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Updated January 2023
As the world is healing and the travel restrictions are lifted, many travellers are looking forward to fulfilling their wanderlust. How about the United States? Can you still travel to the US from Pakistan, and what are the entry requirements? Read further to know more about the latest travel restrictions of US for Pakistani.
Can I travel from Pakistan to the USA?
Yes, vaccinated Pakistani can travel to the USA as of now. Fully vaccinated travellers must have a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing a full vaccination course.
Before travelling to the USA
Unvaccinated passengers have to present a proof of test that is taken no more than 72 hours before the departure
Those who have recovered from COVID-19 in the three months preceding travel are exempt from the test. However, they’ll have to show the documentation of recovery, that is-
- documentation of your positive viral test results
- a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel
Acceptable COVID-19 tests
Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).
Examples of available NAATs for SARS-CoV-2 include but are not restricted to:
- reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
- reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
- transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
- nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR)
- helicase-dependent amplification (HDA)
The test used must be authorized for use by the relevant national authority for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country where the test is administered.
Rapid tests are acceptable as long as they are viral tests acceptable under the above criteria.
Test results
A test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy). The documentation must include:
- Type of test (indicating it is a NAAT or antigen test)
- Entity issuing the result (e.g. laboratory, healthcare entity, or telehealth service)
- Specimen collection date. A negative test result must show the specimen was collected within the 3 days before the flight. A positive test result for documentation of recovery from COVID-19 must show the specimen was collected within the 3 months before the flight.
- Information that identifies the person (full name plus at least one other identifier such as date of birth or passport number)
- Test Result
Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to confirm the test result and review other required information and should determine when translation is necessary for these purposes. Passengers whose documents are in a language other than English should check with their airline or aircraft operator before travel.
Self-tests
International air passengers traveling to the United States can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria:
- The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription.
- The telehealth provider must confirm the person’s identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of CDC’s Order.
- Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to review and confirm the person’s identity and the test result details. The passenger must also be able to present the documentation of test results to U.S. officials at the port of entry and local/state health departments if requested.
After arriving in the USA
The US has different protocols for vaccinated and unvaccinated international arrivals. Quarantine is mandatory only for unvaccinated individuals.
Vaccinated travellers
Travelers from Pakistan are not permitted to travel overseas unless they can show proof of vaccination. Pakistanis who have been medically recommended against getting the COVID-19 vaccine and have a certificate from a qualified specialised doctor can travel overseas without a vaccination certificate.
After travelling to the US, fully vaccinated people must:
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel.
- If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
- Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.
Note that travellers are considered fully vaccinated:
- 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
- 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
If you don’t meet these requirements, you are not considered fully vaccinated and you’ll have to follow the protocol for unvaccinated passengers.
Unvaccinated travellers
After travelling to the US, unvaccinated people must:
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
- Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
- If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
- If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
- Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
- Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.
Recovered travellers
If you recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the last 3 months, you only need to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. You are exempt from the test on arrival. Isolation is required only if you develop symptoms
However, you must check and adhere to the state and local laws.
Flights from Pakistan to the US
There are no direct flights from Pakistan to the United States. There are some popular non-direct routes for Pakistan to the United States, some of them are Lahore Airport – New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport, Karachi Quaid-E-Azam Intl Airport – New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport and Karachi Quaid-E-Azam Intl Airport – Newark Airport.
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