US travel rules for Brits have been updated for the UK to US travel for those who are fully vaccinated – we take a look at the travel restrictions and when US borders will open. In a huge boost for holidaymakers, the USA is reopening its borders to Brits for the first time in 18 months.
Until now, the US has kept its borders closed to anyone who had been in the UK within the previous 14 days, meaning holidays were on the cards including popular destinations like Orlando and New York.
The White House has now confirmed that all vaccinated passengers from the European Union and the UK will be able to enter the country from November. So, what does this mean for Brits’ USA holidays? We take a look at everything you need to know from entry rules to what happens when you return to the UK.
When will US borders open to the UK?
The borders are set to reopen to Brits who are fully vaccinated from early November. This also applies to any travelers who are arriving from the EU.
Can I travel to the USA for a holiday?
Fully vaccinated Brits can visit the USA without an essential reason, which means holidays are finally back on the cards. Unvaccinated Brits will not be able to enter the USA.
Are there flights between the UK and the USA at the moment?
Despite the travel restrictions, the US borders were open to American nationals, green card holders, and those with national interest exemptions.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both continue to operate a small number of flights between the UK and USA. The airlines also both have historically offered a number of routes to popular destinations such as New York, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, and more.
TUI also usually operates flights and holidays to the USA, but at the time of writing, it has canceled all holidays with non-TUI flights to the USA until October 9. It’s not yet clear whether this will remain the case following the White House announcement – we will share an update as soon as we have one.
What are the rules for travel from the US to the UK?
Currently, the USA is on the UK’s amber lists. This means that you’ll need to take a pre-departure test before heading to the UK, and then a PCR test on day two. Adults who are not fully vaccinated will also need to self-isolate for 10 days and take a second PCR test on day eight.
However, it’s worth noting that from October 4 the amber list will be scrapped. Countries will either be on the red list or a ‘rest of the world’ list – and since the US is amber, it’s likely to be on the latter.
This means that if you’re fully vaccinated, from later in October you won’t need to take a pre-departure test, and you’ll be able to opt for a lateral flow test instead of a PCR on day two. However if you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to self-isolate for up to 10 days and take PCR tests on days two and eight.