US entry during COVID-19
Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, entry requirements for the USA have changed frequently. Learn about the current status and how entry into the USA works right now.
US travel regulations
Over the course of the Corona pandemic, the US first had widespread entry bans on international travelers, then mandatory comprehensive testing for all, and finally mandatory vaccination for nearly all travelers, which has since been eliminated.
Meanwhile, entering the United States is possible again for all nationalities unvaccinated and without corona testing. However, if necessary, selective testing obligations for travelers from certain "COVID hotspots" (such as most recently from China and the Chinese special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau) can be initiated anytime.
Who is currently allowed to travel to the USA?
International travelers with a valid ESTA or visa are generally allowed to enter the United States. The ESTA application for visa-free travel remains unchanged despite COVID-19 and continues to provide you with faster, cheaper, and less complicated entry into the United States.
What vaccinations do I need for the USA?
In May 2023, the COVID vaccination requirement for international travelers to the United States was lifted. However, even before the end of the vaccination requirement, there were exemptions for certain travelers. These included Green Card holders and US citizens, among others.
COVID positive? These are your obligations in the USA!
If you find out during your trip to the USA that you have COVID, isolate yourself as soon as possible. Also, follow the CDC’s recommendations below:
- Stay home (or in your hotel room) and keep away from others as much as possible.
- If possible, use a separate bathroom
- Wear a quality mask if you cannot avoid human contact.
- Don't travel.
- Don't share personal household items, such as cups, towels, and dishes.
- Monitor your symptoms and seek emergency medical attention immediately if you have any severe symptoms (e.g., trouble breathing).
- Wearing a mask is recommended until day 10.
US immigration and COVID FAQ
Do you have more questions about traveling to the US during the COVID-19 pandemic? Then you will surely find what you are looking for in our FAQ:
Can I travel to the USA if I have COVID-19?
If you currently have COVID-19, you may need to be isolated under your home country's current Corona regulations. You should not enter the United States with an infection.
Can I apply for an ESTA if I have COVID-19?
If you are COVID-19 positive, you should wait with your ESTA application because the ESTA security questions about your health condition include (amongst active tuberculosis, cholera, plague, smallpox, yellow fever, diphtheria, infectious leprosy, gonorrhea, and viral hemorrhagic fever) the following diseases:
- "severe acute respiratory diseases that can be transmitted to other people and lead to death"
The legal position is not clear here, because the COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving. However, you must not lie in an ESTA application because otherwise, you risk your entry and exclusion from the ESTA system. Therefore, we advise against submitting an ESTA application if you have an acute COVID illness.
What are the current entry requirements for the USA?
You can find the current regulations for entering and bringing things to the USA under entry requirements for the United States.
Important
The US government reserves the right to change regulations and fees on the fly without notice. Therefore, find out whether there are recent innovations shortly before a trip to the USA (e.g., on the website of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.)