COVID-19 Travel Vaccination Requirement Extended into 2023

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) quietly confirmed it will continue requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for certain non-residents to enter the U.S. in 2023

The TSA Security Directive 1544-21-03A becomes effective on November 9, 2022, and applies to non-US citizens until at least January 8, 2023, to limit the risk of COVID-19, including virus variants.

Austin Gould, Acting Executive Assistant Administrator Operations Support, signed the TSA Security Directive, which requires aircraft operators to confirm that each Covered Individual, before boarding a flight to the U.S., has:

• Presented paper or digital documentation of Proof of Being Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 that includes personal identifiers that match the unique identifiers on the passenger’s passport or other travel documents; or
• Presented documentation proving that they are an Excepted Covered Individual under the Proclamation and the U.S. CDC Order as further explained in the CDC Technical Instructions.

This requirement was initiated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on October 25, 2021, and amended on October 30, 2021, and April 14, 2022, providing further instructions on implementing a U.S. Presidential Proclamation.

The CDC defines fully vaccinated as having had an accepted single-dose vaccine, or both doses of an accepted two-dose series, at least two weeks ago. 

Together, these policies are intended to limit the risk that COVID-19, including variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, is introduced, transmitted, and spread into and throughout the U.S.

Given the resumption of air travel as worldwide restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic ease, these policies will, consistent with the measures required by Executive Order 13998 of January 21, 2021, advance the safety and security of the air traveling public.

Previously, the CDC discontinued the requirement for international travelers to provide a negative SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus test in June 2022.

This change meant vaccinated people could fly into the U.S. even if they tested positive for the virus. 

Additional CDC travel requirements are listed on this webpage.

Vax-Before-Travel publishes fact-checked, research-based travel vaccination information manually curated for mobile readers.

Updated for links on November 7, 2022.