Does a non-U.S. citizen need to be vaccinated to enter the US during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Proof of Vaccination

Air Travel: All non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants traveling to the United States by air are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Only limited exceptions apply. Learn more about this requirement.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine required to travel to the US?

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.

Do I need to get a proof of being "fully vaccinated" against COVID-19 before I travel by air to the US from a foreign country?

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.

Can I fly in the US if I do not qualify for a COVID-19 innoculation?

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 Order.

Where can I apply for the humanitarian or emergency exception to travel to the United States?

Individuals who fit the exception criteria described in the Presidential Proclamation and CDCs 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.

Man with vaccine side-effect has message for unvaccinated

Do I qualify for an exception or can I apply for an exception to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement?

Categories of noncitizen, nonimmigrants that meet the criteria for an exception under the proclamation and CDC’s 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. 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)

What do I need to show the airlines if I have a medical contraindication to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine?

What do I need to show if I have a medical contraindication to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine? 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.

What documentation do I need to fly if I am a member of the U.S. Armed Forces during the COVID-19 pandemic?

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.

How much does the COVID-19 vaccine cost without insurance?

COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone ages 5 years and older at no cost. Vaccines were paid for with taxpayer dollars and will be given free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

Can I travel if I am not up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines and was exposed to COVID-19?

Do not travel until a full 5 days after your last close contact with the person with COVID-19. It is best to avoid travel for a full 10 days after your last exposure.

How do I transfer my proof of vaccination from another country to get a proof of vaccination card in the United States?

CDC does not keep vaccination records or determine how vaccination records are used. To update your records with vaccines you received while outside of the United States, you may:

• Contact the immunization information system (IIS) in your state. You can find state IIS information on the CDC website.
• Contact your healthcare provider or your local or state immunization program through your state’s health department.

The CDC-labeled white COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards are only issued to people vaccinated in the United States. CDC recommends you keep your documentation of being vaccinated in the other country as proof of vaccination. CDC also recommends checking with your primary care provider or state health department for options to document your vaccination status domestically.

What are the requirements for a noncitizen, nonimmigrant, to travel to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic?

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.

How do I know if I’ve been fully vaccinated if I was vaccinated in another country?

If you have received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or is listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), then you are considered to be fully vaccinated.

What are some exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine?

Some people may be at risk for an adverse reaction because of an allergy to one of the vaccine components or a medical condition. This is referred to as a medical exemption. Some people may decline vaccination because of a sincerely held religious belief. This is referred to as a religious exemption.

Can I board a flight to the US during COVID-19 based on my child's citizenship status if I am not a US citizen?

Will I be able to board a flight to the United States based on my child's citizenship status? 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.

Can the COVID-19 vaccine affect menstrual cycle?

At the end of the day, women should know this about the COVID vaccine's effect on the menstrual cycle: You may experience menstrual cycle irregularities after getting vaccinated. As of now, there is no indication that these changes will persist or threaten your health.

How much do COVID-19 vaccines cost?

COVID-19 Vaccines Are Free to Anyone in the United States COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone ages 5 years and older at no cost. Vaccines were paid for with taxpayer dollars and will be given free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of health insurance or immigration status.

Can I get a free COVID-19 vaccine in the United States?

Anyone in the United States Can Get Vaccinated. The federal government is providing vaccines free of charge to everyone 5 years and older living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. CDC does not require U.S. citizenship for individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

How much does a COVID-19 test cost?

The cost for testing should be covered by most insurance plans or through government-sponsored programs.

For private pay patients, please contact your health care provider for cost to administer a COVID-19 test.

Where can I buy a COVID-19 self-test?

Self-tests can also be purchased online or in pharmacies and retail stores and may be reimbursed through your health insurance. They are also available at no cost through some local health departments and Community Health Centers. For a list of authorized self-tests, see FDA EUA Testsexternal icon.

When was the COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid approved by the FDA?

FDA authorized Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) in December 2021 for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are also at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19

Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?

If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.

What are the medical contraindications for the COVID-19 vaccine?

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.

Is having a heart condition considered as high risk for COVID-19?

Having heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure (hypertension) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Are patients with hypertension at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?

Hypertension is more frequent with advancing age and among non-Hispanic blacks and people with other underlying medical conditions such as obesity and diabetes. At this time, people whose only underlying medical condition is hypertension might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.