US Announces New Requirements for International Air Travellers in Updated Advisory

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States has issued an updated travel advisory for all airlines and other aircraft operators, instructing them to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all non-U.S. citizens and nonimmigrant air passengers before boarding a flight from a foreign country to the United States.

US New Travel Requirements

An order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reads, “As directed by the TSA, including through a security directive or emergency amendment, all airlines and other aircraft operators must additionally confirm one of the following for each noncitizen who is a nonimmigrant passenger prior to their boarding a flight to the United States from a foreign country:”

1. Proof of being Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19; or
2. Proof of being excepted from the requirement to be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19.

After the advisory issued by the TSA, Indian full-service carrier Air India has also issued an update regarding the same and said; “All passengers travelling to the US are required to follow the travel guidelines issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) effective from 00:01 EST (05:01) GMT & 10:30 IST, from 9th January 2023.”

1. Present a paper or digital documentation of proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19, consistent with the CDC Order and technical instructions including personal identifiers.

2. Present documentation proving that they are an excepted covered individual, under the proclamation and the CDC Order as further explained in the CDC Technical Instructions.

3. Each covered individual needs to provide an attestation that has been completed in compliance with the CDC Order. For more details, Amended Order

Furthermore, as required by the TSA, all airlines or other aircraft operators must collect the passenger attestation on behalf of the U.S. Government. The attestation form for the proof of vaccination for Noncitizens and Nonimmigrants passengers can be downloaded from the link below;

Exemptions

Proof of vaccination for COVID-19 is not necessary for airline or aircraft crew members when they are travelling for the purpose of operating or repositioning the aircraft, as long as they are following their employer’s occupational health and safety program that adheres to industry standard protocols and CDC guidelines.

Additionally, children under 2 years of age are not required to provide proof of vaccination, and airlines or aircraft operators may allow them to board without an attestation.