For the past few months, border restrictions have largely dictated where travelers can and cannot go. With many tourist attractions scattered across the country, the United States is usually a sought-after destination, especially during the summertime. More importantly at a time like this, international relationships and families have faced challenges in reuniting.
However, the country has certain travel restrictions in place “help slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019” as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states on its website. However, there are certain circumstances under which you can enter the country, here’s what we’ve found.
List of banned countries
As of July 17th, the CDC’s website has the following to say about foreigners entering the United States:
With specific exceptions, foreign nationals who have been in any of the following countries during the past 14 days may not enter the United States:
China
Iran
European Schengen area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City)
United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
Republic of Ireland
Brazil
Exceptions to the travel bans
Naturally, citizens of the United States are not subject to these bans. Proclamations also provide exceptions to the restrictions for lawful permanent residents of the United States.
Some exceptions include the following according to available government information:
- Foreign diplomats traveling to the United States on A or G visas
- Certain family members of US citizens or lawful permanent residents including; spouses, children (under the age of 21), parents (provided that his/her US citizen or lawful permanent resident child is unmarried and under the age of 21), and siblings (provided that both the sibling and the US citizen or lawful permanent resident are unmarried and under the age of 21).
- There is also an exception for air and sea crew traveling to the United States on C, D or C1/D visas.
- Any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees.
There are more exceptions, which may vary from country to country.
What about other countries?
Looking at the official government website, it would lead most to believe that all other countries not on the list should be eligible for entry (pending the proper visa approvals). Just in case, we’ve contacted the CDC to verify that this is indeed the case.
If this is, in fact, true, then if you live in – or have been to any of the prohibited countries listed above, then one could conceivably spend 14 days in a permissible country first, and then continue on to the United States.
A call to Air Canada’s customer service line will result in first hearing a message saying:
“Are you eager to reunite with friends and relatives in the US? Did you know that Canadians are permitted to travel by air to and from the US for leisure or business?”
This message would at least confirm that Canadians are allowed into the country for non-essential purposes.
A word of warning
Of course, if you are following current events, you should note that many parts of the United States do not have their coronavirus situations under control. Arriving in some states will require a 14-day quarantine on arrival.
Furthermore, returning to your home country will likely result in a mandatory 14-day quarantine as well – which is less than ideal.
Are you eager to visit the United States soon? Let us know in the comments.
As the CDC did not respond to our inquiry before the time of publication, we will update this article if we receive a response from the organization.
