Where Americans Can Travel Right Now, and What Tests Are Required
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
Nearly two years after the onset of COVID-19, travel is opening back up. Chances are good you’re eager to hop on a plane and get as far away from the home you’ve gotten to know far too well recently.
However, it is important to note that travel looks very different than it did pre-COVID. As a U.S. citizen, going to foreign countries isn’t as easy as it used to be, but it isn’t impossible.
To help you get that well-deserved vacation, we have put together all of the countries that currently allow American citizens to visit. Note the vaccine and testing requirements for each country.
Also, note that starting in November, unvaccinated travelers must have proof of a negative viral test within one day of travel, and take a second test upon returning home to the U.S. This used to be a negative test within three days of travel but is now one day for unvaccinated travels. If you are vaccinated, however, the three-day rule holds true for you.
In addition to that, the CDC recommends travelers get tested for COVID three to five days after returning to the states. They also recommend unvaccinated travelers self-quarantine for seven days after returning home.
Below is an alphabetical list of countries where U.S. citizens can travel, along with what COVID-19 testing is required. However, this information can change at any time, so be sure to refer to each country’s U.S. Embassy website for the most up-to-date information.
ALBANIA: You need a negative PCR or rapid PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
ARGENTINA: You need a negative LAMP, NAAT, or PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
ARMENIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
ARUBA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a test on arrival. You can also provide proof of recovery from COVID-19.
AUSTRIA: You need an antibody test or a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival or you need to be fully vaccinated. You can also provide a recovery certificate showing you recovered from COVID-19 within the last 180 days.
AZERBAIJAN: You must be vaccinated to travel here. You also need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a recovery certificate.
BAHAMAS: You need a negative LAMP, NAAT, antigen, PCR, or rapid PCR test 5 days prior to arrival. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
BAHRAIN: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
BANGLADESH: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
BELARUS: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
BELIZE: You need a negative RT PCR test 96 hours prior to arrival or a rapid PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival.
BENIN: You need a negative PCR test 96 hours prior to arrival.
BERMUDA: You need a negative RT PCR or rapid PRC test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
BOLIVIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
BONAIRE: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival and a negative rapid PCR test 24 hours prior to arrival if unvaccinated. If you are vaccinated, you need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival only.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
BOTSWANA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
BRAZIL: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. The country also accepts an antigen test taken 24 hours before arrival or proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS: You need a negative RT PCR test 120 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
BURKINA FASO: You need a negative PCR test 5 days prior to arrival.
CABO VERDE: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior or a negative rapid PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 or be fully vaccinated.
CANADA: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: You need a negative PCR test.
CHAD: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
CHILE: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
COLUMBIA: There is no test and no vaccination required.
COTE D’IVOIRE (IVORY COAST): You need a negative PCR test 120 hours prior to arrival.
CROATIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 or be fully vaccinated.
CUBA: There is no general tourism allowed here – family or work visits only. For that, you need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
CURACAO: You need a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival.
CYPRUS: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
CZECH REPUBLIC: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 or be fully vaccinated.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
DENMARK: There is no general tourism allowed here – family or work visits only. For that, you need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
DJIBOUTI: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
DOMINICA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 24 hours prior to arrival.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
DUBAI: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. This test must be official and printed – SMS certificates are not accepted.
ECUADOR: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a recovery certificate. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated.
EGYPT: You need a negative RT PCR test or a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. It is required that you have a stamp or a QR code from the issuing laboratory.
EL SALVADOR: You need a negative RT PCR, LAMP, NAAT, or molecular test 72 hours prior to arrival.
ETHIOPIA: You need a negative PCR test 120 hours prior to arrival. This test must be official and printed – SMS certificates are not accepted.
FAROE ISLANDS: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. If you are unvaccinated, you must quarantine upon arrival.
FIJI: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
FRANCE: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
FRENCH POLYNESIA: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
GABON: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
GAMBIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
GEORGIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
GERMANY: You must be fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
GHANA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
GREECE: You need a negative rapid PCR test or negative rapid antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival, or a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
GRENADA: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
GUADELOUPE: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
GUATEMALA: You need a negative antigen or a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated.
GUYANA: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
HAITI: You need a negative PCR test or negative antigen test 72 prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated.
HONDURAS: You need a negative PCR test, a rapid PCR test, or a positive antibody test 72 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated.
HONG KONG: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
ICELAND: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
IRAN: You need a negative RT PCR or NAAT test 96 hours prior to arrival. This test must come from a CLIA lab and you must present a CLIA certificate.
IRAQ: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
IRAQI KURDISTAN REGION: You need a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
IRELAND: You need a negative RT PRC or negative PCR 72 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
ISRAEL: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or you need to be fully vaccinated.
ITALY: You need a negative PCR test or negative antigen test 72 hours prior to arrival. If you are unvaccinated, you must quarantine for 5 days. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
JAMAICA: You need a negative PCR or negative antigen test 72 hours prior to arrival from a CLIA lab.
JORDAN: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
KENYA: You need a negative PCR test 96 hours prior to arrival. This test must come from a CLIA lab and you must present a CLIA certificate.
KOSOVO: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative rapid antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you have an antibody test from 30 days prior, if you are fully vaccinated, or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
LEBANON: You need a negative PCR test 96 hour prior to arrival, be fully vaccinated, or have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
LESOTHO: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
LIBERIA: You need a negative PCR test 96 hours prior to arrival.
LIBYA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
LITHUANIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
MALDIVES: You need a negative PCR test 96 hours prior to arrival.
MALI: You need a negative PCR test 5 days prior to arrival.
MARTINIQUE: You need a negative PCR test or negative antigen test 72 hours prior to arrival.
MAURITANIA: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
MEXICO: There are no tests required to enter the country, but some resorts may require them.
MOLDOVA: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival, a negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival, or a positive antibody test. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
MONACO: You need a negative PCR test or a negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
MONTENEGRO: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative rapid PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
MOROCCO: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival.
MOZAMBIQUE: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
NAMIBIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
NEPAL: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
NETHERLANDS: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR or NAAT test 72 hours prior to arrival as well as a negative rapid PCR test 24 hours prior to arrival. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
NICARAGUA: You need a negative RT PCR test or LAMP test 72 hours prior to arrival.
NIGER: You need a negative PCR test 5 days prior to arrival.
NIGERIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
NORTH MACEDONIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
OMAN: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 96 hours prior for long flights and 72 hours prior for short flights.
PAKISTAN: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
PANAMA: You need a negative PCR test or negative antigen test 72 hours prior to arrival or be fully vaccinated.
PARAGUAY: You need a negative RT PCR or NAAT test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 24 hours prior to arrival.
PERU: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 24 hours prior to arrival.
PORTUGAL: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative rapid PRC or rapid antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter with a digital vaccination certificate from the EU. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
QATAR: You need a negative RT PCR test, rapid PCR test, negative antigen test, or LAMP test 72 hours prior to arrival. This test must come from a CLIA lab. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated.
ROMANIA: Children aged 3-16 need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. Adults must be fully vaccinated or undergo a 10-day quarantine.
RWANDA: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
SABA: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
SAN MARINO: You need a negative PCR test or negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
SAUDI ARABIA: You need a negative RT PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival.
SENEGAL: You need a negative PCR test 5 days prior to arrival.
SERBIA: You need a negative PCR test or negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival.
SEYCHELLES: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
SINGAPORE: You need a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival. This test must be physician-issues – self-tests are not accepted.
SOUTH AFRICA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or quarantine at your own cost upon arrival.
SOUTH KOREA: You need a negative PCR test or LAMP test 72 hours prior to arrival.
SRI LANKA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
ST. MAARTEN: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival.
ST. BARTH (ST. BARTS): You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test 48 hours prior to arrival.
ST. EUSTATIUS: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative NAAT test 72 hours prior to arrival.
ST. LUCIA: You need a negative PCR test 5 days prior to arrival.
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
TAHITI: You need a negative RT PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative antigen test or LAMP test 48 hours prior to arrival.
TAJIKISTAN: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
TANZANIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
THAILAND: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
TOGO: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
TUNISIA: You need a negative PCR test with a QR code 72 hours prior to arrival.
TURKEY: You need a negative PCR test, rapid PCR test, or negative antigen test 72 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
TURKMENISTAN. You need a negative RT PCR test and a positive antibody test 72 hours prior to arrival.
TURKS AND CAICOS: You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
UGANDA: You need a negative PCR test 120 hours prior to arrival.
UKRAINE: You need a negative PCR test or negative antigen test 72 hours prior to arrival, or be fully vaccinated.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
UNITED KINGDOM: You need a negative RT PCR test, negative rapid PCR test, negative antigen, LAMP, or NAAT test 72 hours prior to arrival. You can also enter if you are fully vaccinated. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: You need a negative RT PCR test or negative antigen test from a CLIA lab 5 days prior to arrival. More information on the U.S. Embassy website.
UZBEKISTAN: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
VENEZUELA: You need a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to arrival.
ZAMBIA: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
ZIMBABWE: You need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or if you have a recovery certificate with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
These are the countries where Americans must be fully vaccinated to enter:
ANTIGUA and BARBUDA
BELGIUM
GREENLAND
ST. EUSTATIUS
ESTONIA (or proof of recovery)
GERMANY (or proof of recovery)
GRENADA
GUYANA (or proof of recovery)
LATVIA
MALTA (Has list of states it will accept tourists from)
NETHERLANDS (must also test)
MOROCCO (must also test)
SLOVENIA (or proof of recovery)
SPAIN (with QR Code)
SWEDEN
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (Must also test)
TURKS AND CAICOS (must also test)
VIETNAM
These are the countries that Americans are not permitted at all:
BULGARIA
NORWAY (with very few exceptions)
SWEDEN
