UPDATED 10/21/2021: US Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection has extended the restrictions on “non-essential travel” across the land borders between Canada and the US, and between Mexico and the US. Notices were published in the Federal Register, indicating that the non-essential travel restrictions will remain in place until January 21, 2022. These travel restrictions have been in place since March 20, 2020, and have been extended numerous times, in one-month increments.
The Secretary of Homeland Security has announced the intention to lift these limitations for individuals who are fully vaccinated to align with planned changes to international air travel. No effective date for this lifting of restrictions has yet to be officially published, but we will post as soon as new information becomes available.
See the Federal Register Notice on the U.S.-Canada travel restrictions.
See the Federal Register Notice on the U.S.-Mexico travel restrictions.
As always, please consult an advisor in the International Scholars Office (ISchO) with questions related to scholar travel/entry/reentry. Scholars should consult the ISchO before traveling outside the US. In the original announcement released by USDHS on March 20, 2020, “Non-Essential” is defined in the notice as including “travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.” The announcement does not reference entering the U.S. as a student, scholar, or worker. It is important to discuss travel plans with the ISchO and prepare any documentation that might be needed to show immigration authorities at the port of entry