How to Determine Your Testing Timeline for Returning to the U.S.

Travelers heading to the U.S. from international destinations are now required to obtain their mandatory COVID-19 test two days earlier than previously mandated, following the White House's decision to significantly reduce the testing window due to the coronavirus omicron variant.

Every traveler arriving in the U.S., regardless of their vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within one calendar day prior to their departure. This replaces the former guideline allowing vaccinated international travelers to submit a negative test taken within three days of their flight.

This new regulation will undoubtedly affect all travelers, who now need to be even more vigilant in securing a negative COVID-19 test before returning to the U.S. There’s a lot to consider, so here’s what you need to understand about pre-travel testing for flights to the U.S.

When is a negative test required to return to the U.S.?

Travelers arriving in the U.S. from international locations must present a viral test result from a sample taken no more than one calendar day before their flight departs from a foreign country, or from the first flight in a series of booked connections on the same itinerary. This test can be either a rapid antigen or a PCR test. This requirement applies to all travelers entering the U.S. from abroad (excluding U.S. territories), regardless of their citizenship or vaccination status.

How can I figure out my testing timeframe?

The regulation specifies that travelers' COVID-19 test specimens must be collected no more than one calendar day prior to the departure of their flight heading to the United States. As per the guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this applies to the departure of the U.S.-bound flight "or the first flight in a series of connections booked under the same itinerary."

This is particularly crucial if your travel plan includes an overnight layover with separate tickets, or if you have a longer stopover to visit another destination along your journey.

For example, if you're flying from Phuket (HKT) to New York (JFK) on January 4, with an overnight stop in Dubai (DXB) — and your flight from DXB to JFK is on a separate ticket departing on January 5 — you'll need to take a test in Thailand on January 4 to meet the one-calendar-day requirement for your U.S.-bound flight.

If you take your test on January 3, you'll need to obtain another negative COVID-19 test result before departing from Dubai, as you will fall outside the one-day window for your flight to the U.S.

What if I have a layover in the U.S.?

This new regulation also applies to travelers who are merely connecting through the U.S., regardless of whether the U.S. is their final destination or a stopover en route to another country.

What happens if my flight is delayed or canceled?

Given the current unpredictability in travel, the last thing anyone wants is a delayed or canceled flight, but it's wise to be prepared for such situations. The CDC guidelines don't specifically mention rebooked or canceled flights, but if you miss a connection and need to be rebooked for the next calendar day, you'll likely have to take another COVID-19 test if you've exceeded the testing window.

Should you encounter an unexpected overnight delay, it's important to promptly explore testing options—whether at the airport or at a nearby clinic. Ensure that the testing site can deliver results quickly enough, and confirm that the results will be provided in an acceptable printed or digital format.

How can I make sure I remain within the testing window?

The simplest way to adhere to the testing window is to carry an at-home test that offers remote supervision. Earlier this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that airlines could accept these at-home tests, which have gained significant popularity among travelers.

Several brands, such as Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Home Test, offer at-home or mail-in COVID-19 tests. However, only proctored (supervised) tests are permitted for entry into the U.S. As mentioned, these tests are quite popular, and while single boxes may be sold out online, two-packs and three-packs are still available (at the time of writing).

Ellume's COVID-19 Home Test is another alternative; however, be cautious as some of these kits have been recalled by the FDA. It's essential to verify that the kit you're purchasing isn't one of those affected.

These at-home tests can be quite expensive, but the White House has announced that private health insurers will soon fully reimburse the cost. Therefore, if you're worried about not getting a COVID-19 test on time (or if you exceed the testing window), consider packing a couple of at-home tests in your luggage—if you can find them.

When does the new policy take effect?

The order will take effect for flights departing at or after 12:01 a.m. EST (5:01 a.m. GMT) on Monday, December 6, 2021. This means any passenger on an international flight leaving after this date and time will be subject to the new regulations.

The CDC stated that it may exercise enforcement discretion "to adjust the scope of accepted pre-departure testing requirements to provide passengers and airline operators with more flexibility regarding these requirements." The agency noted that any enforcement changes would be announced on the CDC's website.

What if I'm crossing into the U.S. by land?

If you're entering the U.S. via the land borders with Canada or Mexico, you will not be required to present a negative test result.

What about young children?

All travelers aged 2 years and older must show proof of a negative test when entering the U.S. However, children aged 2 and under are exempt from this updated requirement, just as they were under the previous rule.