The December holidays are approaching and many tourists are interested in coming to the United States. Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the most important holidays in the North American nation, and the pretext for businessmen and well-known brands to open seasonal attractions.
However, while active cases of COVID-19 have decreased, the US government intends to maintain the public health emergency through spring 2023 and has established a number of requirements for travelers.
- The United States does not require a booster vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19; however, it requires a comprehensive vaccination program with antigens approved by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration).
- During the trip, tourists must present the printed or digital proof of vaccination provided by the health authorities of their country of origin.
- Children under 18 are exempt from the obligation to present a vaccination certificate when traveling by air or land. Likewise people who, on medical prescription, cannot receive the vaccine.
- The United States no longer requires PCR or antigen testing for COVID-19.
- Have a valid visa (depending on the country of origin).
- Have a valid passport.
- Fill out Form I-94, in case the traveler intends to travel more than 40 kilometers from the border or if his stay will be longer than 30 days.
- If you need a vehicle, present your driving license from the country of origin and the documents of the vehicle you will be traveling in (number plates, registration and insurance).
The list of vaccines accepted for travel to the United States is Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen and CanSino’s Convidencia, each in one dose. And in two doses, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Covishield, BIBP/Sinopharm, Sinovac and Novavax/Covovax. Vaccine list excludes Russian formula Sputnik V.
According to the US Embassy Mexico website, only someone is considered fully vaccinated in the following cases:
- Two weeks (14 days) after receiving the dose of an accepted single-dose vaccine.
- Two weeks (14 days) after receiving the second dose of an accepted two-dose vaccine.
- Two weeks (14 days) after completing the vaccination schedule with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not a placebo) in a clinical trial.
- Two weeks (14 days) after completing the vaccination schedule with a Novavax (or Covavax) COVID-19 vaccine (non-placebo) in a Phase 3 clinical study.
- Two weeks (14 days) after receiving two doses of any combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines that were given at least 17 days apart.
