Fully Vaccinated International Travelers Soon Re-Welcomed to U.S.

International travelers will soon be able to return to the United States, so long as they have received their COVID-19 vaccine. The Biden administration will once again open borders to foreign flyers starting sometime in November 2021.

Foreign travelers will soon be welcome back into the United States, provided they have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Reuters reports the White House will rescind border closings implemented by the Trump administration in 2020, opening the doors to flyers from 26 nations.

European Schengen Countries, Brazil, China and India to Reopen to Travelers

Under the plan forwarded by the Biden administration, travelers from 33 countries who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to enter the United States. The list of nations includes those in the Schengen area of Europe, Ireland, the United Kingdom, as well as China, Brazil, India, Iran and South Africa. Officials did not give an exact date they would be welcoming foreign travelers, only committing to a “early November” start date.

The move comes after the White House stated that it was not yet time to start considering opening borders, and over a year after much of Europe was cut off to inbound “non-essential” travel. To enter the United States, nearly all foreign travelers will need to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status – however, it is not clear how U.S. Customs and Border Protection will verify flyers.

Land borders could subsequently reopen before November 2021. During the same announcement, the current tourist travel closures with Canada and Mexico were extended until October 21, 2021. While Canada is welcoming inbound U.S. travelers with proof of vaccination, it is unclear if America will reciprocate the requirements.

Travel stakeholders across the country were quick to welcome the changes. In a statement, U.S. Travel Association president Roger Dow called the policy shift “a major turning point in the management of the virus and will accelerate the recovery of the millions of travel-related jobs that have been lost due to international travel restrictions.” The Air Line Pilots Association said in a statement the new requirements “will help ensure the safety and health of flight crews, passengers, and the public, and protect the aviation industry’s path to economic recovery.”

Unvaccinated Americans may still go abroad and return to the U.S. but will face higher scrutiny when they arrive. To re-enter the country, anyone not inoculated against COVID-19 will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken the day before return, along with a second viral test after arrival.

European Council Still Recommends Countries Close Borders to U.S. Travelers

While vaccinated foreign flyers will soon be accepted, Americans may not yet be able to fly across the Atlantic. The European Council recommended member nations close their borders to U.S.-based non-essential travelers on August 30, 2021 and may be moving towards stricter restrictions.