Testing and International Air Travel

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New travel requirements:

All passengers coming into the US, including US citizens, are required have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States. For more information, see the frequently asked questions.

Masks are required on airplanes, buses, trains, and other public transportation in, within, or outside the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and train stations.

Air travel requires time in security lines and airport terminals, which can put you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Social distancing is difficult on busy airports and on crowded flights. Sometimes sitting within 6 feet of others for hours can increase your risk of contracting COVID-19. The way you get to and from the airport e.g. Using public transport and carpooling can also increase the likelihood of exposure to the virus.

Tests before and after the trip can reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Testing does not eliminate all risks. However, coupled with staying at home and taking everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, travel can be made safer by reducing its spread on airplanes, at airports, and at destinations.

Here's what you should know:

Plan ahead: Make sure you understand and follow any airline and destination requirements for travel, testing, or quarantine, which may differ from US requirements. If you don't meet the requirements of your destination, you may be refused entry and have to return to the United States.
All passengers entering the United States, including US citizens, must present a negative COVID-19 test result or recovery documentation from COVID-19 prior to boarding the United States.
- Make sure you can get a test at your destination before returning to the US. Always review and follow state and local recommendations or requirements regarding travel in addition to federal requirements.
Let yourself be tested with an Avira test 1-3 days before departure. Keep a copy of your test results with you while you travel in case you are asked about them. Review and follow the requirements for target tests. Certain types of tests may be required.
- Do not travel if you test positive. Immediately isolate yourself and follow public health recommendations
- Delay your trip while waiting for test results.
Let yourself be tested 3-5 days after departure AND Stay at home and quarantined for 7 days after the trip.
- Even if you test negative, stay home and quarantined for the full 7 days.
- If you are not tested, it is safest to stay home for 10 days after your trip.
If you are eligible, get the full COVID-19 vaccination. Wait 2 weeks after receiving your second dose of vaccine. It takes time for your body to build up protection after a vaccination.

Plan ahead

Check to see if your airline or destination needs health information, tests, or other documents. Some destinations need to be tested prior to travel and / or after arrival. If you don't meet the requirements of your destination, you may be refused entry and have to return to the United States. You may have to pay the applicable flight fees. If you test positive in your destination location, you may need to isolate. Return to the US may be delayed as planned.

Information on testing requirements for your target may be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs or Department of Health, or from the Department of State, Consular Affairs Office, country information websiteexternal symbol

Take steps to reduce higher risk activities 14 days prior to your trip and get tested 1-3 days prior to travel. Pre-travel testing can help reduce the chance of your travel being interrupted or delayed by COVID-19.

Get tested before your flight

Below is everything you need to know to get tested before your international flight.

Get a virus test 1-3 days before your trip and again no more than 3 days before your flight to the USA.
Make sure you get your test results before you travel. Waiting for results will delay your trip.
Do not travel if your test result is positive;; Immediately isolate yourself and follow public health recommendations.
A negative test doesn't mean you haven't been exposed or that you won't develop COVID-19. Make sure you wear a mask, avoid the crowds, stay at least 2 meters away from others, wash your hands, and take care of your health for signs of illness while traveling.
Keep a copy of your test results while traveling. You can be asked about them.
- Review your destination's testing requirements before leaving. Certain types of tests may be required. If you don't meet the requirements of your destination, you may be refused entry and have to return to the United States.

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Get tested and stay at home after the trip

Let yourself be tested with a virus test 3-5 days after departure AND Stay home and quarantined for 7 days after the trip.
- Even if you test negative, stay home and quarantined for the full 7 days.
- If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from infection.
If not tested, you will be home and quarantined for 10 days after the trip.
Avoid being with people who are at increased risk of serious illness for 14 days, whether they get tested or not.

After your trip, follow any state and local recommendation or requirement.

Also after your return from travel, take these measures to protect others from COVID-19:

Avoid the crowds and stay at least 2 meters away from people who have not traveled with you. It is important to do this everywhere – both indoors and outdoors.
Wear a mask over your nose and mouth in public. Masks are required on airplanes, buses, trains, and other public transportation in, within, or outside the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and train stations.
If there are people in the household who have not traveled with you, wear a mask and ask everyone in the household to wear masks in common areas of your home for 14 days after the trip.
Wash your hands frequently or use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid being around people who are at increased risk of serious illness.
Take care of your health: look for symptoms of COVID-19.

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frequently asked Questions

Where will I be tested?

Visit your state, territory, tribe, and regionexternal symbol

When do I need a test to travel to the US and what type of test do I need?

Do not get tested more than 3 days before departure for the USA. Make sure to get tested with a virus test (NAAT or antigen test) to see if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Also, make sure to get your results before your flight departs and document your results to show the airline.

Do state and local governments in the US have separate testing requirements for passengers?

State testing requirements must be met in order to board an airplane in the United States. Some state and local governments may have similar or more restrictive testing requirements for passengers arriving on their territory. Always review and follow state and local recommendations or requirements regarding travel in addition to federal requirements.

Where can I get a test overseas?

For information on where to get an overseas test, visit the U.S. embassy websiteexternal symbol

Do international destinations have test requirements for passengers?

Plan ahead and find any health information, tests, or other documentation required by your airline or destination. Many countries have test requirements and only accept certain types of tests. If you don't meet the requirements of your destination, you may be refused entry and have to return to the United States. You may have to pay the applicable flight fees.

What if I had a COVID-19 vaccine or tested positive for antibodies? Do I still need a COVID-19 negative test or recovery documentation from COVID-19 to enter the US?

Yes, at this point all passengers traveling to the United States, regardless of vaccination or antibody status, must provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery.

What else should I do before I travel to protect myself and others from COVID-19?

Take everyday precautions such as wearing masks, social distancing and hand washing 14 days prior to travel, and avoid the following activities that put you at higher risk for COVID-19:

Go to a large social gathering such as a wedding, funeral, or party.
Attending a mass gathering such as a sporting event, concert, or parade.
Being in crowds such as restaurants, bars, fitness centers or cinemas.
Take public transportation such as planes, trains or buses, or travel to transportation hubs such as airports.
Travel on a cruise ship or river boat.

Is one test enough to prevent it from spreading during my trip?

CDC recommends getting tested 1-3 days before your flight AND 3-5 days after your trip AND Stay at home and quarantined for 7 days. Even if you test negative, stay home and quarantined for the full 7 days. If not tested, you will be home and quarantined for 10 days. Testing in combination with staying at home greatly reduces travelers' risk of spreading COVID-19.

What if I recently recovered from COVID-19?

CDC does not recommend getting retested in the 3 months following a positive virus test until you have symptoms of COVID-19. If you had a positive virus test in the past 3 months and met the criteria to end isolation, you will travel with a copy of your positive test result and a letter from your doctor or health department stating that you have been cleared for travel . You must present this COVID-19 recovery documentation before boarding a flight to the United States.