New rules for entering the United States: answers to the most important questions

Starting tomorrow, January 26, all travelers bound for the United States will be required to carry a negative COVID-19 test result or documents proving that they have previously suffered COVID-19. Answers to frequently asked questions about the new rules of entry into the United States published US Embassy in Ukraine.

Where can I take the test?

The State Department website has references to institutionswhere you can take the test in the country from which you are traveling to the United States.

How many days do you need to take the test before entering the USA?

If you are arriving in the United States on a direct flight, your test must be done no more than 72 hours before departure your flight to the United States. If you are arriving in the United States with one or more connections, your test must be done no more than 72 hours before the first flight on your route departs, but only if the connections were booked as the same passenger route with a final destination in the United States, and breaks between transfers do not exceed 24 hours. If your connecting flight to the USA was booked as a separate flight, or if your flight is interrupted for more than 24 hours, or your journey is interrupted and you need to leave the airport, you need to do the test within three days of arriving in the United States.

What type of COVID-19 test should I take?

You need to take a virus test (NAAT or antigen test) to determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19.

Do test results need to be translated into English?

This question should be asked of the airline with which you will fly to the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires passengers arriving in the United States by air to carry a paper or electronic copy of the COVID-19 test result and provide it to airline officials for review before boarding. Upon arrival in the United States, this result must be submitted to health officials for review, but there is no indication as to the language of the document. Passengers will also have to confirm the validity of the result provided (wet stamp, QR code to go to the laboratory's website, or other confirming elements).

Do US visa applicants need to provide a negative test document for COVID-19 in order to obtain a visa?

So far, there are no changes in the conditions for granting visas to the United States.

If my flight is delayed en route to the United States and the three-day time limit expires, will I need to do the test again?

If your flight is delayed prior to departure (from the original point of departure), you will need to retest if the delay results in a failure to meet the three-day deadline. If the flight is delayed along the way (at an intermediate stage), this will not affect the validity of the test, unless you have to leave the airport terminal and the delay does not exceed 24 hours.

Does this requirement apply to those traveling through the United States in transit?

Yes. Any airline passenger traveling to the United States, even just to transfer to another flight, must have a negative test result with them.

If I am traveling to the United States from a country where the COVID-19 test cannot be done, can I take the test at the US Embassy or upon arrival in the States?

The US government does not provide such services. Information about testing abroad can be found at the website of the US Embassy in the respective country. You may also want to consider traveling to the United States through another country (city) to take an en route test.

I do not have the financial ability to pay for a COVID-19 test. Can the US Embassy / Consulate help me with payment?

Travelers must pay for testing themselves. If a US citizen finds himself in a difficult financial situation (without a livelihood) abroad, the Department of State may offer several types of limited assistance, if the person meets all the criteria for such cases. More information about this - here to register:.

Are there exceptions to this requirement or special circumstances where a traveler may not submit a negative COVID-19 test result?

Yes. You can view the list of exclusions at CDC website.

I recently took a COVID-19 test, tested negative and has been / has been quarantined ever since. Is this enough to travel to the USA?

If the three-day test period requirement is not met, you need to do the test again.

I have already been vaccinated against COVID-19. Do I need to submit a negative test, or can I provide a certificate of vaccination?

All air passengers traveling to the United States, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative test for COVID-19 or a document of recovery from the disease.

I am traveling with a baby. Does my child need a test?

All air passengers aged 2 years and older must have a negative test result with them. For children under 2 years of age, such a document is not required.