Traveling To The Us: Green List And Entry Requirements

The green list is a classification of countries that are safe to travel to, according to the UK's traffic light system. Countries on the green list do not require travellers to quarantine on their return. As of May 2021, the USA was not on the green list for travel, it was on the amber list. The US has also not formulated a green list of countries for inbound travel, but it does classify countries under four levels according to their COVID-19 risk assessment.

The US is on Qatar's green list

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Qatar has also created an Exceptional Red List, which currently includes India, the Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kenya, and Sudan. This list is based on international and local health risk indicators and the epidemiology of COVID-19 in these countries.

The US Embassy in Qatar recommends that all US citizens in Qatar monitor changes in policies and review them before travelling. This can be done by following the MOPH on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, or by visiting their website. Additionally, the MOPH has announced a reduction in the fixed price of a PCR test to 160 Qatari Rials.

The US is not on the UK's green list

The green list and amber list were removed from Monday 4 October 2021 in favour of a simple red list and non-red list system. All travel restrictions were removed in the UK on Friday 18 March 2022, meaning travellers do not need to test, quarantine or fill in a passenger locator form, regardless of their vaccination status. However, it is still important to remember that travellers must follow the rules for other countries, which may include proof of vaccination and a passenger locator form, with some countries still requesting a negative PCR test before entry.

The US has a 4-level COVID-19 risk assessment

As of April 2022, the UK no longer has a green list for travel, having scrapped the traffic light system in favour of a simplified system with a single red list and non-red list. However, the US does have a 4-level COVID-19 risk assessment system.

The US 4-level COVID-19 risk assessment system is based on the current infection levels and safety of a country. Countries listed under "Level 1" have low infection levels, and the US government advises travellers to get fully vaccinated before travelling to such countries. As of November 2021, the following countries/territories were listed under Level 1:

• Micronesia, Federated States of
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon

It is important to note that travel requirements and restrictions can change frequently, so it is always a good idea to check the latest information before planning any international travel.

In addition to the 4-level COVID-19 risk assessment, the US also has specific requirements for entry into the country. Non-US citizens and non-US immigrants must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19. They must also wear masks in indoor areas of public transportation and transportation hubs.

The US accepts any FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization. The definition of "fully vaccinated" may vary depending on the type of vaccine and the number of doses received. For example, for a single-dose vaccine, an individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the dose.

Furthermore, the US has quarantine requirements based on an individual's vaccination status. Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to quarantine but should monitor their symptoms and get tested 3-5 days after travel. On the other hand, travellers who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if they test negative. They should also avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days.

The US approves any FDA-authorized vaccine for entry

The US does not have a green list for travel. Instead, the country has classified countries under four levels according to the COVID-19 risk assessment. However, the US approves any FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization for entry to the country.

US Entry Requirements

If you are a non-US citizen or non-US immigrant and plan to travel to the US by air, you must be fully vaccinated. Only limited exceptions apply. You must also show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19. The timing of this test depends on your vaccination status and age.

Vaccination Criteria

You are considered fully vaccinated if:

• 2 weeks (14 days) have passed after your dose of an accepted single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
• 2 weeks (14 days) have passed after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series COVID-19 vaccine.
• 2 weeks (14 days) have passed after you received the full series of an “active” (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the US-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials.
• 2 weeks (14 days) have passed after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

Testing Requirements

If you plan to travel to the US by air, you will need to get a COVID-19 viral test (regardless of vaccination status) beforehand. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. For fully vaccinated travellers, the test must be conducted no more than 3 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country. For partially vaccinated travellers, the test must be conducted no more than 1 day before the flight’s departure from a foreign country.

Quarantine Requirements

Quarantine rules vary depending on your vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated, you need not quarantine but you should:

• Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel. If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
• Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you must:

• Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
• Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
• If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
• If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
• Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
• Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.

The US requires a negative COVID-19 test result for entry

The type of viral test required could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Rapid tests are also acceptable as long as they are viral tests. This includes:

• Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
• Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
• Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
• Nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR)
• Helicase-dependent amplification (HDA)

These requirements do not apply to travellers entering the US by land or ferry, only by air. From June 12, 2022, vaccinated foreign travellers entering the US by air are no longer required to have a pre-departure COVID-19 test. However, persons who are not US citizens, permanent residents, or US nationals can only enter the US if they are fully vaccinated, with limited exceptions.

The US approves any FDA-authorised vaccine or a vaccine authorised for emergency use by the World Health Organization for entry into the country. Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after receiving the full series of an accepted vaccine.

Frequently asked questions