Presidential Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The health, safety, and welfare of exchange visitors and the American people remain among the Department’s highest priorities.  The White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced details of the new vaccination policy that will soon go into effect for international travelers arriving in the United States.  

Beginning November 8, 2021, all J-1 exchange visitor applicants (age 18 or older at the time of travel) will be required to show proof of vaccination prior to arrival in the United States, subject to limited exceptions.1  This global vaccine requirement coincides with the rescission of the travel restrictions established under Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, 10143, and 10199, related to the suspension of entry into the United States of persons physically present in Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/safely-resuming-travel-by-vaccine-requirement-and-rescission-of-travel-restrictions.html  

Frequently Asked Questions: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/covid-19-faqs-for-travel-to-the-us-information.html 

More information about the global vaccination requirement is available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html  

Qualifying COVID-19 vaccinations as well as details on exceptions and on applying for humanitarian waivers to this requirement can be found at the following website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html#faq-exceptions    

Exceptions for J-1 exchange visitors include:

Please see list of countries here: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/order-safe-travel/technical-instructions.html#anchor_1635183089047.   

White House Fact Sheet: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/25/fact-sheet-biden-administration-releases-additional-detail-for-implementing-a-safer-more-stringent-international-air-travel-system/