New COVID Testing Requirements for U.S. Entry
President Joe Biden’s administration has announced stricter COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers arriving in the United States following the discovery of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Instead of the three days (72 hours) testing requirement, travelers entering the country by air will have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day (24 hours) of departure, regardless of vaccination status or nationality.
The new one-day test requirement will begin “early next week” (commencing 6 December – exact date to be confirmed), according to the White House release.
Pre-departure tests for the US can be at-home/remote, providing it’s via a telehealth service affiliated with the test manufacturer (i.e. video-observed) or administered in-person by a health professional. Lateral flow (antigen) and PCR tests are both accepted.
Please continue to check the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website which will be updated with the latest entry requirements. If you need a helping hand with testing options and providers, please refer to our help centre .
In line with existing rules, all foreign national visitors to the United States must be fully vaccinated.
