As Flytrippers told you before, there are going to be major changes to the United States’ entry rules on November 8. The government has just officialized all the details of the changes, at least for entry by air. Including for kids (and all minors in fact).
Here is what has been announced by the destination that is #1 for Canadian travelers (based on the data).
The United States’ new entry rules
First, we have a simple step-by-step guide on how to travel to the United States for those who prefer that format and don’t care about what is actually changing.
Otherwise, here’s what we already knew, specifically about the upcoming changes to enter the United States:
- Effective Monday, November 8
- The land border is reopening
- Vaccination required (by land or by air)
- Mixed vaccines accepted (AstraZeneca too)
- Entry restrictions for countries currently banned will be lifted
- Pre-departure rapid antigen test still required by air (as low as $40)
- You have the full 3 calendar days before the day of the flight (not just 72 hours)
- Test not required by land apparently (not 100% confirmed yet)
- As always, the same rules apply for transits in the USA
Here is what is new from yesterday’s announcement:
- Minimum of 14 days after the last required dose
- Any proof of vaccination from “an official source” is accepted
- No vaccination requirement for all minors
- All those under 18 years of age are considered minors
- Unvaccinated minors traveling alone* must be tested the day before the flight
*The requirement to test the day before (instead of in the 3 days before) also applies to children accompanied by non-vaccinated parents and to non-vaccinated adults. But among adults, only Americans are allowed to enter the USA without being vaccinated (just as Canadians are allowed to enter Canada without being vaccinated).
Yesterday’s announcement was for air travel only, so we’re still waiting for it to be 100% confirmed officially by the government to be sure that the pre-departure testing requirement is really still just for air travel (but it’s almost certain).
Let’s look at each item briefly.
Minimum of 14 days after the last required dose
This isn’t too surprising, most countries require 14 days too. But not all! Always check, as with all rules. Some require 28 days. Each country makes its own rules and nothing is harmonized, this is very important and that’s why we keep repeating it.
Canada, by the way, also requires 14 days after the last dose for its entry rules.
However, we are still waiting for confirmation that the definition of “fully vaccinated” is the same for the upcoming new requirement (being vaccinated to board any plane in a Canadian airport) because it is a completely separate rule. Many have trouble understanding that all the rules are separate, so I’ll repeat that too—sorry for those who already know.
That new requirement comes into effect on the 30th, in 4 days. And the Canadian government still hasn’t provided any logistical details. They’re still really on top of things it seems… as has been the case all along basically.
Any proof of vaccination from “an official source” is accepted
It’s simple, as is the case in most countries at this point, any official proof of vaccination will do. But that’s not true everywhere… it depends on the country!
Canada just launched its new official vaccination passport for travel last week, which is actually the topic of our article for tomorrow. With all the details you need to know. Stay tuned.
No vaccination requirement for all minors
The good news is that the USA is taking the most permissive approach. No traveler under the age of 18 needs to be vaccinated to enter, even if they are old enough to be vaccinated. It’s a lot simpler that way.
This is definitely not Canada’s approach in terms of entry rules. Canada has removed the quarantine for everyone under 12, since they can’t be vaccinated (but they still can’t go to school or daycare for 14 days) but requires children who can be vaccinated (over 12) to be vaccinated in order to be exempted from the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Again, the requirement to board a plane in a Canadian airport is separate and of course, children under 12 will be allowed to board since they cannot be vaccinated.
In short, it was obvious that children under 12 would be allowed to enter the United States, but the winners now are 12 to 18-year-olds who can also enter without being vaccinated.
To show that everything always varies, as much as the USA is more permissive for children in terms of entry… only kids under 2 years old are exempt from their pre-departure test requirement (while kids under 5 years old are exempted by Canada).
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Summary
The United States has announced that all minors are exempt from the vaccination requirement, that any proof of vaccination from an official source will be accepted, and that the last required dose must be received at least 14 days prior to entry.
What do you want to know about the USA’s vaccine rules? Tell us in the comments below.
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In another part of this website it mentions that over 100 countries accept non-vaccinated travelers. IF (and that’s a big if) Canada does not implement the “vaccination mandatory” requirement for all air travel, but a flight to get to one of those countries has a connection (or 2 or 3) in the United States, then those travel options would not be an option for the unvaccinated (non dual citizen) Canadian, correct? I haven’t read anywhere that unvaccinated Canadians would be permitted to have a connection in the United States under the new United States “you must be fully vaccinated to travel to the United States). My take on this is that unless a a person who is not fully vaccinated can obtain a flight going to those countries that is either direct, or has connections that allow unvaccinated travelers, they cannot actually get to those countries. Your take on this?
Yes, that is 100% certain. Can’t connect in the USA if you are not vaccinated. Transits do not exist in the USA, so if you have a connection there it’s exactly like entering the country.
(Details here: https://flytrippers.com/how-canadians-travel-united-states/)
Really isn’t that much of an issue though, to go everywhere in the Americas there are many direct flights or via Mexico/Panama, and for the rest of the world, many European countries allow transits 🙂
It cleary says that no testing is required for non-citizents:
“Effective November 8, 2021, all non-immigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States.”
That’s not at all what that says. That says that they need to be vaccinated. Read just 3 paragraphs below. Anyway, apologies but I won’t invest any more time on this. You will need a test to enter by air. That is 100% indisputable 😛 Guaranteed.
Learn to read English. The bellow paragraph in my link that ure referring to states, that the ones who are not vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative covid test. The ones who are full vaccinated – wont. 100% no testing is required.
I suggest double or triple-checking before telling someone to learn to read…
Hello. US gov page indicates that no proof of testing is required for full vaccinated from Nov 8th coming in by air
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/requirements-for-air-travelers-to-the-us.html
A negative COVID-19 test will definitely be required to enter just as it is today. No change. That page is for Americans (and not foreigners) but even so it does say clearly that they need a test (as we do as Canadians):
“U.S citizens and LPRs who are fully vaccinated will need to present airlines with proof of vaccination and of a negative COVID-19 test three (3) days before their flight.”
Walmart now offers rapid antigen tests for $19.97 FYI
Thanks for the info, seems to be only in Alberta and Ontario but sure is a great development for travelers in those provinces. Will add to our ultimate guide (https://flytrippers.com/canadians-travel-coronavirus-pandemic/)