While overt travel bans like those we saw during the first Trump Administration (Trump 1.0) have not yet been implemented, we anticipate they could be introduced in the coming months. However, even prior to any actual bans, travel will continue to carry some inherent risk, which might be heightened based on one’s individual circumstances. The increased risk stems largely from the significant restrictions and increased scrutiny that travelers will be subject to at U.S. consulates and ports of entry based on the President’s directives requiring enhanced vetting and screening of all noncitizens seeking entry to the United States across agencies including the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Department of State (DOS).
Read MoreOverview of Biden Administration's New Vaccine Requirements
On October 25, 2021, the White House issued a new Presidential Proclamation announcing that the country-specific travel bans which have been in place since the Spring of 2020 would be rescinded effective November 8th, 2021. The bans will instead be replaced by new vaccine and testing requirements for international travelers coming to the United States. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of State subsequently released updated guidance and FAQs outlining the specifics of the new travel requirements, the details of which are summarized below.
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