Vaccine requirements for international travelers entering U.S. will end May 12

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  • Published on May 3, 2023
  • Last Updated June 8, 2023
  • In Passport

Beginning May 12, foreign travelers entering the U.S. will no longer need to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

As the world continues to shed requirements and mandates created as safeguards against the spread of COVID-19, another major one is being lifted.

AFAR reports that the U.S. will end all remaining COVID-19 travel requirements at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. According to a statement released by the White House on May 1, this date also marks the end of the government-designated COVID-19 public health emergency.

As a result of this decision, international travelers entering the United States will no longer have to provide proof of vaccination against coronavirus. The White House statement said that the vaccine requirements for international travelers were enacted “to slow the spread of new variants entering the country and to allow our healthcare system time to effectively manage access to care if faced with an increase in cases and hospitalizations.”

“We are now in a different phase of our response when these measures are no longer necessary,” the statement continued.

The Biden Administration declared that negative COVID-29 tests would be necessary for anyone – U.S. citizen or noncitizen – to enter the country in January 2021. This mandate was upheld until June 2022, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine requirement for foreign travelers – implemented in November 2021 – remained. Travel groups, such as the U.S. Travel Association, have called for the Biden Administration to eliminate the restrictions. The association stated that keeping the requirement in place was “putting at risk valuable visitor spending.” Lawmakers also pushed back against the policy, including Thomas Massie and Ken Calbert – Republican representatives from Kentucky and California, respectively – who introduced a bill in February to terminate the vaccine requirement.

Tori Barnes, EVP of public affairs and policy at the U.S. Travel Association told AFAR that the decision to repeal the requirement will make the U.S. an easier country for foreign travelers to visit, making “the country more competitive for tourism.” Barnes also noted that it will also result in more efficient entry into the U.S., in time for the busy travel season.

“Today’s action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward,” Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel Association president and chief executive, said in a statement. “However, the return of international visitors should be as efficient and secure as possible. The federal government must ensure U.S. airports and other ports of entry are appropriately staffed with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to meet the growing demand for entry.”

Although lifting the vaccine requirement is a step toward more efficient entry into the U.S., the current average wait time for first-time U.S. visitors to obtain a visa is more than a year, according to Barnes. This delay is slated to cost the country’s travel industry $7 billion this year. Wait times during customs control is also a point of concern.

“If folks are forced to wait two or three hours in line, they may think twice about returning here and they’re most certainly going to tell their friends and family about their experience,” Barnes said. “We’re calling on Congress to appropriate additional dollars to increase staffing at CBP.”

Prior to May 12, international travelers who aren’t fully vaccinated will still be unable to enter the U.S. Despite the U.S. joining the pack of countries that have done away with coronavirus-related entry requirements, some countries are still upholding their restrictions. AFAR reports that Kenya and Brazil, for example, still require travelers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative antigen test prior to entry.

Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazineand 5280 Magazinediscussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. When she’s not working on a story, Roshae enjoys cooking, watching and analyzing reality TV, and spending time with family and friends.

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