Important Updates
Important Updates
July 1, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Residence Permits Extended
July 2, 2025 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
July 2, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
July 2, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Statement of Changes Creates Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes
July 1, 2025 | PolandPoland: Single Permit Eligibility Limited  
July 1, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Residence Permits Extended
July 2, 2025 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
July 2, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
July 2, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Statement of Changes Creates Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes
July 1, 2025 | PolandPoland: Single Permit Eligibility Limited  
July 1, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Residence Permits Extended
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

United States: Starting November 8, Nonessential Travel Permitted for Fully Vaccinated Foreign Nationals Across Canada/Mexico Land Borders

October 29, 2021

insight-news-default

Countries / Territories

  • United StatesUnited States
  • CanadaCanada
  • MexicoMexico

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a glance

  • Starting November 8, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will allow foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine and have acceptable proof of vaccination to enter the United States from Canada or Mexico by land or ferry for “non-essential” activities such as tourism and personal visits. Children under 18 are exempt from the new vaccine requirement.
  • The existing COVID ban on non-essential travel by land and ferry will remain in place for unvaccinated foreign nationals until at least January 21, 2022.
  • Foreign nationals entering through a land border or ferry terminal for essential purposes – which include work and business travel – will not be subject to vaccination requirements until sometime in January 2022.

The issue

Starting on November 8, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will allow foreign nationals to enter the United States through a Canada or Mexico land border or ferry terminal for “non-essential travel,” as long as they have been fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Non-essential foreign national border travel – which includes tourism and personal visits – has been banned since March 2020 due to the COVID emergency. The new policy lifts this restriction for fully vaccinated foreign nationals only; unvaccinated foreign nationals will still be barred from engaging in nonessential land border travel through at least January 21, 2022.  Children under 18, however, will not be required to obtain a vaccine in order to begin non-essential travel on November 8. U.S. lawful permanent residents are not subject to the land/ferry vaccination requirement.

According to DHS, sometime in January 2022, the agency will expand the border vaccination requirement to include foreign nationals engaged in border travel for “essential” purposes like business visits and work. Until then, nonimmigrants seeking to enter the United States via land border or ferry for business and work need not be vaccinated in order to enter. “Essential travel” also includes travel to attend school, for medical purposes, or for other purposes as determined by U.S. border officials on a case by case basis.

Implementation of the vaccine requirement for non-essential travel

As expected, DHS is implementing the first phase of its new border travel vaccination policy in conjunction with the new international air travel vaccination requirements, which also take effect on November 8. The accepted vaccines and documentation requirements in the DHS border travel policy mirror the new air travel policy as follows:

  • Accepted vaccines are those listed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. As of October 29, 2021, accepted vaccines are Janssen/J&J, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Covishield, BIBP/Sinopharm, and Sinovac. All vaccines except for Janssen/J&J are listed as a two-dose series.
  • An individual is considered “Fully vaccinated” 14 days after the last dose in a vaccine series, with “mix and match” vaccines permitted if both vaccines are on the approved list and are administered at least 17 days apart.
  • Acceptable proof of COVID vaccination can be either verifiable or non-verifiable paper or digital records as long as the requisite personal and vaccination information is listed on the record, according to CDC standards.

Unlike the forthcoming international air travel policy, there is no COVID testing requirement to cross land borders and ferry terminals into the United States.

What happens at the border

Foreign nationals seeking to engage in border travel for non-essential purposes on or after November 8 will be required to:

  • Provide accepted proof of COVID vaccination, as defined by the CDC; and
  • Verbally attest to their reason for travel and vaccination status during a border inspection.

There will be no written attestation or contact tracing as are included in the international air travel policy.

What the new policy will mean for foreign nationals

Foreign nationals who have been barred from entering the United States for tourism and personal visits over land and ferry borders since March 2020 will be able to take these trips starting on November 8 if they can show proof of full vaccination. However, DHS warns that travel volume is expected to increase, so travelers are likely to see longer lines and waits at land border crossings and ferry terminals.

Under the border restrictions that remain in place, land border and ferry travel for work and business is considered “essential” and is therefore permitted without vaccination. Starting in January 2022, however, foreign nationals traveling to the United States for work and business, including those traveling on H, L, O, and B visas and under the Visa Waiver Program, will be required to show full COVID vaccination in order to enter the United States after land or ferry travel. Obtaining an accepted COVID vaccine in the coming months may prevent foreign national travel delays in the new year.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Countries / Territories

  • United StatesUnited States
  • CanadaCanada
  • MexicoMexico

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • U.S. Immigration in the Biden Administration

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the Saudi Real Estate Market: What Expats Need to Know

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

Navigating the UAE Corporate Landscape: A Strategic Guide for Startups and Entrepreneurs

This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechRound: Experts Share: How Will The Global Talent Visa Help The Startup Industry?

Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: 25 Years Ago New Immigrants to Canada Told Us Their Dreams. We Checked In to See How They’ve Fared

Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Awards

Silicon Valley Business Journal Recognizes Partner Cindy Jen Among 2025 Women of Influence

Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 LAR and Canada Immigration Trends: Balancing Control and Opportunity

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.

Learn more

Blog post

The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the Saudi Real Estate Market: What Expats Need to Know

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

Navigating the UAE Corporate Landscape: A Strategic Guide for Startups and Entrepreneurs

This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechRound: Experts Share: How Will The Global Talent Visa Help The Startup Industry?

Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: 25 Years Ago New Immigrants to Canada Told Us Their Dreams. We Checked In to See How They’ve Fared

Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Awards

Silicon Valley Business Journal Recognizes Partner Cindy Jen Among 2025 Women of Influence

Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 LAR and Canada Immigration Trends: Balancing Control and Opportunity

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.