We’ve had many people reaching out to us recently wanting to know about traveling internationally. There is a lot of confusion about where you can go, what you need to get there, and how to return home.
We’ve had many people reaching out to us recently wanting to know about traveling internationally. There is a lot of confusion about where you can go, what you need to get there, and how to return home.
Depending on your destination you will need at least two things
- Be fully vaccinated. This means that your final dose must have been administered at least 14 days before you leave.
- Have a negative covid test taken within 2 to 3 days before boarding your flight.
Each country has it’s own specific requirements. Some require specific tests, other require specific vaccines, and then there is the digital vaccination card or online document submission. Unfortunately there isn’t a one-size-fits all answer for visiting a foreign country right now. If you’re thinking about foreign travel reach out to us, or another Travel Advisor to help you better understand what the requirements are for your intended destination.
Wherever you go you will eventually return to the U.S. Thankfully this process is pretty consistent across most countries.
Air Travel
Let’s start with Air Travel. If you are returning by plane you will need to be either a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, foreigners are not yet allowed to enter the U.S. under most circumstances. And you will need a negative COVID test taken no more then 3 calendar days, or 72 hours, from entering. The test has to be a viral test, so either a NAAT or Antigen test, any other test will not be allowed. Now if you have proof that you’ve recovered from COVID within the last 90 days you could be exempt from these testing requirements.
Common Questions
To start where can I get tested?
Well that depends on where you are visiting. If you’re doing an All Inclusive or destination resort they might handle testing on-site. If testing is not provided or you are not staying in a resort you will need to determine a location in advance. If I were planning your travel I’d try to provide you with a list of locations that could do the correct test and get you results in a timeframe that will work for traveling back to the U.S. If you are doing your own planning I’d recommend that you find multiple locations that do a viral test and will have results back to you with enough time for you to travel. Remember you have a 72 hour window from when the test is taken.
A quick note about testing at resorts for those planning their own trips, I’d call the resort to better understand time frames, wait times, and if a reservation is possible or required. The last thing you want to do is spend the end of your vacation waiting in line. It’s also good to have a few backups, just in case. If the resort or testing center runs out of tests because of higher then expected demand you already know where you can go. You don’t have to waste vacation time searching for another testing center.
What happens if there are flight delays that cause your test to be older then 72 hours?
If your initial flight is delayed to the point where you are outside of the 72 hour window then you will need to get retested. If you are already on a flight and a connecting flight is delayed putting you beyond the 72 hour window, according to the CDC you should be fine, assuming the delay is less then 24 hour and you don’t leave the airport. It wouldn’t hurt to have a list of testing locations in any city you have a connection in, just in case.
Can I get a rapid test?
Yes, as long as it’s a viral test and conforms to the CDC’s order. If there is a specific test you are looking to have done you’ll need to verify that it is accepted otherwise you run the risk of getting turned away while trying to board the plane.
It’s illegal for the United States to deny entry to a citizen, how is this legal?
Well I am not a constitutional lawyer, I’m not even a lawyer, so I really can’t answer any questions about legalities. My job is to help you travel better. That being said, this order applies to Air Travel only. So basically this is what you need to do to board a plane that will come into the United States. Any other questions about the constitutionality of this you’ll need to talk to an attorney.
What happens if I test positive for COVID?
This is the situation you don’t want. Remember, just because you’re vaccinated doesn’t mean you can’t catch or carry the virus. So if you test positive you will need to quarantine until you fully recover. This is at your expense. Depending on where you are going there are some travel insurances that have a quarantine coverage. If that’s something you’d like to know more about then please give us a call, or call another Travel Advisor to walk you through the specifics. Some countries have specific policies in place for if you test positive, which can include having to stay in a specific quarantine hotel. These hotels can get expensive, they usually start at a few hundred dollars a day or more per person.
