Thinking about traveling to the United States of America? Learn about the new rules here. Starting November 8, foreign adults who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter the United States. You will need to provide proof of vaccination and have a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 3 days before boarding: Find out more!

Those who were unable to travel will have a real relief on this date, and if they are fully vaccinated, arriving by air or land will replace a series of prohibitions or restrictions that were established until the beginning of the pandemic. However, this new rule will also replace other requirements, such as a mandatory quarantine.

Foreigners from other countries that were subject to restrictions, such as China, Iran, parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom and Ireland, South Africa, India and consequently Brazil, will soon have access to the US and under the new rules, which will be applied to all travelers who are international, as this requirement will come into effect on November 8.

The announcement has already been made by the White House and the new rules have not yet been fully disclosed. What is known and has already been issued is that a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 must be obtained up to 3 days before boarding and a health declaration form must be completed, in addition to an up-to-date passport and US visa.

Vaccines accepted for travel to the USA

The United States government has already declared that it will accept entry from international travelers who have taken the COVID-19 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the FDA, which is an authority considered equivalent to ANVISA or the National Health Surveillance Agency in the USA.

There is a caveat for these accepted vaccines and guidance, stating that the vaccine against COVID-19 can also be applied and that it was listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization or WHO, which in this case includes the vaccine called Oxford/Astrazeneca.

Among the vaccines that are approved for travel to the United States, which is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), we have Coronavac, which is a vaccine manufactured by the Chinese company Sinovac. In Brazil, it is produced and also distributed by the Butantan Institute, which is located in São Paulo.

Other vaccines are also authorized by the WHO and so far are the following: Pfizer/Biontech, Oxford/Astrazeneca, which in Brazil are manufactured by Fiocruz, in Rio de Janeiro, Janssen from Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm and Coronavac from the Butantan Institute.

The vaccination schedule

People who have completed their vaccination schedule, i.e. after two weeks, have received the second dose or the single dose, are considered fully vaccinated in the US. On the other hand, Americans who are not vaccinated will still be able to enter the United States, but will have to undergo more rigorous testing for air travel.

Requirements for unvaccinated Americans will be stricter, including testing within a day of flying to the U.S. and additional testing upon return. Vaccination certificates must be presented to an airline before boarding. Visas will still be required for Brazilian tourists.

Masks will not be abolished even with a complete vaccination schedule when traveling to the United States. The mask for this trip must cover the nose and mouth when traveling by plane, in addition to the mask being required in the US when using public transportation. 

Citizens who are US citizens and who are not vaccinated must be tested for COVID-19 one day before departure and again upon arrival. Testing will not be required for US citizens and for those entering via land borders.

Airlines have systems in place to collect information about the tests required of their passengers entering the United States, and they are already required to present a negative test result. The United States intends to have a smooth transition to the new system of reopening its flights.

Who will be banned from traveling to the US?

With the transition to these new rules in the US and the new international travel system, foreigners who have not been vaccinated are prohibited. However, travelers from countries not affected by the travel ban and who are currently allowed to fly to the US, between Mexico and Canada, will no longer be allowed to enter.

At land borders, for non-essential travel, such as tourism, and when visiting friends or family, the vaccination requirement goes into effect starting November 8. They should also be prepared to attest to their vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP or Customs and Border Protection officer.

Travelers for essential reasons, including truck drivers and students, will be able to continue crossing the U.S. border until early January, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not. The requirement for all foreigners crossing the border by land or ferry will come into effect in January. Follow our tips!