On January 12, 2021, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) issued an order requiring all air passengers arriving in the US from a foreign country to be tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This order will go into effect on January 26, 2021, and the CDC has posted an FAQ page which explains the new requirement.
This new requirement is in addition to the existing physical presence bans limiting travel from certain countries. Students from Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland can still enter the United States with proof of a negative COVID-19 test if they are F-1 students or J-1 students who have obtained a national interest exception (NIE).
Last updated 1/13/2021