On December 2, 2021, stricter testing requirements for international travelers to the US were announced by President Biden as part of a comprehensive strategy to fight COVID-19. Beginning on December 6, all air passengers, regardless of vaccination status, must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel to the United States. For detailed information please visit the CDC website. The CDC has provided the following resources regarding requirements for international travelers entering the US:
- Testing Requirement before Air Travel to the U.S.
- Vaccine Requirement for Air Travel to the U.S.
- Mask Requirement
- Travelers Prohibited from Entry into the U.S.
At this time we are still not aware of any national interest exemptions that may apply to F-1/J-1 students or J-1 scholars coming from countries where travel bans apply. As soon as we learn more about this, we will communicate with you immediately. In the interim, we encourage you to monitor news coverage of the latest Omicron coronavirus variant and how it is affecting international travel, particularly as the winter break fast approaches, and we prepare for the Spring 2022 semester.
Please reach out to a BIO advisor if we can be of assistance. We will provide updates as new information unfolds. Please continue to keep up-to-date with immigration changes via BIO’s Immigration Policy Updates and COVID-19 FAQ webpages.