Entry ban, curfew, quarantine - the Coronavirus still keeps the world busy. Find out how you can still fly to the USA despite the entry ban and what effects the Corona crisis has on your ESTA!
You can still submit an ESTA application to us despite the current Corona crisis!
By decision of January 25th, 2021, US President Joe Biden has extended the corona-related travel ban for many countries. Therefore, it will begin again on January 26th, 2021.
The travel ban will apply to all countries in the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Brazil from January 26th, 2021.
Additionally, an entry ban for travelers from South Africa will go into effect on January 30th, 2021 at 12:01 AM EST. Existing travel bans for visitors from China as well as Iran will remain in place.
The rule that anyone who has been in a country affected by the travel ban within the 14 days prior to their planned entry into the US may not enter the country will remain. If you are from one of the banned areas but have stayed elsewhere for 14 days, you will not be affected by the travel ban.
Transits are also considered a stay in this context. You may only enter the US if you have stayed exclusively in areas not affected by the travel ban during the last 14 days.
Exceptions to the travel ban are still made for US citizens, Green Card holders, family members, and persons whose entry is of "national interest" to the US.
Note that as of January 26th, 2021, you must also present a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery to travel to the US.
Travel bans to the US have been imposed until further notice and will be reviewed by the US government every 30 days.
From Jan 26th, unless you are affected by the entry ban, you will be required to present either a negative COVID-19 test or a certification stating that you have already recovered from a COVID-19 illness before entering the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published precise guidelines.
The new Corona test rule affects all US travelers, whether US citizens, Green Card holders, visa holders, or ESTA travelers. Children under two years of age, crew members, and certain government and military personnel are exempt.
A submitted COVID-19 test must not be older than 72 hours. The time of departure is decisive here. Different rules may apply for connecting flights and connections over 24 hours, which can be found on the CDC website.
Instead of a negative COVID-19 test, you can also present proof that you have recovered from COVID-19. If neither is provided, airlines are encouraged to deny you boarding.
Evidence of a negative COVID-19 test must meet the following requirements:
If your flight is delayed so much that your test will be beyond the required 3-day period before departure, you will need to be retested.
Documents proving that you have already recovered from COVID-19 must meet the following requirements:
So far, no official language regulations have been communicated. Since the airlines are responsible for collecting passenger data, test results, and supporting documents, it is currently assumed that you can submit all documents in your local language.
For each traveler two years of age or older, a separate statement must be submitted. For those under the age of 18, documents may be submitted by immediate family members or through a legal guardian.
Nevertheless, the above requirements for documents regarding the form, dates, and age of a COVID-19 test also apply.
Your airline will ask you to complete a passenger certificate and take a test or submit all required documentation a few days before your flight.
Since processes vary from airline to airline, please follow the instructions on your airline's website or contact them directly.
Immunization currently does not save you from having to present a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of recovery before boarding your flight to the United States.
The travel ban for countries classified as high-risk areas has been extended until further notice, regardless of the new COVID-19 testing regulations.
As of January 26th, 2021, a new ban of entry into the US is in effect for travelers who have been in any of the following countries in the 14 days before their scheduled flight:
The entry ban applies to all non-Americans who wish to travel to the USA with a visa or visa-free with ESTA or who wish to transit through the USA to another country. However, Green Card holders are still allowed to enter the country!
The Corona travel ban has been extended by US President Joe Biden until further notice and will now be reviewed every 30 days.
Below you will find a list of all countries of the Schengen area which are affected by the entry ban to the USA in connection with the Corona crisis:
SCHENGEN AREA COUNTRIES |
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Germany | Hungary | Norway |
Austria | Iceland | Poland |
Czech Republic | Italy | Portugal |
Denmark | Latvia | Slovakia |
Estonia | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
Finland | Lithuania | Spain |
France | Luxembourg | Sweden |
Belgium | Malta | Switzerland |
Greece | The Netherlands |
|
The following groups of people are exempt from the Travel Ban and may continue to enter the USA:
However, if they have stayed in one of the countries affected by the travel ban 14 days prior to entering the USA, they must enter via one of 15 listed US airports. Upon arrival, they will be examined and, if corona is suspected, sent to a 14-day quarantine.
Yes, despite the entry ban, you can still submit an ESTA application for your future travel to the USA! Since the ESTA permit is generally valid for 2 years (or until the expiry date of your passport), you can also submit your ESTA application during the corona crisis without any problems.
Although many US authorities are currently closed and some processes take considerably longer, ESTA applications are still processed immediately, so that you will receive your entry permit after 72 hours at the latest!
Applying for the ESTA now, even if no USA trip is imminent, can be quite an advantage. As soon as the US entry ban is lifted, an onrush of ESTA applications can be expected, which may lead to delays in the entry permits.
Even if you are planning a US vacation for 2021, you could rest assured if you already hold your entry permit in your hands now! It also helps you avoid possible fee increases next year, or you could book a spontaneous flight at a discount price as soon as unrestricted travel is possible again!
The US entry ban for the above mentioned countries is not directly linked to the nationality of the traveller, but only to their stay in these countries. This means that tourists from Germany, for example, could visit a country that is not subject to the entry ban 2 weeks before their intended US entry and fly to the USA from there.
When booking a flight, please make sure that it is either a direct flight to the USA or that the country of the stopover is not affected by the entry ban! It would not be possible to stay in Croatia for 14 days and depart from there if you have to transfer at the Paris airport.
At present, for instance, there is a direct connection from Belgrade/Serbia to New York City (as of July 16, 2020). Some travellers have also chosen the route via Mexico and spent a two-week beach holiday in Cancun before flying on to the USA.
Even already approved ESTA for citizens from countries affected by the entry ban will not be denied retrospectively!
If, as described above, you wish to enter the USA via a detour, you should consult your airline beforehand. The airline should correctly inform the US authorities that you have already been in the selected country of departure 14 days before your flight to the USA. Otherwise, the US authorities would declare your existing ESTA invalid if they suspect a violation of the entry ban.
Please also keep in mind that the final decision on entry into the USA is always made by the responsible US border official on site - regardless of the current situation.
Since March 18, 2020, ESTA travelers can apply for a status extension at the USCIS based on a special arrangement, if all of the following points apply:
If all of this applies to you, the ESTA status can then be extended for a maximum of 30 days (except in cases of serious illness).
Anyone staying in the USA longer than officially permitted will be excluded from visa-free entry with ESTA forever!
If you are currently in the USA with an ESTA and cannot leave the country for an important reason, please contact the USCIS by phone for further instructions: 800-375-5283. All USCIS offices are currently closed to the general public!
IMPORTANT: You must be able to provide written proof of the cancellation of your flight or possible health reasons!
In mid-March, former President Trump declared a national emergency, and several states imposed lockdowns. Public life came to a complete standstill due to the closure of restaurants, casinos, theaters, etc. Public schools were also closed nationwide, and almost all universities and colleges switched to online courses.
In recent months, however, most corona restrictions have been relaxed again in all states. Individual states such as Florida, Texas, California, and Arizona, where the coronavirus subsequently spread rapidly again, reversed many of the relaxations. In contrast, the situation has improved in the former hotspot New York and the capital Washington D.C..
The USA remains the country most affected by the Coronavirus worldwide.
Since the current situation in the USA is very dynamic, it is not possible to make any general statements on individual states and their restrictions!
Furthermore, you should check whether the Foreign Office in your home country has issued any travel warning for the USA, as it could affect your possible travel insurance cover.
Due to the dynamic situation and the recent increase in the number of cases in the USA, no reliable predictions can be made at present. However, just like in many other countries, the rate of new infections is evaluated at regular intervals, so in case of a positive development the US entry ban may be lifted spontaneously.
We keep you up to date on this site and will inform you immediately about any changes regarding the travel restrictions!