Presidential Proclamation Rescinding Regional COVID Travel Bans and Imposing Vaccination Requirement

On October 25, 2021, President Biden issued a presidential proclamation titled “A Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-⁠19 Pandemic”. Effective on November 8, 2021, at 12:01 am (ET), the proclamation moves away from country-by-country travel restrictions and adopts an air travel policy that relies primarily on vaccination, with limited exceptions. (86 FR 59603, 10/28/21)

Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021

Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID–19 Pandemic

The proclamation states:

This proclamation governs the entry into the United States of noncitizen nonimmigrants -- that is, noncitizens who are visiting the United States or otherwise being admitted temporarily -- traveling to the United States by air. It suspends the entry of unvaccinated noncitizen nonimmigrants, except in limited circumstances, and it ensures that the entry of unvaccinated noncitizen nonimmigrants is consistent with applicable health and safety determinations made by the Director of the CDC, including a requirement that, where appropriate, such individuals agree and arrange to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon their arrival.

AILA Practice Resources (Available Exclusively to AILA Members)

• Practice Pointer: COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Travelers to the United States

Other Government Guidance

• DHS to Require Non-U.S. Individual Travelers Entering the United States at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals to be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 – January 21, 2022
• UPDATED: Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals – January 20, 2022
• DOS Updates Guidance on Rescission of COVID Travel Restrictions from Previous Travel Ban Countries – November 9, 2021
• DHS Press Release: Starting November 8, 2021, Fully Vaccinated Travelers Permitted to Enter U.S. via Land and Ferry Border Crossings – November 8, 2021
• San Diego CBP Officials Discuss Upcoming Changes to Travel Restrictions That Begin on November 8 (November 3, 2021)
• DHS FAQS: Guidance for Travelers to enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals (October 29, 2021)
• DHS Releases Details for Fully Vaccinated, Non-Citizen Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land and Ferry Border Crossings (October 29, 2021)
• DHS Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals
• DOS Press Briefing: International Travel Vaccine Requirement (October 26, 2021)
• DOS FAQS on COVID Vaccinations and Testing
• DOS Announcement on Vaccine Requirement and Rescission of Travel Restrictions (October 25, 2021)
• CDC: Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers
• White House: Fact Sheet on New Requirements for Air Travel During COVID-19 (October 25, 2021)

Related Federal Register Notices

• CDC Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation 10294 (86 FR 61224, 11/5/21)
• CDC Order Requiring the Collection of Passenger and Crew Contact Information on Flights Arriving into the United States (86 FR 61246, 11/5/21)
• Third CDC Order Requiring a Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for Persons Entering by Air (86 FR 61252, 11/5/21)

Related Resources

• DHS FAQS: Guidance for Travelers to enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals (October 29, 2021)
• DOS FAQS on COVID Vaccinations and Testing (October 25, 2021)
• DOS Announcement on Vaccine Requirement and Rescission of Travel Restrictions (October 25, 2021)
• Practice Alert: Biden Administration Plans to Rescind COVID-19 Travel Bans and Instead Require Proof of Vaccination