US government makes new Covid-19 travel rules, makes exceptions for Ghana
The US government has announced new Covid-19 travel rules for individuals wanting to travel into the United States of America (USA).
The new travel rules made by the Joe Biden Administration came into full effect on Monday, November 8, 2021.
The new Covid-19 travel rules, however, come with limited exceptions for some countries including Ghana.
Under the exception, which will be reviewed every 90 days, unvaccinated travelers may enter [the USA] with non-tourist visas using their Ghanaian passport but will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test administered within one day of travel to the United States before boarding.
There is however, no exception for Ghanaian tourist and business travelers (B1/B2). Ghanaian tourist and business travelers using any “B” visa must show proof of full vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test administered within three days of departure.
The US Embassy in Ghana asserts in a press release that the new travel rules will protect public health while providing consistent guidance around the world.
Read below details of the press release announcing the US’ new travel rules for Covid-19:
New COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements Take Effect November 8 for Travel to the United States
Accra, Ghana – New rules for travel to the United States go into effect for flights departing on Monday, November 8, 2021. The rules released by the Biden Administration for travel to the United States will protect public health, while providing consistent guidance around the world. With limited exceptions, travelers to the United States must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Biden Administration has allowed for a limited exception for some countries including Ghana. Under this exception, which will be reviewed every 90 days, unvaccinated travelers may enter with non-tourist visas using their Ghanaian passport but will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test administered within one day of travel to the United States before boarding.
There is no exception for Ghanaian tourist and business travelers (B1/B2). Ghanaian tourist and business travelers using any “B” visa must show proof of full vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test administered within three days of departure.
For flights departing to the United States at or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (5:01 a.m. GMT), November 8, fully vaccinated air travelers will be required to show documentation of their vaccination status and a negative COVID-19 test taken within three calendar days of travel to the United States before boarding.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that for the purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include those approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as vaccines with an emergency use listing from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Children between the ages of 2 and 17 are not required to be vaccinated but must have a pre-departure COVID-19 test. If a child is traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, proof of a negative COVID-19 test from a sample taken within three days before departure is required (consistent with the timeline for fully vaccinated adults).
If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, proof of a negative COVID-19 test from a sample taken within one day of departure is required. While children under two years of age are excepted from the testing requirement, CDC recommends a pre-departure test for these children whenever possible.
U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are otherwise eligible to travel but are not fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test administered one day before their flight’s departure.
Pandemic-related closures created a significant buildup of demand for all types of visas worldwide. The U.S. Embassy in Ghana continues working to answer this demand as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of our staff and applicants. Visa appointments are allocated according to the Department’s worldwide prioritization guidance.
For more information, see:
https://gh.usembassy.gov/ghana-covid-19-information/
| Fully Vaccinated | Not Fully Vaccinated | |
| Traveling on a Ghanaian passport (all but B1/B2 visas) | May travel with proof of full vaccination and negative COVID-19 test administered within three days of departure | For all but tourism and business travel, may travel with proof of negative COVID-19 test administered within one day of departure |
| B1/B2 Visa Holder traveling on a Ghanaian passport | May travel with proof of full vaccination and negative COVID-19 test administered within three days of departure | May not travel |
| U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents | May travel with proof of full vaccination and negative COVID-19 test within three days of departure | May travel with proof of negative COVID-19 test administered within one day of departure |
| Children Age 2 to 17 | Traveling with vaccinated adult: May travel with proof of negative COVID-19 test administered within three days of departure. | Traveling alone or with unvaccinated adult: May travel with proof of negative COVID-19 test administered within one day of departure |
