of birth or passport number) that match the personal identifiers on the passenger’s passport or other travel documents
  • Name of official source issuing the record (e.g., public health agency, government agency, or other authorized vaccine provider)
  • Vaccine manufacturer and date(s) of vaccination

How the 14 days are calculated:

  • Your last dose must have been given a full 14 days before the day you board your flight to the United States.
  • You are considered fully vaccinated on the 14th day after the vaccination series was completed. For example, if your last dose was any time on October 1st, then October 15th would be the first day that you meet the 14-day requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are you looking for?

Overview

The requirements outlined in the Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order apply to anybody who is considered a noncitizen nonimmigrant and is traveling to the United States by air. These people are referred to in the Proclamation and the Amended Order as “Covered Individuals.

Covered Individuals include:

  • Any non-U.S. citizen seeking to enter the United States by air travel with a nonimmigrant visa listed in “Nonimmigrant Visa Categories” on the U.S. Department of State’s webpage Directory of Visa Categoriesexternal icon, as well as K nonimmigrant visa holders;
  • Any non-U.S. citizen seeking to enter the United States by air travel who has been granted an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) as part of the Visa Waiver Programexternal icon;
  • Any non-U.S. citizen seeking to enter the United States by air travel as a nonimmigrant under the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver Program; and
  • Any non-U.S. citizen otherwise seeking to enter the United States by air travel as a nonimmigrant in any other category exempt from the general requirement to present a nonimmigrant visa for admission (e.g., certain Canadian nationals).

No, U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and immigrants, are not Covered Individuals; therefore the Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order Implementing the Presidential Proclamation do not apply. See Immigrants and Other Non-affected Persons.

If you are a noncitizen who is a nonimmigrant and can show acceptable proof of vaccination with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine, and meet the definition of fully vaccinated, you meet the requirements under the Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order.

Yes, the Amended Order applies to any noncitizen nonimmigrant on a flight to the United States from a foreign country, regardless of whether the United States is the final destination or a connection to another country. (See also If I am connecting through the U.S. to another country, do I still need to get tested?)

Quarantine means to separate and restrict the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. Isolation means to separate sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

Children ages 2 through 17 years (minors) who are noncitizen nonimmigrants do not have to quarantine after arrival in the United States; however, the attestation requires that they get a COVID-19 viral test 3-5 days after arrival. If a child, like any other traveler, tests positive for COVID-19 or develops COVID-19 symptoms, they should isolate for a full 5 calendar days. They should also properly wear a well-fitting mask any time they must be around others during their full 5 day isolation period and for an additional 5 days after ending isolation.

No, if you are not a U.S. citizen and are not an immigrant, you are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. If you do not meet the requirements to be considered fully vaccinated, you will not be able to board your flight to the United States, unless you meet criteria for one of the exceptions.

No, the requirements of the Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order apply to air travel into the United States For information about COVID-19 requirements for land travel and ferry terminals, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals.external icon

Yes, at this time all noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers traveling to the United States, regardless of antibody status, are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

At this time, CDC’s Amended Order only requires that noncitizen nonimmigrants are fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.

CDC recommends that people stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines by getting booster shots when eligible. However, CDC’s Amended Order is keeping the requirement to only have to show proof of being fully vaccinated with a primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine at this time to board a flight to the United States.

While booster doses for COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration are widely available for those eligible in the United States, many other countries do not offer booster doses because of limits on available vaccines. Therefore, for the purpose of boarding a flight to the United States as a noncitizen nonimmigrant, being fully vaccinated will remain the only COVID-19 vaccination requirement at this time.

People are considered fully vaccinated for the purposes of traveling to the United States 2 weeks (14 days) after a dose of an accepted single-dose vaccine or 2 weeks (14 days) after the second dose of an accepted 2-dose vaccine series, regardless of prior COVID-19 disease history. If you have received both doses of an accepted 2-dose vaccine series, regardless of how long it has been between doses, you are considered fully vaccinated. This means if you received a single dose of an accepted 2-dose series and then a booster dose of an accepted vaccine, you would be considered fully vaccinated under CDC’s Amended Order because you have received two total doses. The second dose does not have to be the same vaccine as the first, but both doses must be one of the accepted vaccines for you to be considered fully vaccinated.

Yes, different formulations of COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use by WHO are accepted. Examples include:

  • Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., COMIRNATY, Tozinameran)
  • AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., Covishield, Vaxzevria)
  • Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Takeda, Spikevax)
  • Bharat Biotech International COVID-19 Vaccines (e.g., BBV152, COVAXIN)

Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to confirm proof of vaccination and review other required information and should determine when translation is necessary for these purposes. If your documents are in a language other than English, you should check with your airline or aircraft operator before travel.

Exceptions

Categories of noncitizen, nonimmigrants that meet the criteria for an exception under the proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order include:

  • Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel
  • Children under 18 years of age
  • Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials
  • Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception
  • Persons with valid visas [excluding B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas] who are citizens of a foreign country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability (See list effective as of April 14, 2022)
  • Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age)
  • Sea crew members traveling pursuant to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa
  • Persons whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, or Secretary of Homeland Security (or their designees)

If you are a noncitizen, nonimmigrant who does not fall under any of these exceptions, you must show proof of being fully vaccinated before boarding a flight to the United States.

No, there are no exceptions under the Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order for religious reasons or other moral convictions.

Certain categories of persons traveling to the United States for reasons related to official foreign government travel or because they have been invited by the United Nations are eligible for an exception under the Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order. These categories are

  • Any noncitizen seeking entry into or transiting the United States under 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)
  • Any noncitizen whose travel falls within the scope of Section 11 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement or other travel pursuant to U.S. legal obligation (as evidenced by a letter of invitation from the United Nations or other documentation showing the purpose of such travel).

You will need to show that you are traveling under one of the visas categories (listed above); or travel with an official letter, such as letter from the U.S. government or foreign government. If you have been invited by the United Nations, you will need a letter of invitation from the United Nations or other documentation showing the purpose of such travel.

You will also be required to complete the attestation, attesting to arranging to self-quarantine for 5 days after arrival in the United States except when you must attend official diplomatic or foreign government events or duties. You must also attest that you will get a viral test 3-5 days after arrival and will self-isolate if the results of the test are positive or if you develop COVID-19 symptoms.

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 (full name plus at least one other identifier such as date of birth or passport number) 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.

CDC has provided a list of qualifying COVID-19 vaccine candidates that meet CDC’s criteria for this exception. Check the list to see if the vaccine(s) used in the trial you participated in included.

You will need to show official documentation (e.g., clinical trial letter, participant card, or modified vaccination card) of clinical trial participation that includes the following information:

  • Documentation you participated in a phase 3 trial of with a qualifying COVID-19 vaccine candidate
  • Documentation you received the full series of an active (non-placebo) qualifying COVID-19 vaccine candidate or an EUL vaccine, with the name of the vaccine product and the date(s) received (showing it has been at least 2 weeks since you completed the series)
  • Personal identifiers in the clinical trial documentation (full name plus at least one other identifier such as date of birth or passport number) that match with your passport or other travel documentation.

CDC may grant a humanitarian or emergency exception in very limited circumstances only when an individual must travel to the United States to preserve health (e.g., emergency medical evacuations, life-saving medical treatment) or safety (e.g., violence) and is unable to become fully vaccinated before travel. Individuals who fit the exception criteria described in the Presidential Proclamation external icon and CDC’s Amended Order may contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in or nearest the country from which they are departing for the United States. The embassy will then transmit the information to the CDC for consideration.

Please review the procedures for applying for a humanitarian or emergency exception as listed on the webpage of the embassy or consulate where you will apply. This link will lead you to the relevant embassy or consulate: https://www.usembassy.govexternal icon

To facilitate the review of a humanitarian or emergency exception request, individuals should submit the following information to the embassy or consulate for transmission to the CDC. All information needs to be completed in full and in English for the request to be sent to CDC.

  • Name (family name/surname, given name)
  • Age
  • U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, Lawful Permanent Resident?
    • If no:
      • Nationality
      • Indicate Visa Type or if passenger has Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
  • Cell phone number (including country code) of passenger or head of household if family unit
  • Email address of passenger or head of household if family unit
  • US destination address
    • Is US destination home address?
  • Flight itinerary, including any connecting flights
    • Airline
    • Flight #
    • Departure airport and date of departure
    • Arrival airport and date of arrival
  • Vaccination Status
    • Fully Vaccinated
      • Name of vaccine product (or products if a combination)
      • Date of first dose
      • Date of second dose (if a two-dose series) PDF or photograph of vaccination record
    • NOT Fully Vaccinated
  • Purpose of travel to the US and a brief explanation of why urgent travel is needed
  • Justification for humanitarian or emergency exception to providing proof of being fully vaccinated (e.g., vaccine availability, passenger ineligible for vaccine at location, insufficient time to become fully vaccinated)
  • Documentation to support justification (e.g., medical records, orders for emergency evacuation)
  • Information regarding any other solutions that were sought prior to application (e.g., flight changes, testing en route, assistance in obtaining testing/vaccination, etc.)

You can find the list of countries with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability here: List of Foreign Countries with Limited COVID-19 Vaccine Availability

This list will be updated every three months. most recent update was April 14, 2022.

You will need to show

  • A passport or other proof of citizenship from a country on the list provided by CDC; AND
  • A valid nonimmigrant visa that is not a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visa.

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 uses vaccination coverage as a proxy indicator of vaccine availability. CDC realizes that vaccine availability might be limited by multiple factors, including limited access, service delivery issues, and low vaccine supply relative to demand.  CDC considers a country to have limited COVID-19 vaccine availability if less than 10% of the total population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with any vaccine, as reported in official source data in Our World in Dataexternal icon (OWID).

CDC reviews OWID country-level data on the proportion of a population that is fully vaccinated and updates the list of countries with limited vaccine availability every three months. If country data are missing from OWID, CDC reviews other official sources of information to determine a countries’ vaccination coverage (percent of the population fully vaccinated with available COVID-19 vaccines).

You will need to show a U.S. military identification document, such as a military ID or Common Access Card (CAC) or a DEERS ID Card, or other proof of status as a member or spouse or child (under 18 years of age) of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

You will need to show

  • Your C-1 and D visa; AND
  • An official letter from your employer (paper or digital) indicating your entry to or transit through the United States is required for the purpose of operating a vessel or return travel after disembarking the vessel consistent with your visa and official letter.

The requirements for testing and quarantine post-arrival by air conveyance apply to sea crew/mariners entering the United States as Covered Individuals who are:

  • not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and
  • without documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

Sea crew members boarding cruise ships that are participating in CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships must follow applicable guidance for testing and quarantine during and after embarking the cruise ship. If crew will not be immediately embarking the cruise ship, then they must follow the requirements of the attestation prior to embarking the ship.

Crew members of all other vessels are subject to the testing and self-quarantine requirements of the attestation as long as they remain in the United States, including U.S. waters.

Self-quarantine Requirements

  • Mariners who are embarking the ship the same day they arrive in the United States, must either:
    • Self-quarantine in a single-occupancy cabin with a private bathroom for 5 days after arriving in the United States or until the ship leaves U.S. waters, or
    • Maintain a “working” quarantine on board the ship for 5 days after arriving in the United States or until the ship leaves U.S. waters
    • Mariners who are not embarking the ship the day they arrive in the United States must self-quarantine in shoreside accommodations (i.e., a hotel room) for 5 days or until they board the ship.
      • Mariners who will board the ship before the 5-day self-quarantine period is completed must self-quarantine in their hotel until boarding the ship. Once onboard, these mariners must follow one of the self-quarantine options outlined above for the remainder of their quarantine period.

Testing Requirements

  • Mariners must get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after arrival in the U.S. if they remain in the United States, including U.S. waters, at that time. Non-cruise ship operators and mariners have several options to fulfill this requirement:
    • Crew can visit a shoreside testing facility (e.g., testing at a pharmacy or healthcare facility)
    • Operators can contract a 3rd party to preform testing onboard
    • Operators can provide crew with COVID-19 self-tests (sometimes referred to as home tests or at-home tests) or ask that crew embark the vessel with their own self-test.
      • CDC recommends that if self-tests are used, they should be conducted under supervision of tele-medicine personnel.

You will need to show an official U.S. Government letter (paper or digital) documenting approval of the exception.

Attestations

An attestation is a statement, writing, entry, or other representation subject to 18 U.S.C. § 1001 that confirms that the information provided is true. Willfully providing false or misleading information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment.

As required by United States federal law, all airlines or other aircraft operators will provide and collect the passenger attestation on behalf of the U.S. Government prior to boarding.

As required by United States federal law, all airlines or other aircraft operators will provide and collect the passenger attestation on behalf of the U.S. Government prior to boarding. Please check with the airline or aircraft operator for your flight to learn how the airline or aircraft operator will collect your attestation.

Noncitizen nonimmigrants that plan to take a connecting flight in the United States to another country may continue on their itinerary; however, they are still required to complete and sign the attestation in case their travel plans are changed or delayed. If they take their connecting flight and leave the United States, they are no longer subject to the requirements of the attestation.

Noncitizen nonimmigrants who are not fully vaccinated and meet an exception do not have to get a COVID-19 test if they are in the United States less than 3 days; however, they must self-quarantine until they leave the United States. They also must complete and sign the attestation in case their travel plans are changed or delayed. If they leave the United States less than 3 days after arrival, they are no longer subject to the requirements of the Amended Order and attestation.