What do the three colours of the UK’s ‘Traffic Light System’ for travel mean?

Red: You must pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests upon return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). Amber: You will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test, and two PCR tests on return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). Optionally you can take a test on Day 5 (Test to Release) to leave quarantine early. Green: You will not need to quarantine on return, but you must take a pre-departure test, and a PCR test on return to the UK on Day 2.

How will the government decide which countries go on the green, amber or red lists?

Countries are assigned to the three lists, based on a range of Covid-19 health metrics, which include figures on population vaccination, infection rates and prevalence of variants. The different traffic light colours indicate the risk in each destination and the associated tests and quarantine periods required. Lists are reassessed every three weeks, to account for changes in each country’s COVID-19 situation.

United States

Travel Restrictions

Updated:

20/7/2021

Reviewed: Current

Can You Travel To United States?

Foreign Nationals, Partners to Foreign Nationals, Permanent Residence Holders, Passengers with pre-approval for entry

Test Requirements

PCR, lab-Antigen

Test window

1 days

Quarantine required and quarantine length

Yes 14 days

Do children need to be tested?

Testing is required, except for children under the age of 2 years old.

United States COVID-19 Entry Requirements

All international arrivals to the US are required to present a negative PCR or Antigen test, no older than one day. Either test must be performed by a lab. Proof of vaccination is also required.

Can You Travel To United States?

Land borders with Canada and Mexico are now open to fully vaccinated individuals. Air travel is prohibited from certain origins. Domestic restrictions vary between states.

Free antigen tests are available for American citizens.

Vaccinated arrivals from any country can enter as tourists.

There is no federal requirement to quarantine when entering the United States.

Some states have imposed this as a requirement, while others don't require or recommend any quarantine.

Public transportation in most states is operating with some health regulations in place.

Rules and regulations regarding the opening of restaurants and bars vary between states and depend on risk assessment.

Rules and regulations regarding the opening of businesses and attractions vary between states and depend on risk assessment.

In the District of Columbia, a proof of vaccination is required to enter some facilities.

Face masks are required in public places in some states.

Returning to the UK from United States?

Travellers who have not been vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or by another approved vaccination programme at least 14 days ago, will be required to take a pre-departure test before arriving in the UK (a Return PCR or Antigen Fit to Fly test), and a PCR test on return to the UK (Day 2). Quarantine is not required unless you receive a positive PCR test result.

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Please note that fully vaccinated arrivals are no longer required to take a pre-departure test or a Day 2 PCR test on return to the UK.

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What vaccination programmes are recognised in the UK?

The UK continues to recognise vaccination programmes from the UK, EU, and USA. As of October 4, the UK recognises vaccination certificates with a full course of the Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna or Janssen vaccines from a relevant public health body in Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Dominica, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan or the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Formulations of the 4 listed vaccines, such as AstraZeneca Covishield, AstraZeneca Vaxzevria and Moderna Takeda, qualify as approved vaccines.

You must have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive in England.

Where 2 doses of a vaccine are required for a full course, you will be able to mix 2 different types of vaccine, for example Oxford/AstraZeneca and Moderna. You are also allowed to have the 2 vaccinations under 2 different approved programmes, for example Australia and Japan, UK and USA, EU and Canada.

Will I need a PCR Fit to Fly Certificate to travel to

United States

The PCR test is the gold standard for testing coronavirus and so is recommended for travel to all countries. For United States, PCR Fit to Fly Certificates are accepted, alternatively you can travel with an Antigen Fit to Fly Certificate.

Will I need an Antigen Fit to Fly Certificate to travel to

United States

While the PCR test is the gold standard for testing coronavirus and so is recommended for travel to all countries. For United States, PCR Fit to Fly Certificates and Antigen Fit to Fly Certificate can both be used to enter.

Will I need a Day 2 test or Day 2 and 8 when I return to the UK?

United States is currently open for travel, this means that you will need a Day 2 PCR test. You will need to buy this before you travel to the UK and use the reference code on your passenger location form. You do not need to quarantine on arrival unless you test positive. Please note that the travel restrictions are subject to change at very short notice. If you have not been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or other accepted vaccination program at least 14 days ago, you will also need to book a Day 8 test before you return to the UK.

I’m vaccinated, what tests do I need?

United States is currently open for travel, this means that you will need a Day 2 PCR test, even though you are double vaccinated. You will need to buy this before you travel to the UK and use the reference code on your passenger location form. You do not need to quarantine on arrival unless you test positive. Please note that the travel restrictions are subject to change at very short notice.

Can I enter

destination

with a double vaccination certificate?

United States does not accept vaccination as an entry requirement and so you will need to provide a PCR or Antigen Fit to Fly Certificate

What happens if I have visited another country before flying back to the UK from

United States

The government advice for passengers travelling from United States is that if you have visited another country in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK that is a higher risk than United States, you must follow the travel guidance for the highest risk country you visited.

What else will I need to return to the UK?

If you have not been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or other accepted vaccination program at least 14 days ago, for all countries, including United States, you will need to take an Antigen Fit to Fly test before departing for the UK. This can be bought at Corona Test Centre’s to take with you on your travels.

Where can I find the latest news related to travel and COVID-19 to

United States

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United States

Travel Restrictions

United States COVID-19 Entry Requirements

Can You Travel To United States?

Returning to the UK from United States?

Get tests for your trip to United States

FAQs

What vaccination programmes are recognised in the UK?

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