Travelers Still Required to Present a COVID Test for Entry into the U.S.

In January 2021, the Biden administration implemented a COVID testing requirement for all individuals entering the United States, regardless of vaccination status. Last December, in response to the surge in COVID cases driven by Omicron, this requirement was tightened, mandating a negative COVID test result within one day of departure instead of the previous three days.

International travelers may be curious about whether the testing requirement will ever be lifted, especially since countries like Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and Australia have eliminated their testing protocols for vaccinated visitors. Will the U.S. follow this trend? The White House's answer remains a firm “not yet.”

During a press briefing on May 3, when asked about potential changes to the U.S. international testing requirement, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki stated, “I’m not aware of a timeline for that.”

Her remarks came a month after Jeff Zients, former COVID-19 coordinator for President Biden, informed the media that “there are no current plans to alter the international travel requirements.”

This news may disappoint many travelers—60 percent express a desire for the removal of the COVID-19 testing requirement for incoming international travelers, based on a survey conducted by travel app TripIt from Concur. TripIt queried over 700 U.S.-based users last month and discovered that 44 percent would be more inclined to travel if the requirement were lifted.

On May 5, more than 250 travel businesses, including the largest hotel chains and major airlines, sent a letter to Dr. Ashish Jha, the new COVID-19 response coordinator for the White House, urging the administration to abolish the international testing requirement.

“We have now entered a new phase in the battle against COVID-19,” stated the letter, which contended that enhanced immunity from vaccines, boosters, and previous infections, along with effective treatments, have allowed Americans to safely return to work, school, and normal activities.

“These elements strongly advocate for the removal of the pre-departure testing mandate for vaccinated international air travelers,” the letter noted. It emphasized that the economic impact of sustaining the testing requirement is “significant,” with business travel expenditures still 56 percent lower than 2019 levels and international travel spending down a “staggering” 78 percent compared to 2019.

For the time being, all international arrivals, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative COVID test result (via PCR, antigen, or approved home or self tests) taken no more than one calendar day prior to flying to the United States. Additionally, all foreign nationals entering the U.S. must be vaccinated.

This article was first published on April 6, 2022, and has been revised to reflect the latest information.