US to drop COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreign travelers May 11
Editor's Note
As of May 11, visitors to the U.S. will no longer have to show proof of COVID—19 vaccination to enter the country, the White House announced yesterday.
"Today, we are announcing that the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends," the White House said in a statement May 1.
President Joe Biden has been under public pressure from some industry groups and government officials to drop the regulations. Since November 2021, he has enforced the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's policy restricting entry to noncitizen travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Biden administration mostly extended this mandate last April.
"Today's action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward. The return of international visitors should be as efficient and secure as possible," Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said in a statement. "The federal government must ensure U.S. airports and other ports of entry are appropriately staffed with Customs and Border Protection officers to meet the growing demand for entry."
This decision marks the end of COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international travel as a whole. Before today, the only other countries with remaining requirements were in Asia, including Japan, which dropped its vaccination requirements last week.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app