The change took effect June 12; previously, any traveler at least two years old needed a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 24 hours prior to boarding their flight.

The move is expected to create a surge in international inbound travel to the U.S., which has been in a slump. According to the U.S. Travel Association, eliminating the pre-departure testing requirement could bring an additional 5.4 million visitors to the US and an additional $9 billion in travel spending through the remainder of 2022.

The travel industry had lobbied for months against the restriction, which had been in place since January 2021. Currently, international U.S. air travel remains down about 15% from pre-pandemic levels.

The decision will be reassessed in 90 days, and the Centre for Disease Control plans to evaluate it on an ongoing basis. The United States will still require foreign tourists to present proof of being fully vaccinated.

A number of other countries, including Australia, Singapore, and India had already dropped pre-departure testing requirements for fully vaccinated visitors.

Requirements for travellers entering the U.S. by land or ferry remain unchanged: non-U.S. citizens, nationals and permanent residents can only enter if they are fully vaccinated. There is no testing requirement for land ports or ferry terminals.