What COVID documents do you need to return to the United States after overseas travel

Spring break is the perfect time to travel overseas to take advantage of warmer weather. But make sure you have the necessary documents with you when you fly back to the United States.

In addition to passports or visas, certain security requirements related to COVID-19 are in place.

The Transportation Safety Administration estimates that average daily passenger volume will exceed 90% of pre-pandemic levels for the duration of March.

Before leaving the United States, travelers are advised to review travel requirements in their destination country to avoid being denied entry, as recommended by both the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To return to the United States, travelers must meet certain entry requirements:

If you are a US citizen, permanent resident, or immigrant in certain categories, you are not required to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19, although it is recommended that you have up-to-date vaccination status.

But those who are not U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or immigrants (tourist or business visa holders, for example), must show proof of full immunization with CDC-approved vaccines.

The CDC considers a person to have a full vaccination schedule when they have received the full doses of the vaccine they received, even if it is a vaccine that is not given in the United States. .

For example, for vaccines such as Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Sinovac, two doses are required to have full vaccination. For the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, only one dose is needed.

The CDC does not count boosters as part of the full vaccination.

The United States does not accept the Chinese CanSino vaccine and the Russian Sputnik V vaccine as proof of vaccination.

All travelers, regardless of immigration status or if they are U.S. citizens, must present a negative COVID test result from a test taken the day before travel.

Rapid tests, or antigens, as well as PCR tests are accepted.

If you had COVID up to 90 days prior to travel, you may be exempt from presenting a negative test result, provided you present a certificate of recovery signed by a physician.

All travelers are required to use a mask covering their nose and mouth at airports and on board aircraft for the duration of the flight.

The CDC has extended that term until April 18.

US citizens, as well as permanent residents, are not required to show proof of full vaccination.

All other persons intending to enter the United States must show proof of vaccination at all land border ports of entry, whether traveling for essential or non-essential reasons.

To enter the United States by land, people are not required to show a negative COVID test result.