Travel Bans to the United States Expected to be Lifted on November 8

The White House announced back in September that the travel bans in place due to the COVID pandemic will be lifted sometime in November. Reports coming out of the White House have claimed that the day for the travel ban lift will be on November 8. On that day, the U.S. will lift the COVID-19 travel ban for fully vaccinated passengers from the United Kingdom, 26 Schengen countries, Ireland, China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, and India. Foreign national currently residing in these countries will no longer be required to apply for the national interest exception before they travel. This will apply to those travelling on visa waiver programs and those who are required to apply for a visa first.

Starting on November 8, the United States will implement a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for adult foreign nationals flying in from another country from anywhere abroad, not just the travel banned countries. Foreign nationals will now be required to provide proof that they have received full COVID vaccination in order to board a flight to the United States. CDC have claimed (although it has not been confirmed yet) that the U.S. government will accept vaccines approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO). Confirmation of the accepted vaccines will be provided by the CDC shortly. Limited exceptions to the vaccine policy are expected to be available for children, COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants, and those traveling for an important reason who lack access to vaccination in a timely manner.

Until November 8, the current national interest exception requirement will still be in place.