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.

U.S Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants: Travel to and from the United States

U.S Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants: Travel to and from the United States
What You Need to Know
  • Do not travel internationally until you are fully vaccinated.
  • Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation and travel requirements before traveling. Countries may have their own entry and exit requirements.
  • When you travel to the United States by air, you are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before you board your flight.
  • Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) traveling into, within, or out of the United States and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
Non-U.S. Citizen, Non-U.S. Immigrant

If you are a non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or immigrant) traveling to the United States, visit Non-U.S. citizen Non-U.S. immigrants: Travel to the United States for requirements before boarding a flight to the United States.

Do not travel internationally until you are fully vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself from severe disease, slow the spread of COVID-19, and reduce the number of new variants. CDC encourages you get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose if you are eligible. People who are not fully vaccinated should follow additional recommendations before, during, and after travel.

Are You Fully Vaccinated for 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. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

If you have a medical condition that weakens your immune system or are taking medication that weakens your immune system, you might NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions.

* 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.

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, find a COVID-19 vaccine.

Before You Travel Internationally

Make sure to plan ahead:

  • Check the current COVID-19 situation at your destination.
  • Follow all requirements of conveyance operators (such as airlines, cruise lines, buses) as well as any requirements at your destinationexternal icon, whether traveling by air, land, or sea, including mask wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine. Requirements may differ from U.S. requirements. If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States.
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Testing

   RECOMMENDED
  • If you are not fully vaccinated, get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip.

Do NOT travel if…

  • You are sick.
  • You tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t ended isolation.
    • After you end isolation, avoid travel until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date of your positive test if you had no symptoms.
    • If you must travel on days 6 through 10, properly wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others for the entire duration of travel. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel during days 6 through 10.
  • You had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and haven’t ended quarantine.
    • Get tested at least 5 days after your last close contact and make sure your test result is negative and you remain without symptoms before traveling. If you don’t get tested, delay travel until a full 10 days after your last close contact with a person with COVID-19.
    • If you must travel before the 10 days are completed, properly wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others for the entire duration of travel during the 10 days. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel during the 10 days.
  • You are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. If your test comes back positive while you are at your destination, you will need to isolate and postpone your return until it’s safe for you to end isolation. Your travel companions may need to quarantine.

During Travel

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Masks

   REQUIRED
  • Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including on airplanes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation) traveling into, within, or out of the United States and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports and stations). Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).
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Protect Yourself and Others

   RECOMMENDED
  • Follow all recommendations and requirements at your destinationexternal icon, including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet (2 meters) apart from anyone who did not travel with you.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Before Traveling to the United States

Land Travel

For information about COVID-19 requirements for land travel, 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 Terminalsexternal icon.

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Testing – ALL Travelers

   REQUIRED

Before boarding a flight to the United States, you are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel. There is also an option for people who have documented recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

Children under 2 years old do not need to test.

Learn more about these requirements.

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Contact Information – ALL Travelers

   REQUIRED

All air passengers to the United States will also be required to provide contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States. This strengthens a travel process already in place to rapidly identify and contact people in the U.S. who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. Access to travelers’ contact information will allow U.S. federal, state, and local health departments, and agencies to share appropriate health and public health information necessary to help keep the public safe.

After Arrival in the United States

You might have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels, whether you traveled by air, land, or sea. You might feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still be infected and spread the virus to others. For this reason, CDC recommends the following:

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ALL Travelers

   RECOMMENDED
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If You Are NOT Fully Vaccinated

   RECOMMENDED

In addition to the recommendations above

  • Stay home and self-quarantine for a full 5 days after travel.
If Your Test Result is Positive

Isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. Learn what to do and when it is safe to be around others.

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If You Recovered from COVID-19 Recently

If you recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days (regardless of vaccination status), you do NOT need to get a test 3-5 days after travel. People can continue to test positive for up to 90 days after diagnosis and not be infectious to others. You also do not need to self-quarantine after travel. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms after travel, isolate and consult with a healthcare provider for testing recommendations.