International students must bring proof of COVID test from 1/26

Update 11/3/2021: Nonimmigrant individuals who travel by air should be fully vaccinated from November 8, 2021. Please read the following article for the most recent update: 2022 vaccine requirements and electronic I-20 for internationals

Summary: CDC has made the order that requests all international travelers flying into the United States to carry proof of COVID negative test result or documentation of recovery from 1/26/2021. Thus, international students who plan to come to the U.S. on and after 1/26 must bring proof of the COVID19 test.

On January 12, 2021, CDC issued an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.

Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States

CDC (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) announced that COVID-19 testing will be required for all air passengers who fly into the United States from January 26th, 2021. Thus, this order will impact all international students who plan to take the flight on and after 1/26 to attend the school for Spring 2021 intake. This blog post reorganized the CDC’s webpage titled Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States for international students to have a better understanding of COVID testing requirement.

Related blog post: The cheapest air flight & Fall 2021 immigration documents

Contents

1. Who are subject to this order?
2. Can nationals from travel ban countries enter with a negative test?
3. When and what kind of test should I get?
4. Should I get a test even though I got vaccinated?
5. Who will be in charge of making sure passengers have the required documentation? What if I don’t provide the required documents?
6. What if I get tested positive?
7. Should I retake the test upon arrival in the United States?

Who are subject to this order?

All air passengers, 2 years of age or older, including citizens and lawful permanent residents who fly into the United States.

What about air passengers who stop over at the U.S.?

This order applies to air passengers who stop over at the United States as well.

Can nationals from travel ban countries enter with a negative test?

Per Presidential Proclamation, if you have been to one of the countries in this list during the past 14 days, you may not enter the United States with some exceptions (Students are exempted) although you have a negative test result: Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States

When and what kind of test should I get?

All passengers should get tested 3 days prior to the departure date. “A verifiable test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy) of a laboratory test result. Testing must be performed using a viral test (NAAT or antigen), and negative results must be provided to the airline prior to boarding.”

CDC requires the document to include a personal identifier, collection date (test date), and the type of the test.

What if I recently recovered from the COVID-19?

“CDC does not recommend getting tested again in the three months after a positive viral test, as long as you do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have had a positive viral test in the past 3 months, and you have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel instead with documentation of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as “documentation of recovery.””

What if my flight gets delayed, thus, I fail to meet the “3-day limit” requirement?

If your flight gets delayed before you depart your country, you should get re-tested to meet the “3-day limit” requirement. Again, negative test results must show that the test was done 3 days prior to the departure date. In terms of the positive test results, the test should be done within 3 months from the travel date.

What if I have connecting flights before arriving in the U.S.?

If the traveler takes more than one connecting flights, the test could be done 3 days prior to the first flight departure date given that:

• the final destination is the United States; AND
• all flights are book under the single passenger; AND
• each connection (layover) is less than 24 hours.

If the travelers’ itinerary doesn’t meet the aforementioned requirements, he or she should get re-tested within 3 days from the arrival to the U.S. date.

Should I get a test even though I got vaccinated?

Yes, regardless of the vaccination status, all passengers who fly into the United States must show that they are tested negative or provide documentation of recovery.

Who will be in charge of making sure passengers have the required documentation? What if I don’t provide the required documents?

The airline will require you to provide the required documents-proof of a negative test result or documentary of recovery-before boarding.

What if I get tested positive?

When you get tested positive, you should self-isolate your self and delay your travel until you fully recover from the COVID-19. It will be protocol for airlines to refuse any traveler with positive test result.

Should I retake the test upon arrival in the United States?

“CDC recommends that travelers get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home or otherwise self-quarantine for 7 days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 10 days. Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.”

This blog post summarized CDC’s new order regarding the proof of a negative COVID test result or documentary of recovery for all air passengers. Hope this helps international students to understand what they need to prepare regarding the COVID test before their travel to the United States.