us international travel requirements 2022

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Fact Sheets

Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S.

Updated Date: April 21, 2022

Since January 22, 2022, DHS has required non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon request.  On April 21, 2022, DHS announced that it would extend these requirements. In determining whether and when to rescind this order, DHS anticipates that it will take account of whether the vaccination requirement for non-U.S. air travelers remains in place.

These requirements apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for essential or non-essential reasons. They do not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.

Effective November 8, 2021, new air travel requirements applied to many noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily. These travelers are also required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. All air travelers, including U.S. persons, must test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure. Limited exceptions apply. See  CDC guidance  for more details regarding air travel requirements.

Below is more information about what to know before you go, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about cross-border travel.

Entering the U.S. Through a Land Port of Entry or Ferry Terminal

Q. what are the requirements for travelers entering the united states through land poes.

A:  Before embarking on a trip to the United States, non-U.S. travelers should be prepared for the following:

• Possess proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the  CDC  website.
• During border inspection, verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status. 
• Bring a  Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative  compliant border crossing document, such as a valid passport (and visa if required), Trusted Traveler Program card, a Department of State-issued Border Crossing Card, Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Tribal Card when entering the country. Travelers (including U.S. citizens) should be prepared to present the WHTI-compliant document and any other documents requested by the CBP officer.

 Q. What are the requirements to enter the United States for children under the age of 18 who can't be vaccinated?

A:  Children under 18 years of age are excepted from the vaccination requirement at land and ferry POEs.

Q: Which vaccines/combination of vaccines will be accepted?

A:  Per CDC guidelines, all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized vaccines, as well as all vaccines that have an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO), will be accepted.

Accepted Vaccines:

• More details are available in CDC guidance  here .
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose COVID-19 vaccine;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

Q. Is the United States requiring travelers to have a booster dose to be considered fully vaccinated for border entry purposes?

A:  No. The CDC guidance for “full vaccination” can be found here.

Q: Do U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land POEs and ferry terminals?

A:  No. Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation.

Q: Is pre- or at-arrival COVID testing required to enter the United States via land POEs or ferry terminals?

A: No, there is no COVID testing requirement to enter the United States via land POE or ferry terminals. In this respect, the requirement for entering by a land POE or ferry terminal differs from arrival via air, where there is a requirement to have a negative test result before departure.

Processing Changes Announced on January 22, 2022 

Q: new changes were recently announced. what changed on january 22.

A:  Since January 22, 2022, non-citizens who are not U.S. nationals or Lawful Permanent Residents have been required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States at land ports of entry and ferry terminals, whether for essential or nonessential purposes. Previously, DHS required that non-U.S. persons be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States for nonessential purposes.  Effective January 22, all non-U.S. individuals, to include essential travelers, must be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request. DHS announced an extension of this policy on April 21, 2022.

Q: Who is affected by the changes announced on January 22?

A: This requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. It applies to other noncitizens, such as a citizen of Mexico, Canada, or any other country seeking to enter the United States through a land port of entry or ferry terminal.

Q: Do U.S. citizens need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land port of entry or ferry terminals?

A: Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation. 

Q: What is essential travel?

A:  Under the prior policy, there was an exception from temporary travel restrictions for “essential travel.” Essential travel included travel to attend educational institutions, travel to work in the United States, travel for emergency response and public health purposes, and travel for lawful cross-border trade (e.g., commercial truckers). Under current policy, there is no exception for essential travel.

Q: Will there be any exemptions? 

A: While most non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States will need to be vaccinated, there is a narrow list of exemptions consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order in the air travel context.

• Certain categories of individuals on diplomatic or official foreign government travel as specified in the CDC Order
• Children under 18 years of age;
• Certain participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials as specified in the CDC Order;   
• Individuals with medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as specified in the CDC Order;
• Individuals issued a humanitarian or emergency exception by the Secretary of Homeland Security;
• Individuals with valid nonimmigrant visas (excluding B-1 [business] or B-2 [tourism] visas) who are citizens of a country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability, as specified in the CDC Order
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age) as specified in the CDC Order; and
• Individuals whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Q: What documentation will be required to show vaccination status?

A:  Non-U.S. individuals are required to be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request regardless of the purpose of travel.

The current documentation requirement remains the same and is available on the CDC website . Documentation requirements for entry at land ports of entry and ferry terminals mirror those for entry by air.

Q: What happens if someone doesn’t have proof of vaccine status?

A: If non-U.S. individuals cannot present proof of vaccination upon request, they will not be admitted into the United States and will either be subject to removal or be allowed to withdraw their application for entry.

Q: Will incoming travelers be required to present COVID-19 test results?

A: There is no COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers at land border ports of entry, including ferry terminals.

Q: What does this mean for those who can't be vaccinated, either due to age or other health considerations? 

A: See CDC guidance for additional information on this topic. Note that the vaccine requirement does not apply to children under 18 years of age.

Q: Does this requirement apply to amateur and professional athletes?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions.

Q: Are commercial truckers required to be vaccinated?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions. These requirements also apply to bus drivers as well as rail and ferry operators.

Q. Do you expect border wait times to increase?

A:  As travelers navigate these new travel requirements, wait times may increase. Travelers should account for the possibility of longer than normal wait times and lines at U.S. land border crossings when planning their trip and are kindly encouraged to exercise patience.

To help reduce wait times and long lines, travelers can take advantage of innovative technology, such as facial biometrics and the CBP OneTM mobile application, which serves as a single portal for individuals to access CBP mobile applications and services.

Q: How is Customs and Border Protection staffing the ports of entry? 

A: CBP’s current staffing levels at ports of entry throughout the United States are commensurate with pre-pandemic levels. CBP has continued to hire and train new employees throughout the pandemic. CBP expects some travelers to be non-compliant with the proof of vaccination requirements, which may at times lead to an increase in border wait times. Although trade and travel facilitation remain a priority, we cannot compromise national security, which is our primary mission. CBP Office of Field Operations will continue to dedicate its finite resources to the processing of arriving traffic with emphasis on trade facilitation to ensure economic recovery.

Q: What happens if a vaccinated individual is traveling with an unvaccinated individual?  

A:  The unvaccinated individual (if 18 or over) would not be eligible for admission.

Q: If I am traveling for an essential reason but am not vaccinated can I still enter?

A:  No, if you are a non-U.S. individual. The policy announced on January 22, 2022 applies to both essential and non-essential travel by non-U.S. individual travelers. Since January 22, DHS has required that all inbound non-U.S. individuals crossing U.S. land or ferry POEs – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request.

Q: Are sea crew members on vessels required to have a COVID vaccine to disembark?

A:  Sea crew members traveling pursuant to a C-1 or D nonimmigrant visa are not excepted from COVID-19 vaccine requirements at the land border. This is a difference from the international air transportation context.

Entering the U.S. via Air Travel

Q: what are the covid vaccination requirements for air passengers to the united states  .

A:  According to CDC requirements [www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html | Link no longer valid], most noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily must be fully vaccinated prior to boarding a flight to the United States. These travelers are required to show proof of vaccination. A list of covered individuals is available on the CDC website.  

Q: What are the COVID testing requirements for air passengers to the United States?  

A:  Effective Sunday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. ET, CDC will no longer require pre-departure COVID-19 testing for U.S.-bound air travelers.

• Border Security
• Transportation Security
• Airport Security
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Mobile Menu Overlay

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Releases Additional Detail for Implementing a Safer, More Stringent International Air Travel   System

As we continue to work to protect people from COVID-19, today, the Biden Administration is releasing additional detail around implementation of the new international air travel policy requiring foreign national travelers to the United States to be fully vaccinated. This updated policy puts in place an international travel system that is stringent, consistent across the globe, and guided by public health. Starting on November 8, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the U.S., with only limited exceptions. The updated travel guidelines also include new protocols around testing. To further strengthen protections, unvaccinated travelers – whether U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), or the small number of excepted unvaccinated foreign nationals – will now need to test within one day of departure. Today, the Administration is releasing the following documents to implement these requirements: 1) a Presidential Proclamation to Advance the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic; 2) three Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention (CDC) Orders on vaccination, testing, and contact tracing; and 3) technical instructions to provide implementation details to the airlines and their passengers.  With science and public health as our guide, the United States has developed a new international air travel system that both enhances the safety of Americans here at home and enhances the safety of international air travel. The additional detail released today provides airlines and international air travelers with time to prepare for this new policy ahead of the November 8 implementation date. As previously announced, fully vaccinated foreign nationals will also be able to travel across the Northern and Southwest land borders for non-essential reasons, such as tourism, starting on November 8. Additional detail on amendments to restrictions with respect to land borders will be available in the coming days. Travelers can find full details about today’s air travel announcement on the CDC and Department of State websites.  A summary is below: Fully Vaccinated Status:

• Starting on November 8, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the U.S.

Proof of Vaccination:

• For foreign nationals, proof of vaccination will be required – with very limited exceptions – to board the plane.
• Match the name and date of birth to confirm the passenger is the same person reflected on the proof of vaccination;
• Determine that the record was issued by an official source (e.g., public health agency, government agency) in the country where the vaccine was given;
• Review the essential information for determining if the passenger meets CDC’s definition for fully vaccinated such as vaccine product, number of vaccine doses received, date(s) of administration, site (e.g., vaccination clinic, health care facility) of vaccination.
• The Biden Administration will work closely with the airlines to ensure that these new requirements are implemented successfully.

Accepted Vaccines:

• CDC has determined that for purposes of travel to the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use listed (EUL) vaccines.
• Individuals can be considered fully vaccinated ≥2 weeks after receipt of the last dose if they have received any single dose of an FDA approved/authorized or WHO EUL approved single-dose series (i.e., Janssen), or any combination of two doses of an FDA approved/authorized or WHO emergency use listed COVID-19 two-dose series (i.e. mixing and matching).
• More details are available in the CDC Annex here .

Enhanced Testing:

• Previously, all travelers were required to produce a negative viral test result within three days of travel to the United States.
• Both nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), such as a PCR test, and antigen tests qualify.
• As announced in September, the new system tightens those requirements, so that unvaccinated U.S. Citizens and LPRs will need to provide a negative test taken within one day of traveling.
• That means that all fully vaccinated U.S. Citizens and LPRs traveling to the United States should be prepared to present documentation of their vaccination status alongside their negative test result.
• For those Americans who can show they are fully vaccinated, the same requirement currently in place will apply – they have to produce a negative test result within three days of travel.
• For anyone traveling to the United States who cannot demonstrate proof of full vaccination, they will have to produce documentation of a negative test within one day of departure.

Requirements for Children:

• Children under 18 are excepted from the vaccination requirement for foreign national travelers, given both the ineligibility of some younger children for vaccination, as well as the global variability in access to vaccination for older children who are eligible to be vaccinated.
• Children between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure test.
• If traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, an unvaccinated child can test three days prior to departure (consistent with the timeline for fully vaccinated adults). If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, they will have to test within one day of departure.

Limited Exceptions from the Vaccination Requirement:

• There are a very limited set of exceptions from the vaccination requirement for foreign nationals. These include exceptions for children under 18, certain COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants, those with medical contraindications to the vaccines, those who need to travel for emergency or humanitarian reasons (with a US government-issued letter affirming the urgent need to travel), those who are traveling on non-tourist visas from countries with low-vaccine availability (as determined by the CDC), and other very narrow categories.
• Those who receive an exception will generally be required to attest they will comply with applicable public health requirements, including, with very limited exceptions, a requirement that they be vaccinated in the U.S. if they intend to stay here for more than 60 days.

Contact Tracing:

• The CDC is also issuing a Contact Tracing Order that requires all airlines flying into the United States to keep on hand – and promptly turn over to the CDC, when needed – contact information that will allow public health officials to follow up with inbound air travelers who are potentially infected or have been exposed to someone who is infected.
• This is a critical public health measure both to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of new variants of COVID-19 as well as to add a critical prevention tool to address other public health threats.

Stay Connected

We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better.

Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden.

An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Updated International Air Travel COVID-19 Policy

⚠   The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency expired as of May 11, 2023. This site will no longer be updated and will remain online for historical purposes only.

For current COVID-19 guidance, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .

International travel is critical to connecting families and friends, to fueling small and large businesses, and to promoting the open exchange of ideas and culture. The international air travel policy follows the science and both enhances the safety of Americans here at home and the safety of international air travel.

Testing Requirement

On March 10, 2023, CDC  removed  the requirement for air passengers from China, Hong Kong or Macau to show a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery before boarding a flight to the United States.

Vaccination Requirement

As of 12:01am EDT on May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. See  here  for more information.

While masks are no longer required on flights, The CDC still recommends wearing them. 

From vaccines to testing: What travelers need to know before the new US travel system on Nov. 8

• The U.S. is launching a new travel system on Nov. 8.
• Vaccinated foreign air travelers will need to show proof of full vaccination and test for COVID-19.
• The new travel system also adds more stringent testing requirements for unvaccinated U.S. travelers.

The United States is about to make it much easier for vaccinated international travelers to visit.  

The White House announced that a new air travel system will take effect Nov. 8, allowing entry for fully vaccinated foreign tourists .  The system is set to launch nearly two years after the U.S. began imposing travel restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 . 

The move by the White House will essentially have the U.S. drop its travel ban on dozens of countries while also making entry more challenging for the unvaccinated. The new system will allow entry for foreign nationals only with vaccinations approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization and would add testing requirements for unvaccinated Americans.

Here’s what we know about the new travel requirements:

What are the entry requirements for foreign nationals?

Starting Nov. 8, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers   will need to show proof of full vaccination as well as a pre-departure negative coronavirus test taken within three days of travel before they can board a plane to the U.S. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Acceptable forms of proof of vaccination include:

• Digital or paper verifiable record, such as a vaccination certificate or a digital pass with a QR code.  
• Nonverifiable paper record, such as a printout of a COVID-19 vaccination record or COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
• Nonverifiable digital record, such as a digital photo of a vaccination card or record, downloaded vaccine record, downloaded vaccination certificate or a mobile phone application without a QR code.  

The U.S. will accept nucleic acid amplification tests, including PCR tests, and antigen tests. The rules will go into effect for passengers on planes leaving for the U.S. at or after 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov. 8.  

Airlines will collect basic personal contact information   from all U.S.-bound travelers for contact tracing. Airlines are required to keep the information on hand so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   can reach out to travelers who may have been infected or exposed to COVID-19.

Masking will be required, but there will be no quarantine mandate for vaccinated travelers or unvaccinated children .

► US  travel bans: How COVID-19 travel restrictions have impacted families and couples

The change will make entering the U.S. possible for travelers from countries now listed on the U.S. travel ban, which prohibits entry for travelers who have been in any of the regions within the past 14 days. The travel ban  took effect in early 2020 and includes :

• United Kingdom
• Republic of Ireland
• South Africa
• The European Schengen area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City)

Currently, the U.S. asks international air passengers only to get tested within three days of their flight to the U.S. and show either the negative test result or proof of recovery  from COVID-19 before boarding. 

What about the land borders with Mexico and Canada?

New travel rules will also take effect for foreign nationals arriving by land or passenger ferry.

Starting Nov. 8, fully vaccinated foreign nationals can cross the land borders for nonessential reasons such as tourism or visiting friends and family . These travelers will need to verbally attest to their reason for travel and vaccination status and be prepared to show proof of vaccination  upon request. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will accept both digital and paper records showing proof of vaccination, including documents not in English.   Foreign nationals will also need appropriate travel documentation to enter the country.  

CBP will spot-check travelers' vaccination documents, and those without documented proof of vaccination can be denied entry. Travelers under 18 will be exempt from the vaccination requirement as long as they are traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, according to Matthew Davies, CBP's executive director of admissibility and passenger programs.  

The new travel rules will go into effect as soon as a port of entry opens on Nov. 8, or at midnight for ports that operate 24 hours a day changes will go into effect at midnight on Nov. 8 for ports that operation 24 hours a day.  

U.S. citizens reentering the country should also bring a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative document, such as a valid passport, trusted traveler program card, enhanced driver's license or enhanced tribal card. 

Entry rules along the border will change again in early January, with all travelers – including those traveling for essential purposes – required to show proof of full vaccination. 

► US land borders: Travelers in Mexico and Canada plan their next US visit after new land border policy announced

Which vaccines does the US accept for travel?

The CDC has announced that vaccines approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and World Health Organization will be accepted for air travel. White House officials expect the CDC to approve the same vaccines for travelers entering the U.S. by land or ferry.  

The FDA has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use during the pandemic: Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer-BioNTech, the last of which has received the FDA's full stamp of approval.

Vaccines with WHO approval for emergency use include:

• Johnson & Johnson
• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield 

The CDC confirmed that it would accept a mix-and-match approach to vaccinations. Travelers who have any combination of FDA- or WHO-approved vaccines will be considered fully vaccinated.

The new travel policy does not accept foreign travelers who have had COVID and received just one shot in a two-dose series. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that the administration will "continue to review" its entry requirements.  

► Covaxin gets WHO emergency approval: Travelers vaccinated with Covaxin can enter US   

► 'You feel lonely and left out': These fully vaccinated travelers want to visit the US. They may not be allowed in.

How do the new rules affect kids? 

Foreign nationals under 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirement. Children under two will not need to take a pre-departure COVID test.

Kids 2 and older traveling with a fully vaccinated adult can test three days prior to departure, while children traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults will need to get tested within one day of departure. 

Currently, all air passengers 2 or older, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents, need to show a negative coronavirus test to fly to the U.S.

What are the entry requirements for Americans?

The new travel system adds more stringent testing requirements for unvaccinated U.S. travelers.

Starting Nov. 8, unvaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents will need to take a test one day before departure and test again upon arrival in the U.S. 

► New travel rules: What US travelers need to know about the new COVID rules for international flights

Entry requirements will not change for vaccinated Americans. They will still need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than three days before departure. 

Americans will not need to be fully vaccinated to board international flights to the U.S.

Are there any exemptions?

There is a limited set of travelers who are exempt from the vaccine requirement for entry.

Children under 18, certain COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants and travelers with adverse reactions to the vaccines – such as people who have had severe anaphylactic allergic reactions to a prior COVID-19 vaccine –  will be exempt.

People traveling on non-tourist visas from countries with less than 10% of its population vaccinated who need to enter the U.S. for emergency or humanitarian reasons are also exempt from the vaccine requirement. There are about 50 countries considered to have low vaccine availability at this time.

These exempt travelers will generally need to show that they will comply with public health mandates, including a requirement to be vaccinated in the U.S. if they plan to stay more than 60 days.  

Unless they have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 90 days, unvaccinated travelers  must agree to be tested with a COVID-19 viral test three to five days after their arrival and quarantine for seven days, even if their post-arrival test comes back negative. 

Unvaccinated travelers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must also agree to self-isolate if their post-arrival test is positive or if they develop COVID-19 symptoms. 

Unvaccinated children under 18 will not need to quarantine but will still need to take a post-arrival test. 

► Who is exempt?: These select groups of unvaccinated foreign travelers can enter the US

The CDC will not give exemptions  to people who object to the vaccinations due to religious or moral convictions. 

There will also be testing accommodations for travelers who can prove they recently recovered from the coronavirus. These travelers will need to show a positive COVID-19 viral test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before their flight's departure and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or public health official saying they are cleared for travel.  

Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz . 

The Latest on U.S. Travel Restrictions

By Lauren Hard Oct. 19, 2021

• Share full article

What to Know: U.S. Travel Restrictions

Beginning today, international visitors who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus can enter the United States by air or across the land borders with Canada and Mexico.

Here’s the latest →

The new policy ends an 18-month ban on nonessential travel from 33 countries, including China, Brazil and European Union members. The ban had affected tourists and those hoping to visit family and friends in the U.S.

The rules reorient the U.S. approach to vetting its visitors during the pandemic.

Instead of basing entry decisions on travelers’ countries of origin, the U.S. is focusing on vaccination status.

International visitors flying into the U.S. now need to show proof of vaccination before boarding and a negative coronavirus test taken within three days of their flight.

The three vaccines available in the U.S. — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — are accepted, as are vaccines cleared for emergency use by the W.H.O., including AstraZeneca and Covaxin.

Unvaccinated foreign visitors cannot enter the country, with limited exemptions.

Unvaccinated Americans returning home need to test negative for the coronavirus within one day of their flight and show proof they have purchased another test to take after arriving.

The hope is with these longstanding bans being lifted, the U.S. tourism industry will start to recover. The halt on travel caused a loss of nearly $300 billion in visitor spending, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

Keep up with the latest travel news, trends and feature stories.

Our Coverage of U.S. Immigration

Border Arrests Drop:  The total was expected to come in under 60,000 for the month of July , a precipitous fall from a peak of 250,000 in December, after President Biden imposed stricter border measures.

Texas Stopped Busing in June: Gov. Greg Abbott’s program  forced Democrats to talk about the border. But a  dramatic drop in the number of migrants  has left the buses idle.

Citizenship Backlog Ebbing: The federal government has reduced an accumulation of applications that built up  during the Trump administration. New citizens say they are looking forward to voting in November.

The Right-Wing Dream of ‘Self-Deportation’: Some conservatives have a grim proposal to make undocumented immigrants leave: Exclude their children from schools.

Migrants Forced to Rethink Routes:  President Biden’s executive order in May temporarily suspended asylum claims. In the weeks following the change, migrant families had to rethink or reroute their journeys .

Advertisement

• Skip to main navigation
• Skip to main content

The Office of International Affairs

U.s. lifts covid-19 test requirement for international travel.

• About / Contact
• F-1 and J-1 Students
• Visiting Students
• Employees and Researchers
• Administrators and Faculty
• Spouses and Partners

OIA Newsletters:

Sign up here

Student Quick Links

Request a Travel Signature

Tax Info for F-1/J-1 Students

Admitted Students: Request an I-20 or DS-2019

Work Authorization for F-1/J-1

Travel Information

Check-In for New Students

Visa vs. Status - Learn More!

OPT Reporting Links:

• F-1 OPT Update Form
• F-1 STEM OPT Update Form
• SEVP OPT Reporting Portal Reset Request

Scholar/Employee Quick Links

J-1 Check-in Form

J-1 Occasional Lecture Short-Term Consult Request

H-1B/TN/E-3 Check-in Form

Travel Re-entry Form

Travel Guidance

J-1 and H-1B Orientations @ OIA

Tax Info for International Students and Scholars

Labor Condition Applications

Administrator Quick Links

H-1B TN E-3 Sponsorship Request

J-1 Request Form

Checklist J-1 English Language Requirement

AEPA Instructions

Deemed Export Control Attestation (for H-1B and O-1)

Graduate NDVS Request

J-1 Funding Requirements

Related Links

Campus and Student Life

Career Advancement

International House

UChicagoGRAD

Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

Student Manual

Published on Jun 13, 2022

As of 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. For more information, see  Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country .

Historical Reference:

CBP Announces New COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Non-U.S. Travelers Entering Via Land and Ferry From Canada, Mexico

As of January 22, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is requiring non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination. DHS said this was necessary as COVID-19 cases continue to rise nationwide.

The new restriction applies to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for both essential and non-essential reasons. It does not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or U.S. nationals.

The Biden administration previously ordered that noncitizen nonimmigrants be vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering the United States by air, except in limited circumstances.

Related Links:

• “Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals,” DHS, updated Jan. 20, 2022
• CBPOne Mobile Application (single portal to a variety of CBP services)

On December 02, 2021 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amended its October 25, 2021 Amended Order, titled, “Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States.”

This amendment updates COVID-19 testing requirements for air passengers 2 years or older boarding a flight to the United States. 

• The viral test must be conducted on a sample taken no more than 1 day before the flight's departure from a foreign country, regardless of vaccination status. This also includes nonimmigrants who are not fully vaccinated, but who are requesting admission to the United States under an exception to the vaccination requirement of Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021.

This Amended Order is effective for flights departing to the US from a foreign country on December 6, 2021. For more information about testing requirements, click here.

November 29, 2021 - Presidential Proclamation 10315  Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease 2019

• "The entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of noncitizens who were physically present within the Republic of  Botswana , the Kingdom of  Eswatini , the Kingdom of  Lesotho , the Republic of  Malawi , the Republic of  Mozambique , the Republic of  Namibia , the Republic of  South Africa , and the Republic of  Zimbabwe  during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States is hereby suspended and limited subject to section 2 of this proclamation."

The proclamation is effective on November 29, 2021, and operates  in addition to  the  November 8, 2021 vaccination requirement .  Neither the Department of State nor the Department of Homeland Security have published the eligibility criteria for national interest exceptions (NIE) under Proclamation 10315. Travelers should  not  assume that NIEs approved under the four prior,  now-revoked geographic proclamations  will be available under the Proclamation 10315 of November 26, 2021. Please be sure to review the information provided as well as understand any testing or entry requirements for the country to which you may be traveling. Travel during the pandemic may result in delays to your plans as the situation evolves. OIA will continue to keep you updated.

Additional information can be found here .

Update Sept. 2021

In a briefing on Monday, Sept. 21, 2021, the White House announced a new policy, expected to start in November 2021, that will require all international airline travelers to show proof of full COVID vaccination in order to board a flight to the United States. The requirement will be in addition to the existing COVID testing requirement for all international travelers.

• The White House plans to rescind the regional COVID travel bans currently in place for those recently physically present in Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, or the United Kingdom. The bans will remain in place until officially rescinded, which should occur by early November.
• Limited exceptions to the new vaccine requirement may apply to children, COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants, and certain individuals traveling for an important reason if they lack access to a vaccine in a timely manner.
• Those permitted to board an airplane without vaccination, including unvaccinated U.S. citizens, will be required to undergo stricter pre- and post-travel COVID testing requirements.
• The new policy is expected to ease travel for many, but processing backlogs at U.S. consulates could increase, which will impede travel for those who need a U.S. visa.

OIA will update this page as new information becomes available.

Update July 6, 2021

Extension of validity for National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) for Travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India

On June 29, 2021, the Department of State extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIE) for travelers subject to restrictions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9984, 9992, 10143, 10199, and similar subsequent PPs related to the spread of COVID-19. Unless otherwise indicated, existing NIEs will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted.

This extension applies to travelers subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India who currently have approved NIEs or who were granted NIEs in conjunction with a visa application.

Among the qualifications for NIEs are those traveling to provide vital support or executive direction to critical infrastructure; those traveling to provide vital support or executive direction for significant economic activity in the United States; journalists; travel due to extraordinary humanitarian circumstances; or travel in support of national security or public health. Students holding F or M visas and travelers with immigrant or fiancé visas have been granted NIEs and do not need to obtain NIEs in advance from a consular section. NIE eligibility for students who have been present in Brazil, China, India, Iran or South Africa applies to programs that begin on or after August 1, 2021. Additional information is available  here .

Travelers should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling if they have not previously been approved for a NIE and have a valid visa in the appropriate class or have a valid ESTA authorization for travel under the Visa Waiver Program and seek to travel for purposes consistent with ESTA authorization. If an NIE is approved, they may travel on either a valid visa or ESTA authorization, as appropriate. Each approved NIE is valid for 12 months from the date of approval and may be used to travel to the United States multiple times for the purpose indicated in the approved NIE. 

Click here for the full announcement.

Additional Information:

It may be possible for an individual covered by one of the geographic COVID-19 travel restriction proclamations to receive a “National Interest Exception” (NIE) to allow travel to the U.S. However, the U.S. Department of State posted policy statements on NIE’s have contained ambiguous wording and have raised a number of questions centering on the “August 1 condition.” No new information has been shared or posted since June 1, 2021. Consider the following:

President Biden has issued a proclamation imposing a COVID-19 public health travel ban on foreign nationals with recent physical presence in India. This same type of travel ban is already in effect for Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, countries in the European Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Starting at 12:01 am EDT on May 4, 2021, foreign nationals who have been physically present in India within 14 days of travel to the United States will be barred from entry, unless they qualify for an exception.  Consular operations in India are at a significantly reduced capacity due to the COVID pandemic, so those seeking exceptions to the new ban from a U.S. consulate are likely to experience delays and challenges.  The U.S. State Department periodically issues guidance on the criteria and standards for the  national interest exception  under the existing regional COVID travel bans. It is expected that the agency will soon issue  updated guidance  that addresses the national interest exception for India.

The following COVID-19-related presidential proclamations limit travel to the United States by individuals who were present in certain countries during the 14-day period prior to their planned entry to the United States. Also refer to the Department of State's web page  Presidential Proclamations on Novel Coronavirus .

There are five COVID-19-related proclamations limiting travel to the U.S. originally signed by President Trump and extended on January 25, 2021, by President Biden, who added a proclamation limiting travel to the U.S. from South Africa as well. 

These orders remain in effect since their implementation. All six proclamations suspend entry into the U.S. of a nonimmigrant (student visa holder) physically present in any of the countries listed below during the 14-day period preceding entry or attempted entry into the U.S.:

• China Proclamation  – issued January 31, 2020 
• Iran Proclamation  – issued February 29, 2020
• European Schengen Area Proclamation  – issued March 11, 2020
• Ireland and United Kingdom Proclamation  – issued March 14, 2020
• Brazil Proclamation  – issued May 24, 2020
• South Africa  - issued January 25, 2021
• India - issued April 30, 2021

August 1 Condition & National Interest Exceptions (NIEs)

• Broader exception in place for students present in the Schengen Area, UK, and Ireland – students in these countries are not subject to the August 1 condition and may be granted an NIE at the time of visa application. For continuing students (including students on OPT), if you are in one of these countries and have a valid visa, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate to be considered for an NIE to travel. If you’ve recently been granted a new visa sticker, your NIE may be noted there.
• Narrower exceptions in place for students present in Brazil, China, India, Iran, or South Africa – students in these countries are subject to the August 1 condition and may arrive in the U.S. directly no earlier than 30-days before the start of an academic program beginning August 1, 2021 or after (including OPT). The ambiguous wording creates confusion and uncertainty for continuing students and those on OPT who have program start-dates well in advance of August 1. Given the ambiguity, we recommend that students reach out to the nearest U.S. consulate/embassy to seek clarification. Students from Brazil, China, India, Iran, and South Africa may need to plan their travels with the August 1 condition in mind, and travel to the U.S. after that date.

In collaboration with peer schools and professional associations, the University has pressed for clarification on these matters. OIA will continue to work for clarity and will communicate any new information as it becomes available.

National Interest Exceptions (NIE) - updated April 26, 2021

The State Department has expanded eligibility for national interest exceptions (NIE) to the regional COVID-19 travel bans in place for Brazil, China, Iran, India, and South Africa, bringing them in line with existing criteria for travel from Ireland, the Schengen Area, and the United Kingdom. 

NIE eligibility now exists under all of the regional bans for F students, certain academics covered by exchange visitor programs (J-1 visa holders), journalists, and those seeking to provide vital support for critical infrastructure. Existing policy already covered several other exchange visitor categories.

The new NIE policy became effective on April 26, 2021. However, many consulates worldwide are still operating at reduced capacity and facing steep application backlogs. Continued appointment delays and cancellations are to be expected in many areas.

On January 26, 2021, the Department of State informally confirmed that the Schengen, UK, and Ireland and other NIE exceptions continue in effect as set forth on the  National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland  page (originally published on July 16, 2020 and last updated on October 1, 2020). In connection with the  July 13 announcement  on the phasing in of routine visa services, the  U.S. Department of State further indicated on July 16:

Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 and M-1 visas, do not need to seek a national interest exception to travel. Students from those areas who are traveling on a J-1 may contact the nearest embassy or consulate to initiate an exception request.

As indicated, all individuals are reminded that their admission remains subject to a determination by Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry and that they may be subject to a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. DHS requires travelers using a NIE waiver to fly into one of 15 specifically designated airports found  here .

For more information on all travel/entry restrictions,  click here .

• Travel Planning Center
• Ticket Changes & Refunds
• Airline Partners
• Check-in & Security
• Delta Sky Club®
• Airport Maps & Locations
• Flight Deals
• Flight Schedules
• Destinations
• Onboard Experience
• Delta Cruises
• Delta Vacations
• Delta Car Rentals
• Delta Stays
• Onboard Wi-Fi
• Delta Trip Protection
• How to Earn Miles
• Ways to Redeem Miles
• Buy or Transfer Miles
• Travel with Miles
• SkyMiles Partners & Offers
• SkyMiles Award Deals
• SkyMiles Credit Cards
• SkyMiles Airline Partners
• SkyMiles Program Overview​
• How to Get Medallion Status​
• Benefits at Each Tier
• News & Updates
• Help Center
• Travel Planning FAQs
• Certificates & eCredits
• Accessible Travel Services
• Child & Infant Travel
• Special Circumstances
• SkyMiles Help

Updated U.S. Entry Requirements 

Effective for flights to the U.S. beginning Sunday, June 12, 2022, COVID-19 testing is no longer required for all travelers entering or connecting through the U.S. Travelers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are still required to complete an attestation confirming they are fully vaccinated, and contact tracing remains in place for everyone.

Be sure to review the Delta Discover Map for full details for everyone entering the U.S. We recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure time for international flights.

• Investor Relations
• Business Travel
• Travel Agents
• Comment/Complaint
• Browser Compatibility
• Accessibility
• Booking Information
• Customer Commitment
• Tarmac Delay Plan
• Sustainability
• Contract of Carriage
• Cookies, Privacy & Security
• Combatting Modern Slavery (PDF)

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad

Learn about visa requirements, Trusted Traveler Programs like Global Entry, emergencies, and more.

International driver’s license for U.S. citizens

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to drive while traveling abroad, find out if you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for the country you are visiting.

Do you need a passport to travel to or from U.S. territories or Freely Associated States?

Whether you need a passport as a U.S. citizen to travel to or from a U.S. territory or Freely Associated State depends on your destination.

Visa requirements for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel outside the U.S., you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements.

See travel advisories and register in STEP

Find out about travel advisories abroad before you plan your trip. Learn about the benefits of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and how to register.

COVID-19 international travel advisories

If you plan to visit the U.S., you do not need to be tested or vaccinated for COVID-19.

Save time getting through airport security with Trusted Traveler Programs

Trusted Traveler Programs, like TSA Precheck and Global Entry, can help reduce airport security and border crossing wait times. Learn about applying for and managing memberships.

Emergency help for Americans abroad

Find out what to do in an emergency in another country, including assistance, money and more.

Authenticate an official document for use outside the U.S.

Apostilles and authentication certificates show U.S. documents are genuine. Learn when to use each.

Flying internationally? What to know about airport queues, rules and cancellations

Apr 8, 2022 • 8 min read

Traveling abroad for the first time since the pandemic hit? Here's what to know © Getty Images / PA Images

With the days ticking down to the summer months and travel restrictions rolling back, summer 2022 will likely see the return of robust international travel for the first time since the pandemic began in March 2022. 

For many people, this summer might be the first time they’ve traveled internationally — or at all — in years.

If you're among those venturing abroad for the first time,  you’ve likely forgotten a few things about traveling internationally since the last time you went abroad. There’s also a lot that has changed due to the pandemic. Many airports, particularly in Europe, are reporting long lines at security, customs and baggage checks, as well as cancelled flights, due to staff shortages.

Here are a few reminders before you leave for your next trip. 

Double-check the expiration of your passport

If you haven’t looked at your passport in a while, go grab it and look at its expiration date. If you’ll have less than six months of validity left on the passport when you plan to travel, it’s time to renew. 

Even though the passport may not be expired, often countries will not allow you to enter if you don’t have a specified amount of validity left on your passport. In fact, the airline likely won’t let you board the aircraft.

In the US, a passport renewal can take 8-11 weeks to process. You can trim that to 5-7 weeks if you select expedited service. Bottom line: Check your expiration and plan in advance. 

You need to be vaccinated to avoid additional restrictions when traveling to most countries

Travel restrictions are loosening worldwide, particularly in Europe where countries such as Ireland, Denmark , Sweden , Iceland , Poland , the UK , and more have dropped all COVID-19 entry restrictions at their borders. That means tests, vaccine certs and passenger locator forms are no longer required from passengers.

But some countries still want passengers to prove they’re vaccinated to avoid rules like testing, including popular summer destinations like France , Greece , and Italy . Others like Spain won’t even let US or UK travelers into the country unless they’ve been vaccinated or have a recent recovery certificate. Rules are particularly strict in most countries in Asia.

Some countries do require a booster shot so make sure you check your destination's requirements before you travel. 

When to book your airfare

Summer airfare to Europe is always expensive as it’s the most popular time for overseas travel. The weather is warmer. Schools are out so students and their families are able to travel together. 

Don't expect to find a lot of bargain fares if you want to travel at peak times. Along with the surge in demand, rising gas prices due to sanctions on Russia will impact the cost of jet fuel. Since fuel is the second largest expense for an airline behind labor, expect rising prices in the coming weeks. 

Typically, you find the cheapest prices for peak travel periods in the season opposite of when you want to travel. However, COVID-19 as well as the situation in Ukraine make things a bit unpredictable. Still, the rule of thumb is to book somewhere between one and three months ahead of time –as the prices will rise the closer you get to the date of departure. 

Finally, if you have flexibility, consider waiting until the fall. Airfare prices are typically less expensive from September through November. 

Low-cost transatlantic routes are coming back 

One strong sign of the airlines' confidence in the return of transatlantic travel this summer, several low-cost and leisure carriers have announced the return of their North America to Europe routes just in time for what traditionally were the busy travel months for international travel.

JetBlue, Condor, French Bee, Icelandair and PLAY are all among the low-cost carriers who have all added routes across the Atlantic to meet the anticipated demand. 

Reminder: Look for flexibility in fares, reservations and insurance

If we have learned anything from the past two years it is that things change rapidly. Make sure you have the flexibility to cancel if you need to do so. 

A lot of places and airlines have rolled back some of their once flexible cancellation policies so make sure you understand the terms and conditions of your booking. If there's a deadline for cancellation, consider entering a calendar alert in your phone so you don't forget. 

Finally, make sure you have travel insurance. Specifically, some new things you may want to look for in a policy these days are:

COVID-19 coverage This is not just for medical expenses if you get sick but also reimbursement for added expenses like lodging if you test positive and need to quarantine or delay returning home. 

Cancel for any reason This gives you the flexibility to cancel if you don't feel safe traveling and get most of your money back. 

Interruption for any reason This is a great provision to have if you plan on going to multiple destinations. If one of your destinations sees a rise in cases and enacts restrictions, you could cancel and move on to your next destination or return home and receive reimbursement for some of the costs you incurred. 

Waits at security and customs are long in some places

Make sure you’re planning ahead when deciding when to leave for the airport. It used to be you could arrive an hour before a domestic flight and two hours before an international flight. Now, airports are recommending that you get there two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.

In Europe, they’ve seen lengthy lines at security. This Saturday (April 9) is set to be the busiest day at airports for two years as families jet off for the Easter school break, and already airports in Manchester and London in the United Kingdom are reporting wait times for security of hours, with some passengers posting on social media that queues for security starting from outside of the terminal building as early as 4 am.  Police and members of the fire department have been placed on standby to manage queues in Manchester’s airport, with airport staff warning the chaos could continue for weeks.

In Dublin , passengers are advised to arrive at the airport four hours ahead of flight departures as the airport experiences delays at security lines caused by staff shortages. Check-in, baggage claim and security have all been impacted.

Elsewhere in Europe, airports aren't as overwhelmed as those in Ireland and the UK but passengers are warned to expect longer-than-usual queues regardless. Spain's busiest airports, including Madrid , Barcelona , and Palma in Mallorca , are asking passengers to arrive at least two to three hours early for their flights. Germany's biggest airport operator Fraport also warned passengers of delays over the coming weeks.

If you travel often to and from the United States, consider fast-tracking through customs by applying for global entry which is open not only to US citizens and permanent residents but also to citizens of select countries as well. Check for eligibility on the Custom and Border Patrol’s website. 

Don't ignore emails from your airline

Do you usually ignore those pre-flight emails from your airline? Don’t. Airlines are sending valuable information you may need - such as validating your COVID-19 documents in advance - that could save you time at the airport. Take a second and read any communication you receive. 

Also, double-check your airline has your correct contact information. Consider downloading the airline's app so you get push alerts for your flight and can rebook quickly should your flight get canceled. 

Airlines are still facing staffing shortages and it could impact your flight

Though travel restrictions are loosening, COVID-19 continues to cause a problem for airlines. As many airlines are still working to rebuild their staffing levels to meet demand, many have seen staff members calling in sick from the virus.

The BBC reported that both British Airways and budget airline EasyJet had to cancel flights out of London’s airports ahead of the Easter holiday due to staffing shortages. More than 1,000 flights were cut in the past week already, according to the Telegraph , with British Airways warning the disruptions would continue until the end of May.

In the United States, weather combined with staffing challenges created a domino effect that has led to thousands of cancellations nationwide. 

Make sure you have a change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on in case you get stuck. Also, have the apps for your airline on your phone so you can rebook quickly. 

Finding food can be problematic at some airports

Staffing shortages are also impacting the restaurants and shops inside airports. That means you may still encounter limited hours, closed restaurants or long lines at the restaurants that are open.

Tote an empty water bottle so you can fill up past security and toss some snacks in your carry-on just in case you wind up unable to grab food. 

Pack a mask... and patience

It's a legal requirement that passengers wear masks in most airports (the UK is one notable exception) and if you'll be facing long lines and crowded terminals, it's a good idea to pack a sturdy one in your bag such as the N95 ( or   FFP2 in Europe) face mask.

Finally, be patient with your fellow travelers. The crowds at the airports, delays, cancellations, difficulty finding food in the airport and just the challenge of traveling, in general, all combine for a perfect storm of stress and frustration. Take a deep breath and exercise restraint with your fellow man,

You might also like: Traveling to Spain's Canary or Balearic Islands? Here's what to expect Flying to Greenland is about to get easier for US travelers Japan loosens travel ban — but don't make plans yet  

Explore related stories

Jul 18, 2024 • 2 min read

Is it possible to go sightseeing in London with just an 8-hour layover at Heathrow Airport? LP is here to help.

Apr 3, 2024 • 6 min read

Oct 10, 2023 • 5 min read

Jul 19, 2023 • 7 min read

Jun 26, 2023 • 5 min read

Jun 15, 2023 • 3 min read

Jun 5, 2023 • 8 min read

May 30, 2023 • 14 min read

May 27, 2023 • 10 min read

Apr 28, 2023 • 3 min read

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

What International Travelers Should Know Before Visiting

Trusted traveler programs.

Which one is best for you?

CBP One™ Mobile Application

A single portal for multiple CBP services to streamline your experience.

CBP Releases Trade and Travel Fiscal Year 2022 Report

Results of key trade and travel programs and operations.

Almost a million times each day, CBP officers welcome international travelers into the U.S. In screening both foreign visitors and returning U.S. citizens, CBP uses a variety of techniques to assure that global tourism remains safe and strong. Descriptions of CBP processes and programs are available for first-time and frequent travelers.

For U.S. Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling abroad, get the information you need to smoothly navigate your return back into the U.S.

For International Visitors

If you are a visitor to the U.S. coming to work, study, conduct business or immigrate, get the Information you need to smoothly navigate the process and procedures to enter the U.S.

CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs provide expedited travel for pre-approved, low-risk travelers through dedicated lanes and kiosks.

Ready Lanes

If you are a traveler coming to the U.S. through a land border Port of Entry and have a Ready Lane-eligible document, get the information you need to experience significantly faster processing.

If you are a traveler coming to the U.S. through a land border Port of Entry and have a Ready Lane-eligible document, get the information you need to benefit from dedicated primary vehicle and pedestrian lanes and experience significantly faster processing.

Supreme Court partly grants GOP request to enforce Arizona’s proof-of-citizenship voting law

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday partly granted a request from the Republican National Committee to make Arizona enforce measures requiring people to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

In what is likely to be one of many election-related disputes to come before the court ahead of the November election , the justices allowed for one of three provisions of the state law to be enforced.

The vote was 5-4 on allowing limited enforcement of the law with conservative justices in the majority. One conservative, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined the three liberal justices in dissent. The court, in a brief order, did not explain its reasoning.

Three conservative justices — Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch — said they would have allowed all three provisions to be enforced.

More than 40,000 people have registered to vote in federal elections in Arizona without providing proof of citizenship, although state officials say most are inactive voters, and only a small number will likely be affected. In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden beat former President Donald Trump in Arizona by just over 10,000 votes.

The provision the court allowed the state to enforce would require officials to turn away attempts to register to vote using the state's own registration form if a person has no documentary proof of citizenship.

But the court kept on hold separate provisions challenged by the Biden administration that would prevent people without proof of citizenship from voting in presidential elections or by mail if they registered to vote using a different, federal registration form.

"My concern is that changes to the process should not occur this close to an election. It creates confusion for voters," Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said in a statement.

The RNC hailed the decision as a win for election integrity, despite the lack of evidence that noncitizens vote in U.S. elections.

"While Democrats have worked to undermine basic election safeguards and make it easier for non-citizens to vote, we have fought tooth and nail to preserve citizenship requirements, see the law enforced, and secure our elections," RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement.

The Biden administration argued that the provisions the Supreme Court kept on hold violate a federal law called the National Voter Registration Act. That law requires those registering to vote in federal elections to attest that they are U.S. citizens but does not require documentary proof.

Arizona’s 2022 law, which has never been enforced, was itself a response to a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that invalidated an earlier attempt to impose a proof-of-citizenship requirement. Then, the Supreme Court said the National Voter Registration Act prevents states from adding additional requirements to forms people have to fill out to vote in federal elections.

In the ruling’s aftermath, Arizona enforced its proof-of-citizenship requirement for state elections, but not federal elections. This effectively created a tiered registration process, whereby certain prospective voters can register to vote in federal elections only.

While the Biden administration objected to the new provisions requiring proof of citizenship to vote for president or vote by mail, other plaintiffs, including voting rights groups, brought their own challenge focusing on the state registration form.

State officials, including Fontes, have declined to enforce the law. The law was passed by Republicans, but Fontes and other state leaders, including Attorney General Kris Mayes, are Democrats.

A federal judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Aug. 1 declined to block the ruling.

The RNC, joined by Republican leaders in the Legislature, said in court papers that the lower court ruling was “an unprecedented abrogation of the Arizona Legislature’s sovereign authority to determine the qualifications of voters and structure participation in its elections.”

Fontes had said that many of the more than 40,000 people who had registered to vote in federal elections only were likely students, service members and Native Americans who did not have birth certificates at hand when registering to vote. Only about 5,000 of the voters had registered to vote by mail.

Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the Biden administration, said in her court filing that “judicial intervention at this stage would undermine the orderly administration of the election, risking the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters who have already registered to vote.”

Lawrence Hurley is a senior Supreme Court reporter for NBC News.

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Travel Advisory June 27, 2024

Russia - level 4: do not travel.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Do not travel to Russia due to the consequences of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces. U.S. citizens may face harassment or detention by Russian security officials, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the possibility of terrorism. The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia. The Department has determined that there is a continued risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by Russian authorities. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should leave immediately.

The U.S. government has limited ability to help U.S. citizens in Russia, especially outside of Moscow. The U.S. Embassy is operating with reduced staffing, and the Russian government has restricted travel for embassy personnel. Furthermore, all U.S. consulates in Russia have suspended operations, including consular services.

There have been reports of drone attacks and explosions near the border with Ukraine as well as in Moscow, Kazan, and St. Petersburg. In an emergency, you should follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter.

Russia may refuse to recognize your U.S. citizenship if you are a dual U.S.-Russian citizen or have a claim to Russian citizenship. Russia has denied consular officers visits to detained dual U.S.-Russian citizens. The Russian government has forced citizens with dual nationality to join the Russian military and prevented them from leaving the country. In 2022, the Russian government mobilized citizens for its invasion of Ukraine. Military conscription continues.

In Russia, the rights to peaceful assembly and free speech are not always protected. U.S. citizens should avoid protests and taking photos of security staff at these events. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who joined protests. Moreover, there are many reports of Russians being detained for social media posts.

U.S. citizens should know that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia. Due to sanctions, sending electronic money transfers from the U.S. to Russia is nearly impossible.

Commercial flight options are minimal and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements. The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in leaving the country, and transportation options may suddenly become even more restricted.

Click  here  for Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia.

U.S. Embassy staff generally are not allowed to fly on Russian airlines due to safety concerns. Recently, the FAA downgraded Russia's air safety rating from Category 1 to Category 2. Additionally, the FAA banned U.S. flights in some Russian areas, including the Moscow Flight Information Region (FIR), the Samara FIR (UWWW), and the Rostov-na-Donu (URRV) FIR within 160NM of the boundaries of the Dnipro (UKDV) Flight Information Regions. Check the FAA's Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices for more information.

Country Summary: 

Russian officials have interrogated and threatened U.S. citizens without cause. This includes former and current U.S. government and military personnel and private U.S. citizens engaged in business. U.S. citizens may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion.

Russian authorities may not notify the U.S. Embassy about the detention of a U.S. citizen and may delay U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services also target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable.”

Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on false charges, denied them fair treatment, and convicted them without credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities have opened questionable investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has destabilized security in southwestern Russia. In October 2022, the Russian government declared martial law in the following border areas with Ukraine: Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, and Krasnodar. Under martial law, authorities can set curfews, seize property, and restrict movement. The Russian government may detain foreigners, forcibly relocate residents, and limit public gatherings. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to these areas.

Russian authorities have questioned, detained, and arrested people for “acting against Russia's interests.” Local authorities have targeted people for posting on social media or supporting "anti-Russian" groups and punished individuals for criticizing the government or military. The Russian government's current "LGBT propaganda" law bans discussion of LGBTQI+ related topics. In November 2023, the Supreme Court labeled the so-called "international LGBT movement" as extremist. This decision effectively made it a crime to support the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons in Russia.

Terrorists continue to plan attacks in Russia. The March 2024 Crocus City Hall incident proved they can strike suddenly. Terrorists may target tourist areas, transport hubs, and markets. They may also target government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, and places of worship. Parks, events, schools, and airports are also potential targets.  U.S. government employees under Embassy (Chief of Mission) security responsibility are not permitted to travel to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to those areas.

The international community does not recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea and does not acknowledge Russia’s purported annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya. Russia staged its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in part, from occupied Crimea and there is a heavy Russian military presence in these areas. There is intense fighting across these regions and Russian authorities there have abused both foreigners and locals. Authorities have specifically targeted individuals who are seen as challenging Russia’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv administers consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya. However, the conflict limits the Embassy's ability to help U.S. citizens in these areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Russia.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

• Read the information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in an emergency overseas .
• Consider the risks involved in having dual U.S.- Russian nationality.
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government help. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
• Follow news for any important events and update your plans based on the new information.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This will allow you to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for Russia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Important Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia (Updated Monthly).

Click Here for Important Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia (Updated Monthly) .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Required six months beyond intended stay

2 pages per stamp

$10,000 or more must be declared

You may export up to $3,000 (or equivalent) without declaring it

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Moscow Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8 Moscow 121099 Russian Federation Telephone:  +(7) (495) 728-5000 or +(7) (495) 728-5577 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(7) (495) 728-5000 Fax:  +(7) (495) 728-5084 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok 32 Ulitsa Pushkinskaya Vladivostok 690001 Russian Federation

Consular services at U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok remain suspended.  Contact Embassy Moscow for all consular services.

U.S. Consulate General Yekaterinburg Ulitsa Gogolya 15a, 4th floor, Yekaterinburg 620151 Russian Federation

Effective April 1, 2021, Consulate General Yekaterinburg suspended all consular services.  Contact Embassy Moscow for all consular services.

U.S. Consulate General St. Petersburg

Due to the Russian government’s ordered closure of the U.S. Consulate General, as of March 31, 2018, U.S. citizen visitors and residents in St. Petersburg must contact the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for all consular services .

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Before traveling to Russia, consider the current Travel Advisory.

The Travel Advisory for Russia is Level 4, Do Not Travel. The Department of State recommends U.S. citizens do not travel to Russia due to the consequences of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces. U.S. citizens may face harassment or detention by Russian security officials, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the possibility of terrorism. The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia. The Department has determined that there is a continued risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by Russian authorities. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should leave immediately.

Russian authorities strictly enforce all visa and immigration laws. The  Embassy of the Russian Federation  website provides the most up to date information regarding visa regulations. In accordance with Russia’s Entry-Exit Law, Russian authorities may deny entry or reentry into Russia for five years or more and cancel the visas of foreigners who have committed two administrative violations within the past three years. Activities that are not specifically covered by the traveler’s visa may result in an administrative violation and deportation.

Under a bilateral agreement signed in 2012, qualified U.S. applicants for humanitarian, private, tourist, and business visas may request and receive multiple-entry visas with a validity of three years or a single entry, three-month validity visa. (Please note that other types of visas are not part of the agreement, and those visa holders should pay close attention to the terms of their visas.) You cannot enter Russia prior to the date on your visa, and you must exit Russia before your visa expires. The maximum period of stay is shown on the visa.

• You must have a current U.S. passport with the appropriate visa. Russian visas in an expired or canceled passport are not valid.
• You must obtain a valid visa for your specific purpose of travel before arriving in Russia. Do not attempt to enter Russia before the date shown on your visa.  If you are staying in Russia for more than seven days, you must register your visa and migration card with the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Students and English teachers should be certain that their activities are in strict keeping with their visa type. U.S. travelers in Russia on a student visa are prohibited by Russian law from teaching or coaching English for pay or as an unpaid volunteer.. It is a visa violation that may subject you to detention and deportation. 
• Transit visas:  We recommend that all passengers transiting through Russia obtain a Russian transit visa.
• With the exceptions noted below, travelers are not required to have a transit visa if they are transiting through an international airport in Russia, do not leave the Customs zone, and depart from the same airport within 24 hours.
• Travelers must have a Russian transit visa if they plan to transit through Russia by land in route to a third country or if they transfer to another airport.
• Travelers must possess a Russian transit visa in addition to a Belarusian visa if their travel route either to or from Belarus goes through Russia.

Dual Nationals: Anyone entering Russia who has claim to Russian citizenship, regardless of any other citizenship they hold, is subject to Russian law and accountable to Russian authorities for all obligations of a Russian citizen, including required military service. Russia may refuse to recognize your U.S. citizenship if you are a dual U.S.-Russian citizen or have a claim to Russian citizenship. Russia has denied consular officers visits to detained dual U.S.-Russian citizens.

• U.S.-Russian dual nationals and Russian citizens who are Legal Permanent residents of the United States must register their dual nationality/foreign residency. Registration forms and further information (in Russian only) can be found on the website of the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Interior Ministry of Russia. Dual U.S.-Russian citizens who have not registered have been arrested. 
• U.S.-Russian dual nationals must both enter and exit on a Russian passport.  You will not be permitted to depart on an expired passport. Applying for a passport can take several months. 
• U.S.-Russian dual nationals who return to Russia on a “Repatriation Certificate” are only permitted to enter Russia and will not be permitted to depart Russia until they obtain a valid Russian passport.
• Minors who also have Russian citizenship and are traveling alone or in the company of adults who are not their parents, must carry a Russian passport as well as their parents’ notarized consent for the trip. Parents can contact, a Russian embassy or consulate or a U.S. notary public to notarize a letter of consent.  If you use a U.S. notary public, then the notarized document must be apostilled (authenticated), translated into Russian, and properly affixed. Russian authorities will prevent Russian citizen minors from entering or leaving Russia if they cannot present a properly notarized consent letter.

Crimea: Follow the guidance in the Department’s  Travel Advisory for Ukraine  and do not travel to the Crimean Peninsula. 

Documentary Requirements for obtaining a Russian visa: Consult with the  Embassy of the Russian Federation  for detailed explanations of documentary requirements.

HIV/AIDS Entry Restrictions: Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to, and foreign residents of, Russia. Applicants for longer-term tourist and work visas or residence permits are required to undergo an HIV/AIDS test.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups, transnational and local terrorist organizations, and lone actors inspired by extremist ideology and messaging continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They may target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Terrorists have carried out attacks in Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, and bomb threats against public venues are common. If you are at a location that receives a bomb threat, follow all instructions from the local police and security services.

North Caucasus Region: A risk of civil and political unrest continues throughout the North Caucasus region including Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. Local criminal gangs have kidnapped foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for ransom. In the Republic of Chechnya, local authorities may harbor particular hostility towards U.S. travelers.

• Do not travel to Chechnya or any other areas in the North Caucasus region.
• If you reside in these areas,  depart immediately.
• U.S. government employees under Embassy (Chief of Mission) security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to the region,  due to ongoing security concerns.
• The U.S. government has no ability to assist U.S. citizens in the North Caucasus Region.

Mt. Elbrus:

Do not attempt to climb Mt. Elbrus , as individuals must pass close to volatile and insecure areas of the North Caucasus region.

• Do not travel to this Russian occupied territory of Ukraine.
• The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Crimea. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv for questions regarding consular services.
• U.S. government employees under Embassy (Chief of Mission) security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to Crimea. See the Department’s  Travel Advisory for Ukraine .

Harassment: Harassment of U.S.-based religious and student groups can take place in Russia, and you should be aware of the possibility of anti-U.S. sentiment or harassment. U.S. citizens, including current and former U.S. government and military personnel, may be subject to additional scrutiny by Russian security services. Remain alert, avoid any protests or demonstrations, and use discretion when commenting publicly on political developments. You can find safety and security  Alerts on the Embassy’s website .

• Police do not need to show probable cause in order to stop, question, or detain individuals. Please comply with the requests of local law enforcement officials.
• Report harassment or crimes to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

Demonstrations:

• Avoid public demonstrations. U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations have been arrested by the Russian authorities.

Crime: Crimes against tourists do occur at popular tourist sites and on public transportation. U.S. citizens have been victims of serious crimes when visiting Russia. Russian authorities are not always willing to investigate crimes impartially and thoroughly.

• Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Exercise caution in the vicinity of large crowds.
• Do not leave bags unattended. 
• Never leave your drink unattended in a bar or club. Alcohol was a significant factor in most criminal activity reported by foreign visitors.
• Report Credit card or ATM card theft to the credit card company or issuing bank immediately.
• Avoid carrying large sums of cash. 

Cybercrime: Cybercrime is a major issue in Russia. Hackers and organized crime groups collaborate, especially targeting the financial sector. They use malware, spam, spear phishing, and social engineering to infect, steal, or compromise personal information. Therefore, U.S. citizens and companies must be alert and use cyber security measures to lower their risks.

U.S. citizens have no reasonable expectation of privacy in Russia. Telephone and electronic communications are subject to surveillance at any time and without advisory, which may compromise sensitive information. The Russian System for Operational-Investigative Activities (SORM) legally permits authorities to monitor and record all data that traverses Russia’s networks.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for additional information on scams.

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 02 or 102, or 112 if using a mobile phone, and the U.S. Embassy at +7 495 728-5000.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. U.S. law enforcement agencies generally do not have jurisdiction to investigate crimes against U.S. citizens that occur on Russian territory.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical needs
• Support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated. Safety inspections of equipment and facilities are infrequent Hazardous areas may lack proper signage, and construction or maintenance staff are often uncertified. In case of injury, medical care is mainly available in major cities. First responders are usually unable to reach areas outside of major cities quickly. U.S. citizens are advised to get medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Arrest Notification: Russia routinely fails to meet its obligation to inform the U.S. Embassy of arrests of U.S. citizens. If you are detained, ask the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. If you are a U.S.-Russian dual citizen, the police or prison officials may refuse to contact the U.S. Embassy on your behalf. Your U.S. passport does not protect you from arrest or prosecution. See our for further information.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to all Russian laws while in Russia. If you violate these laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, fined, imprisoned, or expelled, and may be banned from re-entering Russia. 

Some acts committed outside the United States are prosecutable as crimes in the United StatesFor examples, see  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

• You can be arrested, detained, fined, deported, and banned for five years or more if you are found to have  violated Russian immigration law.
• Penalties for  possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs  in Russia are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• You can be  detained for not carrying your passport  with you.
• You can be jailed immediately for driving under the influence of alcohol.
• It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars , except at authorized retail establishments.
• You can be arrested for attempting to  leave the country with antiques , even if they were legally purchased from licensed vendors. Travelers seeking to leave Russia with items like artwork, icons, samovars, and rugs, military medal, or antiques must possess official Russian certificates showing that they lack historical or cultural value. You may obtain certificates from the  Russian Ministry of Culture . 
• Retain all receipts  for high-value items, including caviar.
• You must have  advance approval to bring satellite telephones to Russia.
• Global Positioning System (GPS) and other radio electronic devices, and their use, are subject to special rules and regulations in Russia. Contact the Russian Customs Service for required permissions.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers: Russian authorities have arrested, fined, and even deported travelers for religious activities. The Russian government recognizes four religions: Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. There are strict regulations on religious missionary work of any kind. To engage in missionary work, travelers must obtain authorization from a recognized religious group. Proselytizing outside of a registered place of worship is illegal. U.S. citizens have been detained for religious activities not allowed on tourist or humanitarian visas. See the  Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report .

LGBTQI+ Travelers: Russian law bans distributing "LGBT propaganda,” and the Russian Supreme Court has declared the so-called “international LGBT movement” an extremist organization, effectively prohibiting all expression related to LGBTQI+ issues.

Discrimination based on sexual orientation is widespread in Russia. Acts of violence and harassment targeting LGBTQI+ individuals occur.

Government officials have made derogatory comments about LGBTQI+ persons and violence against the LGBTQI+ community continues.

There have been credible reports of arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killing of LGBTQI+ persons in Chechnya allegedly conducted by Chechen regional authorities.

See our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Getting around in Russia is often difficult for persons with mobility issues. In general, public transportation is not accommodating to people with disabilities. The Moscow Metro, though extremely safe and efficient in other areas, is generally not accessible to persons with disabilities.

• Sidewalks are narrow and uneven.
• Mobility is usually easier in major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.
• Crossing streets in large cities can be difficult, since it usually requires the use of a pedestrian underpass. These underpasses include stairs, steep ramps, and no elevators.

Students: See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Private medical care in major metropolitan cities and tourism centers in Russia is often equal to Western standards. However, medical care is generally below Western standards in non-metropolitan areas.

• Private medical facilities require payment before providing services. They will not accept U.S. insurance as a guarantee of future payment unless it's for life-threatening care. Payment is expected at the time of service.
• The U.S. Department of State cannot pay the medical bills of private U.S. citizens.
• U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not provide coverage outside the United States without the purchase of supplemental coverage. 
• Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our  webpage  for more information on insurance coverage.
• Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems are particularly at risk.

Prescription Medication:

• Certain classes of over-the-counter cold medicines, such as those containing pseudoephedrine, are illegal in Russia. Do not bring cold medication with you to Russia.
• Russia does not recognize medical marijuana prescriptions. Possession of marijuana in Russia is illegal. If you bring medical marijuana into Russia, you are at risk of arrest. 
• Carry a copy of valid U.S. prescriptions, including a notarized translation into Russian of each prescription, when entering Russia with prescription medications. 
• Prescription medication should be in its original packaging.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

World Health Organization

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions and driver safety customs differ significantly from those in the United States.  In some more remote areas of Russia, roads are practically nonexistent or have poor or nonexistent shoulders.

Drivers are required by law to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and this is generally observed.  It is dangerous for pedestrians to cross a street where there is not a crosswalk present.

Do not drive outside the major cities at night.

Construction sites and road hazards are often unmarked. 

Traffic Laws:  Russian authorities to sometimes consider traffic or parking infractions as "administrative violations. "  These can lead to deportation and denial of reentry to Russia.

• Drivers must carry third-party liability insurance under a policy valid in Russia.
• You may drive for 60 days using your U.S. driver’s license, with a notarized Russian translation.
• Tourists may also use International Driving Permits issued by the  American Automobile Association  or the American Automobile Touring Alliance to drive in Russia.
• Russian law requires foreigners on business or employment visas or with permanent residence status to have a Russian driver’s license.
• Driving regulations are strictly enforced and violators are subject to severe legal penalties.
• Russia practices a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol.  Authorities can detain an intoxicated driver.
• If you are involved in an accident, do not move your vehicle from the accident site.  You may be held liable if you move your car even if you are not at fault.
• Roadside police checkpoints are commonplace.  Be prepared to stop and show identity documents and proof of registration and insurance.

Public Transportation:

Moscow and St. Petersburg have extensive, efficient public transit systems, as do many other urban areas in Russia.

In metropolitan areas, well-marked taxis are generally safe and reliable.  Do not use unmarked taxis.  Passengers have been the victims of robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and theft.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed that the Government of Russia's Civil Aviation Authority is not in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Russia's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA's safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Russia should check the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration site for  U.S. maritime advisories and alert s.  Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the  NGA broadcast warnings website.

The Commandant of the Coast Guard is unable to determine if effective anti-terrorism measures are in place in Russia’s ports as required by 46 U.S. Code § 70108.

Please see Fact Sheet for this country/area.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in  Russia .  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on X (formerly known as "Twitter") and Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Russia . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, russian federation map, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit: