The U.S. will lift restrictions on fully-vaccinated international travelers who enter the country by air or land beginning Nov. 8, a White House assistant press secretary confirmed Friday.
Kevin Munoz confirmed the impending policy change in a tweet on Friday, Oct. 15.
The US’ new travel policy that requires vaccination for foreign national travelers to the United States will begin on Nov 8. This announcement and date applies to both international air travel and land travel. This policy is guided by public health, stringent, and consistent. https://t.co/uaDiVrjtqi
— Kevin Munoz (@KMunoz46) October 15, 2021
Earlier in October, the Biden administration confirmed that it would open international borders to non-essential travel starting in November, though it did not provide a specific date. At that time, The Associated Press reported that upon lifting restrictions U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers would discreetly ask some travelers to provide proof of vaccination when entering the country.
On Nov. 5, U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins tweeted that he'd been advised that the U.S. border would reopen to Canadians at 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov. 8.
We have been advised that the U.S. border will reopen to Canadians at 12:01AM on Monday, November 8, 2021 (Whirlpool Bridge remains Nexus-only with a 7:00 a.m. opening). Further guidance from CBP here: https://t.co/4ekPMnm1Hc
— Brian Higgins (@RepBrianHiggins) November 5, 2021
Non-essential travel into the U.S. from Canadian and Mexican border checkpoints has been closed since March 2020. While Canada has already reopened non-essential travel to those seeking to enter from the U.S., the White House has thus far held off on easing restrictions.
The Biden administration's reluctance to lift restrictions has ruffled feathers internationally. In September, the European Union re-imposed travel restrictions on Americans entering the bloc. The New York Times reports that European leaders at the time were "frustrated" with the "lack of reciprocity" from the U.S.