COVID-19 Testing Requirement for Air Travel to USA: 16 January 2021

Effective January 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents) to present a negative viral COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure, or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days.  Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recent recovery for all passengers prior to boarding and must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery.  Please see CDC’s FAQ and the Embassy’s COVID-19 webpage for more information about the new requirement.

If you are planning to return to the United States, you should contact your airline for specific information about testing requirements for travelers.  Because airlines may adopt and modify their own specific policies to implement CDC’s new rule, you should contact the carrier for your U.S.-bound flight and not rely on information from other carriers or information or experience from previous trips.