Change in the Vaccination Requirements for Entry into the US by Land and Ferry Terminals

As of January 22, 2022, all non-US citizens seeking to enter the US by land ports of entry (POEs) and ferry terminals will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and to provide corresponding proof of vaccination. The vaccination requirements for non-US citizens will apply whether the travel is for essential or non-essential reasons. The new rules are a departure from the previous policy, which allowed unvaccinated non-US citizens to enter by POE or ferry terminals provided their travel was for essential reasons.

As of January 22, 2022, all non-US citizens entering the US through a POE or ferry terminal should be ready to:

1. Verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status,
2. Provide proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination (see www.cdc.gov for vaccination guidelines),
3. Present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program Card or Enhanced Tribal Card, and
4. Present any other relevant documents requested by the CBP officer

Note:

• COVID-19 testing is not required for entry via a POE or ferry terminal
• The vaccination requirements described above do not apply to US citizens, US nationals and US Legal Permanent Residents

As always, please contact one of the immigration attorneys at Gee & Zhang, LLP in Houston for questions relating to your entry into the US by land or ferry terminal.