U.S. COVID-19 Testing Entry Requirements for International Travel

The accepted test types are:

• Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT),  for example:
  •  RT-PCR test
  •  LAMP test
  •  TMA test
•  Antigen test

Note: Antibody tests are not accepted.

Your test result must be documented (on paper or as an electronic copy) and must include all of the following:

1. Type of test (indicating NAAT or antigen test)
   
2.  Who issued the result (e.g. laboratory, healthcare entity, or telehealth service) and their contact information (for example, their phone number, fax number, or email address)
   
3. Date the test was date taken – A negative test result must show a COVID-19 test taken within 3 days before departure. A positive test result with documentation of recovery from COVID-19 must show a COVID-19 test taken within 3 months before travel.
   
4. Two (2) identifying pieces of personal information (full name plus one other identifier e.g. date of birth or passport number)
   
5. Test result (negative or positive result)

Learn more about approved tests on the CDC’s website, opens in a new window.

English and the language of the country where you are departing from, on a nonstop flight back to the U.S., are accepted languages. If you are connecting through another country before entering the U.S., and your test result is in your origin country’s language, please be aware that tests may be verified at your connection airport where your origin country’s language may not be spoken.  

Delta will make every effort to accommodate test results in other languages. To avoid any travel delays or having to pay to re-test, please make sure Delta agents are able to verify your test results.

If a customer is arriving on a direct flight to the U.S., the negative test must occur within 3 days of the direct flight’s departure.

If a customer’s itinerary includes one or more connecting flights, the negative test must occur within 3 days prior to the departure of the initial flight, and the connection time cannot exceed 24 hours.

For example: If a customer boards a flight in Berlin on Friday, Jan. 29 with a 14-hour layover in Amsterdam before a connecting flight to New York, the customer could take his or her COVID-19 test on Tuesday, Jan. 26 (3 days before the initial departure from Berlin).

Customers who have not completed a test and/or do not have a negative test result will not be allowed to board their flight to the U.S. in accordance with the CDC order.

To provide you with flexibility in your travel plans, you can modify or cancel your itinerary via MyTrips or on the Fly Delta app without incurring any change fees. Visit our Can I Cancel/Change My Flight Without Fees page for more details.

Customers who receive a positive test result will not be able to fly and are advised to follow the guidelines in the country where the test result was received. CDC guidelines, opens in a new window state that any customer who tests positive should self-isolate and delay travel to the U.S. until they have recovered from COVID-19.

Trip Protection, provided by Allianz Global Assistance, offers protection in a number of commonly covered travel situations. Certain, limited claim accommodations, opens in a new window, are also being made, such as if you get sick with COVID-19 and can’t fly. Already booked your flight? You may still be able to protect your trip on your My Trips page. Terms apply; coverage may vary in some countries or regions. Review full details.

As a reminder, Delta’s Health Acknowledgment requires that for the safety of our employees and other customers, customers must wait at least 10 days from receipt of a positive test result before commencing travel.

Yes. Customers who have received the COVID-19 vaccine must still present evidence of a negative test result taken within 3 days before travel and sign an attestation, confirming a negative result.

Proof of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine does not exempt customers from testing requirements or from Delta’s face mask policy. We appreciate everyone complying with the federal mask mandate.

Yes. Customers who have had a confirmed COVID-19 case within the past 90 days can travel to the U.S. if they present the positive test result (taken within 90 days before travel) and a letter from a licensed health provider or public health official stating the customer has been cleared for travel.

For more details on what is required, customers should review CDC’s order, opens in a new window.

Please keep in mind that Delta’s Health Acknowledgment at check-in requires that customers must wait at least 10 days from receipt of a positive test result before traveling again.

The required attestation form is a document certifying that you possess a negative COVID-19 test result taken within the past 3 days and do not have COVID-19. Customers without a completed and signed attestation form will be denied boarding in accordance with the CDC order.

If you are flying on a Delta partner airline-operated flight to the U.S., please complete and sign this attestation form instead. This will need to be printed and shown at boarding.

Documentation of tests results can be in paper or electronic form, customers can  sign and complete the attestation form electronically or print and complete a paper version. If you are flying on a Delta partner airline-operated flight, please print, complete and sign the paper attestation form in advance and take it to the airport. 

Customers will be asked for proof of their negative test result prior to departure and should retain their test results for possible inspection upon arrival in the U.S.

The below list includes those who are exempt from the testing requirement:

• Children under 2 
• Federal law enforcement and military personnel on orders  
• Customers returning from U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I) 

Additionally, for the negative test requirement does not apply to customers who recently had COVID-19 and can provide both a positive COVID-19 test result dated within 90 days prior to travel and a letter from a healthcare provider or a public health official that states they are cleared to travel.

We are continuously monitoring safety and security protocols to ensure you have the latest information for your destination's specific entry and exit requirements. 

We strongly encourage you to review the latest travel requirements and restrictions to learn more about current travel restrictions and for resources to help you arrive prepared. Please also confirm any requirements for connecting airport destinations if applicable to your itinerary.