As a result of the global rapid rate of spread of the latest COVID-19 variant, Omicron, new federal vaccination requirements for inbound U.S. travel by land and ferry were announced by the U.S. Department the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on January 20, 2022 . Crucially, this announcement and a pair of Federal Register notices (87 FR 3429, 87 FR 3425) published on January 24, 2022, together entail a policy change that negates an exemption from providing proof of full vaccination that was previously granted to nonimmigrant student visa holders traveling through the Canadian and Mexican borders as an "essential travel" exception.
How do these announcements affect F-1 and J-1 students (and their dependents)?
Previously, nonimmigrant amended vaccination requirements for inbound land and ferry travel for all "non-U.S. individuals," which the department defines as anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national.
What this means for F and J students and their dependents
Whereas proof of COVID-19 vaccination had not previously been required of nonimmigrant student visa holders, including F -1 and J -1 students and their dependents, traveling by land or ferry to the through the U.S.-Canada and U.S. were not required to provide proof of vaccination under the Essential Travel designation. These announcements do away with this exception. Instead, all land and ferry travelers who are not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident, must now furnish proof of full vaccination to be admitted into -Mexican borders under the "essential travel" designation, the announcement on January 20 mandates that all non-U.S. individual land and ferry travelers to the U.S. must now present proof of full vaccination in order to be admitted starting January 22, 2022. Therefore, if you are an F or J visa holder traveling to the U.S. by meeting land or ferry, starting January 22, 2022 you must meet the following requirements to be admitted:
- Provide verbal attestation of COVID-19 vaccination status
- Provide proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccine administered in accordance with CDC's guidelines
- Present valid travel documents, such as an unexpired passport and visa, if applicable
NB: Minors , defined as anyone under 18 years old, under the age of 18 who are unable to receive a vaccine in their home country are excepted exempt from the vaccination requirement.
Is a negative COVID-19 test required for admission by land or ferry?
NoUnlike travel by air, COVID-19 testing is still not currently presently required for land or ferry entrytravel regardless of citizenship. We expect that should this change in the future, an update announcement will be prominently posted on to DHS's Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals and Frequently Asked Questions pages.
Look for a new blog post right here as well if the policy now in place is amended yet again.
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