Vaccination & Testing Requirements for Air-Travel to U.S.

Vaccination

International travelers by air to the U.S. are no longer required to present proof of full vaccination with an acceptable COVID-19 vaccine as of May 12, 2023.

COVID-19 TESTING

Air travelers to the United States no longer need to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery before boarding, as annouced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Current U.S. Travel Restrictions Tied to COVID-19

Pandemic-related regional travel restrictions: 

  • There are currently no geographic COVID-19 entry ban proclamations in effect.
  • Canada and Mexico (land borders only)

Current U.S. visa issuance updates

December 21, 2023, the US Department of State (DOS)  announced Important Update on Waivers of the Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants, an update to previously issued visa interview waiver guidance.  In the announcement, DOS stated that as of January 1, 2024, consular officers will have discretion to waive in-person interviews for:

  • First time H-2 visa applicants (temporary agricultural and nonagricultural workers) and
  • Other nonimmigrant visa applicants applying for any nonimmigrant visa classification who:
    • Were previously issued a nonimmigrant visa in any classification, unless the only prior issued visa was a B visa; and
    • Are applying within 48 months of their most recent nonimmigrant visa’s expiration date.

To be eligible for an interview waiver, applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that they:

  • apply in their country of nationality or residence.
  • have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived).
  • have no apparent or potential ineligibility.

Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis or because of local conditions. DOS encourages applicants to check embassy and consulate websites.

 

October 2023: Due to the ongoing security situation, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and the Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv are not offering nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services at this time.  If you have an emergency need to travel to the United States and do not currently have a nonimmigrant visa, please apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate other than Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.  Consular sections at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide can assist with expedited appointments for emergency travel.  Please make an appointment and request an expedited appointment in that country.
 

Announcement of Processing Posts for Visa Applicants from Ukraine: Ukrainian immigrant visas (IVs) other than adoption cases will be processed at Consulate General Frankfurt, including Diversity Visa (DV) and Fianc(é)e (K-1) visas. The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw will process Ukrainian adoption cases as well as A and G diplomatic and official visas. Contact KyivIV@state.gov for questions about Ukrainian immigrant and fianc(é)e visa cases. Nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications may be processed wherever a Ukrainian applicant is physically located and can schedule an appointment. Interested applicants should follow instructions on the respective Embassy website to apply for an NIV. Please find a list of Embassy websites here: https://www.usembassy.gov.