CBP Lifts Border Travel Restrictions for Mexico and Canada

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has lifted the non-essential travel restrictions that were in place at the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico land borders since early in the pandemic. This broad travel restriction is replaced by a requirement that travelers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to request admission at either land border or via a ferry terminal.

Lifting of Restrictions

The restrictions were initially lifted on November 8, 2021, but the notice of this was not officially published in the Federal Register until December 23, 2021. Under the new rule, a non-essential traveler arriving at a U.S. land port of entry or ferry terminal along the U.S.-Mexico or U.S.-Canada border has been required to present proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 and to verbally attest to vaccination status and reason for travel. Essential travelers were permitted to enter without having to be vaccinated. However, as of January 2022, both essential and non-essential travelers generally must provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Conclusion

The lifting of travel restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders should make commuting to the U.S. less burdensome. With the recent spike in COVID infections in the United States, however, it is always possible new travel restrictions may be imposed.

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