This article was prepared with the assistance of ABIL, the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers, of which Loan Huynh, Fredrikson Immigration Department Chair, is a member.
According to reports, the Biden administration is developing a “phased” plan to require most travelers to the United States to be fully vaccinated, with exceptions. The idea is to make it possible to safely re-open travel to the United States and lift pandemic-related restrictions on foreign travelers.
A White House official told CBS News that federal interagency working groups “are working to develop a plan for a consistent and safe international travel policy to have a new system ready for when we can reopen travel. This includes a phased approach that over time will mean, with limited exceptions, that foreign nationals traveling to the United States (from all countries) need to be fully vaccinated. Currently, the interagency working groups are developing a policy and planning process to be prepared for when the time is right to transition to this new system.”
Under discussion are the details of how to implement such a policy, what proof of vaccination will be accepted, and which vaccines will be accepted. It is unclear whether only air travel will be affected or whether vaccines will also be required before crossing land borders.
“Biden Administration Prepares Plan Requiring Foreign Travelers to be Vaccinated,” CBS News, Aug. 5, 2021
“Exclusive: U.S. Developing Plan to Require Foreign Visitors to be Vaccinated, Official Says,” Reuters, Aug. 4, 2021
