While several nations, including much of Europe, remain closed to US travelers, a growing number of countries are reopening their borders to them.
Back in August, the US Department of State returned to its previous system of “country-specific levels of travel advice,” rating individual countries from levels 1-4 based on their current health and security situations. This decision aligns with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with advisories updated regularly as situations evolve. However, despite the removal of the sweeping travel ban and the gradual roll-out of the vaccine, the department warns: “we continue to recommend US citizens exercise caution when traveling abroad due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic.”
Canada and much of Europe, Asia, and Oceania are primarily off-limits to US travelers. Nevertheless, some countries have begun to relax their border restrictions and are now allowing US citizens to enter, provided they follow local public health guidelines. It is important to note that anyone aged two and over arriving in the US on an international flight must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. “If a passenger chooses not to present a test result or documentation of recovery, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger,” the CDC emphasizes. Passengers are also required to self-isolate upon return, regardless of their result.
According to the CDC: “Get tested again with a viral test 3-5 days after your trip and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.”
If you plan to travel, below is a list of where you can go now. However, this is not a complete list and rules are changing quickly. Travelers are encouraged to download the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) from the Department of State to receive travel and emergency alerts.
Albania
US travelers can visit Albania without the need to quarantine or present a negative COVID-19 test result, but they will be required to submit to health screening at the airport.
Anguilla
Travelers must pre-register their visit on the country’s tourism board website and present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken three to five days before travel. Airport health screening is in place, and US arrivals must complete a quarantine of at least 10 days.
Antigua and Barbuda
US travelers must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within seven days of their flight and are required to undergo quarantine. According to the US Embassy, the recommended quarantine period is 14 days but that may be reduced with a negative result from an approved COVID test.
Armenia
Armenia is open to US travelers who take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival or undergo testing upon arrival and self-isolate until results are received.
Aruba
Aruba is open to US travelers; however, those over 14 need to upload proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test result taken between 12 and 72 hours before flying. They can be tested upon arrival at the special airport facility but must quarantine at their place of stay until results are received.
The Bahamas
US visitors over the age of 10 must complete an online health visa and present a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken within five days of departure. Visitors also need mandatory medical insurance covering COVID-19 expenses.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is open to US travelers; however, those over 10 years must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours before travel and self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
Barbados
Barbados requires visitors over five years of age to present a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken within three days of departure. Visitors must also take a rapid antigen test upon arrival and quarantine at a designated hotel at their own expense.
Belize
Belize welcomes visitors who stay in hotels that are part of the Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program, meaning they meet enhanced health and safety regulations.
Bermuda
US citizens must present a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken no more than five days before departure.
Chile
US citizens are permitted to enter Chile but must show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of departure.
Colombia
US travelers are required to present negative results from a PCR test administered no more than 96 hours prior to departure.
Costa Rica
Travelers from the US don’t need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test and are not required to self-isolate or quarantine upon arrival.
Curaçao
The Dutch Caribbean island is open to US citizens; travelers must present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of arrival.
Djibouti
Travelers from the US must have an approved eVisa and present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight.
Dominica
US arrivals must submit a health questionnaire online and present a negative COVID-19 test result taken 24-72 hours prior to arrival.
Dominican Republic
Travelers are not required to present a negative test result to enter, but temperature checks are in place.
Ecuador
US travelers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 10 days ahead of travel.
Egypt
Travelers must present paper copies of a negative COVID-19 test taken no later than 96 hours before arrival.
El Salvador
US travelers must present a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken no more than 72 hours of departure.
Ethiopia
Visitors must present a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within 120 hours of boarding their flight.
Ghana
US citizens are required to present a negative COVID-19 test conducted no more than 72 hours before travel and undergo a second COVID test upon arrival.
Grenada
Visitors aged five and older must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
Guatemala
US travelers aged 10 and over are required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 96 hours before departure and fill out an immigration pre-check form and Health Pass before arrival.
Haiti
All international visitors must present a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding.
Honduras
Travelers must complete an immigration pre-check form and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken in the previous 72 hours.
Ireland
US travelers are required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland.
Jamaica
US travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test result to their airline before boarding.
Kenya
Travelers must obtain an e-visa and present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no later than 96 hours before arrival.
Lebanon
US travelers aged 12 and over must show a negative PCR test taken up to 96 hours before arrival.
Maldives
Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival.
Mexico
Land crossings between the US and Mexico are restricted for non-essential travel, but visitors can arrive by plane without a negative COVID-19 test.
Morocco
Morocco is open to travelers who have confirmed hotel reservations. Visitors aged 11 and over must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel.
Namibia
Namibia requires visitors aged five and over to present a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival that is not older than 7 days.
Nicaragua
A negative COVID-19 test result is required for entry and health screening procedures are in place at airports.
Panama
US travelers must present negative COVID-19 results from a test taken no more than 48 hours before travel.
Paraguay
Paraguay is open to US travelers who can present a negative PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of departure.
Peru
US travelers are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result or a medical certificate of epidemiological discharge that is no more than 72 hours old.
Rwanda
Travelers must complete a Passenger Locator Form and upload a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before their initial flight.
St Lucia
Visitors must complete a pre-arrival travel form and provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than five days before departure.
Sint Maarten
Visitors are required to present a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken within 120 hours of departure.
Senegal
US travelers over the age of two years must present negative PCR test on arrival taken no more than five days prior to departure.
Serbia
Serbia is open to US citizens, but they must fill out an online health assessment before traveling.
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of travel and may be retested on arrival.
South Korea
US citizens aged six and over must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained within 72 hours of their departure.
Tanzania
Travelers may be subjected to health screening and do not require a negative COVID test on entry.
Thailand
US citizens must present a negative COVID-19 result upon arrival from a test and quarantine for 14 days in an Alternative State Quarantine hotel.
Turkey
Travelers aged six and over arriving in Turkey will be required to complete an information form and present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure.
Turks and Caicos
Arrivals must obtain travel pre-authorization via the TCI Assured Portal before traveling.
Uganda
Passengers aged four and over must arrive with a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate for a test conducted within 120 hours prior to arrival in Uganda.
United Arab Emirates
All travelers from the US to the UAE aged 12 and over are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 96 hours of arrival.
United Kingdom
US citizens aged 11 and over must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days prior to arrival in the UK.
Zambia
US travelers can visit Zambia but are required to present negative COVID-19 test results.
This article was first published on September 22, 2020, and updated on February 28, 2021.
