U.S. Ends Covid-based Travel Restriction for Noncitizens

As of May 12, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, the CDC's order implementing the Presidential Proclamation on the safe resumption of global travel during COVID-19 has ended. This means that from this time and date, international travelers who are not U.S. citizens no longer need to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to board a flight to the United States.

Back in February, the U.S. House of Representatives decided to end the vaccination requirement for most foreign air passengers. This was one of the remaining travel restrictions related to the pandemic. The decision was finalized with a 227 to 201 vote, with seven Democrats siding with Republicans, and no Republican opposition.

Despite this change, the Biden administration maintained the vaccination requirement from the CDC for most foreign travelers, although they no longer require a negative COVID test for people flying into the U.S.

The White House had previously voiced opposition to this change, arguing that the vaccine requirement enabled international family reunions while also reducing COVID-19 spread and relieving U.S. healthcare systems. It was still unclear at this point if the Senate would discuss this bill.

On May 11, the White House declared an end to the public health emergency related to COVID. The White House has said, "As we approach the end of the public health emergency, the administration will review all relevant policies, including this one."

In response to these changes, the U.S. Travel Association noted, "the need for this requirement has long since passed, and we appreciate the bipartisan action by the U.S. House to end this outdated policy ... The U.S. is the only country that has maintained this policy."