The Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will implement a two-phase plan to allow foreign nationals to enter the US through Canada and Mexico if they have been fully vaccinated. The land border with Canada and Mexico was originally shut down for non-essential travel back in March 2020 and has been extended every month since. For more information, please click here. Starting in November 2021, the travel restrictions will instead be replaced with the following:
- November 2021: Fully vaccinated foreign nationals from Canada and Mexico will be able to enter the United States for “non-essential” purposes such as tourism or personal visits
- January 2022: All foreign travelers entering the US from Canadian and Mexican land (or ferry) borders must be fully vaccinated in order to enter regardless or reason. This includes those travelling for work and business (these are individuals who are currently permitted to travel without the vaccines.)
Full, official details of the new international travel vaccination policies – including specific start dates, potential exceptions, and information on what vaccines and documentation will be accepted – have not yet been released. The CDC is reporting that only vaccines that have been approved or authorized by the FDA or the World Health Organization will be accepted under the policy, although this has not been confirmed at this time. Current restrictions on “non-essential travel” via land or ferry from Canada and Mexico remain in effect through October 21, 2021 and are expected to be extended until the implementation date of the new border policy in November 2021.
