USDHS Announces Fully Vaccinated Travelers Permitted to Enter U.S. at Land and Ferry Border Crossings, Effective November 8, 2021
On October 29, 2021 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that travelers providing documentation confirming they are fully vaccinated for COVID will be able to enter the U.S. for non-essential reasons (e.g. tourism) via land ports of entry and ferry terminals, effective November 8, 2021. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) will release guidance on eligibility and entry protocols implementing the new rules soon.
A summary of the October 29, 2021 USDHS announcement can be viewed here.
A detailed Fact Sheet from USDHS can be viewed here.
This is an easing of the travel restrictions from Canada and Mexico into the U.S. that have been in place since March 2020. Until November 8, the restrictions on land border entry to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico remain in place.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance posted on its website confirms that certain unvaccinated individuals may continue to enter the U.S. for “Essential Travel” (including to attend educational institutions in the U.S.) via land/ferry entry until January 2022, after which ALL travelers (essential and non-essential) will be required to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to enter the U.S.
This announcement comes after similar ease of restrictions and establishment of vaccine/testing requirements for air travel to the U.S. issued by Presidential Proclamation on October 25, 2021 that will also be effective November 8, which requires proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test [see guidance on the Proclamation related to Air Travel here].
As soon as detailed information is released by USCBP on eligibility and entry procedures, this guidance will be posted on the MIT International Students Office (ISO) Major Immigration Updates webpage and on the MIT International Scholars Office webpage.
