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
In my previous post, International students must bring proof of COVID test from 1/26, CDC’s new requirement for air passengers to bring proof of COVID test result was introduced. Based on the CDC guideline, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed the Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel that details requirements for domestic and international travelers. By reading this post, international students who travel to the USA can learn mask and COVID test requirements for international travelers.
Related blog post: The cheapest air flight & Fall 2021 immigration documents
Contents
Domestic Travel
If you are traveling inside the USA to go back to school, the proclamation tells you to wear masks all the time. Sec. 2. Immediate Action to Require Mask-Wearing on Certain Domestic Modes of Transportation. of the proclamation says it will require masks to be worn in compliance with CDC guidelines in or on:
- airports
- commercial aircraft;
- trains;
- public maritime vessels, including ferries;
- intercity bus services; and
- all forms of public transportation
As you might know already, quarantine and testing requirements might be different based on where are you traveling from and your travel destination. To check state and local recommendations on traveling, check out CDC’s Travel Planner webpage.
International travel
When it comes to international travel, the proclamation reiterated CDC’s new policy on carrying COVID test results for air passengers. Therefore, international students who travel to the USA need to keep in mind that they need to bring proof of COVID testing which was taken within 3 days prior to the departure date. This COVID testing requirement might be extended to land and sea travel based on this executive order.
What is more, through Sec. 5. International Travel. of the executive order, we can see that President is looking for ways to check self-quarantine or self-isolation compliance for international travelers. In the same light, President also mentioned the possibility of using ICVP (International Certificates of Vaccination or Prophylaxis). ICVP is commonly called a vaccine passport as it has details of vaccination and it can be shown to the government and airlines. It is possible that ICVP might be one of the required documents for all international students in the future as if current students have to submit immunization records to schools before they come to the campus.
- Policy
- required to produce proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test prior to entry; and
- required to comply with other applicable CDC guidelines concerning international travel, including recommended periods of self-quarantine or self-isolation after entry into the United States.
- Measures to prevent fraud: “how the Secretary and other Federal Government actors could implement the policy stated in subsection (a) of this section with respect to CDC-recommended periods of self-quarantine or self-isolation after a flight to the United States from a foreign country, as he deems appropriate and consistent with applicable law. The plan shall identify agencies’ tools and mechanisms to assist travelers in complying with such policy.”
- Land travel and sea travel: asked officials to provide plans to implement “appropriate public health measures at land/sea ports of entry”
- International Certificates of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP): “shall assess the feasibility of linking COVID-19 vaccination to International Certificates of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) and producing electronic versions of ICVPs. “
The bottoms line appears that international students need to bring COVID test results and wear masks all the time while traveling. In terms of the self-quarantine requirements, it is recommended to check CDC’s webpage or confirm with your school. To learn more about the valid COVID tests, click the following related blog post.
Related blog post: International students must bring proof of COVID test from 1/26
