The U.S. is open for tourism, with the exception of people coming from 35 banned territories. Both national and foreign travelers need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding their flight.

Returning nationals and residents are allowed back from banned countries but they may need to quarantine upon arrival.

Multiple states have lifted all restrictions for domestic traveling, and several of them don’t even require wearing masks anymore.

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US Reopening Borders – LATEST UPDATES

July 16 – The U.S. borders will not reopen for EU or other travelers for the time being

“It defies logic. It defies science. It defies fact,” Democratic Representative of New York, Brian Higgins told CNN, regarding the lack of transparency about the U.S. international borders reopening.

Another White official said that European Union, United Kingdom, Canadian and Mexican task groups have met with their American counterparts to discuss the aspects that would allow them to safely reopen the country.

However, another White House official told Reuters that “the Biden Administration is not in a rush to lift travel restrictions soon.”

Source: TD News

July 9 – The U.S. can’t put a date on the international borders reopening, says government

The U.S. is unable to put a date on international travel reopening according to a White House official who spoke to Reuters on July 7.

“There are further discussions to be had before we can announce any next steps on travel reopening with any country,” said the official.

This is the second time in less than 2 weeks that a Biden’s administration official speaks about the impossibility to determine when the country will reopen for tourism.

On June 25, the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken also told reporters they could not give an approximate date and that everything will “have to be guided by the science and by medical expertise.”

As of today, Schengen area residents who are not American citizens are only allowed if traveling under the National Interest Exception (NIE).

Source: Reuters

June 25 – U.S. to resume international tourism after September 6, said U.S. Commerce Secretary

The long-awaited reopening to EU tourists may be about to be over.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has stated the country is actively seeking to open travel bubbles with key partners so they can resume international travel soon.

Although not a specific date was announced, Raimondo mentioned Labor Day, which is celebrated on September 6, as the potential date for free foreign travel.

“I’m hopeful that post-Labor Day we will see a nice uptick in business travel and international travel” […] “I can promise that getting business travel and international travel going again is a top priority,” said Raimondo.

(Source: Business Travel News)

June 9 – U.S. to form task groups with Canada, Mexico, the EU and the U.K. to create a strategy to safely reopen borders soon

Multiple EU countries expected President Joe Biden’s announcement about the U.S. border reopening during his visit to the U.K. for the very first G7 summit of his administration.

But instead, the White house has issued a statement informing the country will not reopen just yet.

“While we are not reopening travel today, we hope that these expert working groups will help us use our collective expertise to chart a path forward, with a goal of reopening international travel with our key partners when it is determined that it is safe to do so,” reads the statement.

For now, the U.S. will form task groups with Canada, Mexico, the EU and the U.K to find the safest way to start international travel.

(Source: Reuters)

May 24 – The U.S. has not decided yet whether they will reopen to Europeans or not this summer

On May 19, all E.U. members agreed to welcome back Americans from June. E.U. countries can still enforce extra testing or quarantine requirements, but in principle all vaccinated Americans will be allowed to visit Europe for tourism again.

Unfortunately, on the other side of the Atlantic things seem to be different. Biden administration has been reportedly holding meetings and contacting tourism industry leaders but reopening decisions have not been made yet.

Last week, White House spokesman Jen Psaki stated that no changes on current travel restrictions have been planned thus far, when asked if the U.S. would allow vaccinated travelers to visit America Again. (Source: Reuters)

Additionally, the U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said last Wednesday that travel restrictions are a public health decision led by the CDC. This means, this is more than a political decision that can be made among a few industries and the government.

How safe is it to travel to the States at the moment?

According to America’s COVID Warning System, the country is overcoming the 4th wave of coronavirus infections.

COVID-19 cases in the U.S.

As of July 15, the U.S. has recorded 34,887,720 cases and 624,221. The U.S. has the highest death toll in the world.

When is the U.S. and Mexican land border reopening?

The U.S. and Mexican border will not reopen until, at least, July 21. Only essential travel is allowed at the moment.

Is it possible to travel the U.S. for business or tourism?

US reopening borders for tourism - travel restrictions

The U.S. is open to most countries for business or tourism. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention with only some specific exceptions, visitors won’t be able to enter the U.S. if they have been to one of these 35 countries over the last 14 days.

(Current at July 16)

Austria
Belgium
Brazil
China
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iran
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Poland, Portugal
Republic of Ireland
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
Vatican City

Airlines currently flying from Europe to the U.S., (Find restrictions below)

Lufthansa United
Air Europa
Royal Air Maroc
Air France
Alitalia, Delta Operated by Alitalia CityLiner
Delta
KLM, Delta Virgin Atlantic
Lufthansa, Air Canada 0perated by Air Canada Express – Sky Regional
Lufthansa, Air Canada operated by Air Canada Express – Jazz
Lufthansa, United operated by Mesa Airlines DBA United Express
Tap Air Portugal
Turkish Airlines
Virgin Atlantic

What are state-related restrictions in the different states of the U.S?

After so many months of high COVID-19 case transmission and local restrictions foreign visitors might be longing to travel again or visit family and friends in other states. In order to make things go smoothly it is important to keep up with the constant fluctuation of rules and regulations.

Some states may ask travelers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, quarantine upon arrival, or submit a travel declaration and self-isolation plan, some other states may just allow them to freely travel intercity or interstate.

To be sure of what to do and avoid problems leaving or coming back home, travelers can find updated information about every single state on Travel restrictions state by state in the U.S.

Other requirements to take into account

All airlines will compel passengers to wear a mask, and many of them could refuse them boarding if they don’t comply.
Some airlines are operating flights at 60% capacity but others allow travel on a 100% crowded plane.
Different rules may apply for couples holding passports from different countries. Travelers should consult local, regional, and national regulations to ensure they are compliant.

US reopening for tourism - Travel restrictions

To be granted access to the United States travelers may rely on a great variety of factors including but not limited to if they are a foreigner or national, the countries they have recently visited, their visa status, the states where they are supposed to land when they arrive in the country, their current health status, or even their commitment to attend local regulations.

So because rules and regulations updates can be released with short to no prior notice, it’s strongly recommended for everyone to check both their embassy website for unexpected changes and local news for permanent updates on local policies in each state.

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