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The most important thing to know is that the U.S did not close its borders to all countries. They did however suspend tourist visas and banned Europe, Iran, Brazil and China from entering the United States.
Here is everything you need to know about the United States reopening for international tourism.
Testing Requirements Arriving in the United States
The United States requires all international arrivals by air to present a negative Covid-19 antigen test taken no longer then 72 hours before your flight departure. This includes Americans returning home.
Who can NOT travel to the United States?
Brazil
On May 25th, President Donald Trump banned all travelers from Brazil or anyone that has been to Brazil in the past 14 days.
United States citizens are exempt from the proclamation and may return home from Brazil at anytime.
China
On January 31st, President Trump banned all travelers who have been to China in the past 14 days from entering the United States. The ban is still in place and strictly enforced.
United States citizens are exempt from the proclamation and may return home from China at anytime.
Iran
On January 31st, President Trump banned all travelers that have been to Iran in the previous 14 days.
United States citizens are exempt from the proclamation and may return home from Iran at anytime.
Europe
The ban is still in place meaning all Europen travelers can’t travel to the USA at this time.
Anyone coming from Europe or who has visited Europe in the last 14 days will not be permitted to enter the United States.
Euopean Countries included in the BAN:
- 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
- Vatican City
- United Kingdom
- Republic of Ireland
No date has been set or projected for when European countries will be able to travel to the U.S. again.
United States citizens are exempt from the proclamation and may return home at anytime.
Land Borders
Non-Essential Travelers Arriving at United States LAND BORDERS from Canada and Mexico will not be permitted to cross for non essential reasons
Tourists will NOT be allowed entry unless they are returning home to their country of origin.
U.S. Visa Services
Visa services in the U.S. are now starting to resume operations. Check with the U.S. consulate in your home country to check the status for tourists visas.
Who can travel to the United States For Tourism?
The following countries CAN enter the United States without a Visa and are not included President Biden’s travel ban.
- Australia
- Chile
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- Canada (Air only)
Note: If you can be approved for a tourist visa for the United States in your home country and your country is NOT on the travel ban list, you may be granted entry.
Once arriving in the United States visitors may face quarantine measures in some states and other social distancing measures.
*Before booking any travel, be sure to check with the U.S. consulate in your country to ensure you will be granted entry into the United States. You could still be denied entry if you do not confirm before traveling.
We do not recommend traveling against your home countries advisories.
Can Canadians Enter the United States For Tourism?
By Land: NO, land borders between the between the United States and Canada are CLOSED to non-essential travel.
By Air:
YES, according to the U.S. Embassy official fact sheet. The fact sheet states that while all land borders are closed, the travel restrictions do not apply to air travel.
Our team called Air Canada, United Airlines and American Airlines. All three airlines confirmed their are NO restrictions for Canadians traveling by air to the United States.
However, United States citizens can NOT travel to Canada by air.
Be sure to check with the U.S. consulate in your area to ensure you will be granted entry into the United States.
Many American States require a 14 day quarantine and Covid-19 negative test result prior to traveling. See the complete list of U.S. Covid-19 Entry Requirements
Major US Attractions That Have Reopened
Major US Attractions That Are Closed
United States reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry before traveling.
Nav Sandhu
Thursday 25th of February 2021
Can student who is in Australia since 2018 but of of india origin is eligible for tourist visa to USA. And what are chances he can get approval.
Rich
Wednesday 24th of February 2021
I think we are still waiting for President Biden to do something helpful in this space. I thought the headline of this piece was meant to be ironic. Since the new Admin took over, the travel ban for EU UK and Brazil was re-introduced, an attempt to impose quarantine on anyone going to a foreign country was made by executive order which seems to have stalled and an attempt to impose testing on domestic flights was dumped. All we have seen is Biden saying how sad it is. There was lots of talk about how bad the previous admin was but we foreigners are still waiting for President Biden to move away from isolationism. Pushing vaccines and opening up the US for vaccinated travelers would be such a move as would making cheap or free testing available at all commercial airports so testing becomes no big deal for family vacation etc. Time for words has gone it is now time for the US to provide the Leadership which everyone is looking for, if travel us to re-open safely before the next election.
Sparkle Me Timbers
Wednesday 24th of February 2021
Land travel is permitted. What "rules" are in place for this? Can you can drive across the border to your destination, Canada to U.S. and return to either a 14 day isolation period or a COVID-19 test?
Kashlee Kucheran
Wednesday 24th of February 2021
I'm not sure I understand your Q - f you are either a Canadian or American citizen and you want to return to your home country via the land border, yes you may cross, as repatriating is essential travel. You will have to fulfill the entry rules.
Hyson
Thursday 3rd of December 2020
What about a Chinese citizen currently in Serbia(not a Schengen country)? And I had a US tourist visa already.
Kashlee Kucheran
Thursday 3rd of December 2020
Like I say to all the comments, please check with US border police or the US consulate during these times. Not all tourist visas are valid right now
Peter
Tuesday 1st of December 2020
Why though? Is there something wrong with turkey as a way to avoid 14 days ban?
Rich James
Tuesday 19th of January 2021
Spending 15 days (not 14) in a country not covered by the Presidential proclamation is a legal and acceptable means of entering the USA. However with the change of President and the intended use of Presidential Executive Orders to bypass Congress and have immediate effect, the position post Jan 20th could be less clear. Joe Biden has made it clear he intends to remove the restrictions on those countries with proven historic jihadist links as being prejudiced against specific races and creeds and to reimpose the ban on the UK, Brazil and the EU which President Trump proposed to replace with a negative Covid Test from Jan 26th. I would be very wary of making any assumptions or plans to travel based upon them until we see what actions the new Administration does take and how they affect travel. The Biden rhetoric is to isolate the USA from the rest of the world but that may just be an extension of the fear rhetoric used in the election campaign. I would give it at least a month to see what happens. Given Turkey is a US Ally, a nation with a strong Muslim population and not part for the Schengen Treaty, I do not see it being a negative factor, the question is more is it a positive factor? Turkish Airlines is a signatory for VWP so they and US Carriers should be fine for ESTA unless the new administration choose to change or restrict ESTA participation for the UK and Schengen for example. Remember Mr Biden has said he wants to restrict international travel until Corona Virus is conquered.