You do not need any vaccinations to enter the United States on an ESTA in 2026, and there are no ESTA vaccination requirements for a normal visit. The Visa Waiver Program sets no vaccine entry rule for short tourist or business trips. The COVID-19 vaccination requirement for air travelers ended on 12 May 2023, and nothing has replaced it for ESTA visitors.
TL;DR: There are no mandatory vaccines for a normal US visit. You travel on an ESTA costing about $40 ($40.27, rising to $40.62 from 16 October 2026), valid two years, staying up to 90 days per entry. Health checks apply to immigrant visa applicants, not Visa Waiver Program tourists. Routine and travel vaccines stay a personal choice guided by the CDC.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Mandatory vaccines for entry | None for ESTA visitors in 2026 |
| COVID-19 vaccine rule | Ended 12 May 2023 for air travelers |
| ESTA fee | $40.27 per person ($40 from 30 September 2025; $40.62 from 16 October 2026) |
| ESTA validity | 2 years, or until your passport expires |
| Max stay per entry | 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program |
| Apply | At esta.cbp.dhs.gov, at least 72 hours before travel |
Key facts at a glance:
- No proof of vaccination is asked for at US passport control on an ESTA (2026).
- The air-travel COVID-19 vaccine mandate was lifted on 12 May 2023.
- Immigrant (green card) applicants still face a medical exam and required shots; tourists do not.
- The CDC lists recommended, not required, vaccines for US travel.
- The US sets no yellow fever vaccination requirement for entry, even for arrivals from countries where the disease spreads.
Health rules confuse a lot of first-time visitors, so it helps to separate what is required from what is advised. Before you book, it is worth reading our guide to ESTA requirements so the paperwork side is clear, then come back to the medical picture below.
Are there ESTA vaccination requirements at the US border?
No. There is no such rule at the US border in 2026, and a Customs and Border Protection officer will not ask to see a vaccine card from a Visa Waiver Program traveler. Entry turns on your passport, your approved ESTA, and your answers about the purpose of the trip. Vaccination status sits outside that check for short visits.
The United States dropped its last travel-related vaccine mandate, the COVID-19 rule for non-citizen air passengers, on 12 May 2023. Since then the country has kept no general immunization gate for tourists. The State Department’s overview of the Visa Waiver Program lists passport and eligibility conditions, not shots. For the wider entry checklist, our page on who needs an ESTA shows exactly who the program covers.
What changed with the COVID-19 rule and ESTA vaccination requirements
The 2021 order that forced most foreign air travelers to show COVID-19 vaccination proof was revoked on 12 May 2023, which is why ESTA vaccination requirements no longer exist for ordinary visits. Airlines stopped collecting attestation forms at check-in, and CBP stopped verifying vaccine records on arrival.
Rules can shift during a public-health emergency, so treat this as the current position rather than a permanent guarantee. The government reserves the power to reintroduce screening if a serious outbreak appears. Official travel-health guidance is published through the State Department’s health-abroad pages and the CDC, so check them close to departure. If you want the money side too, compare the fee on our ESTA cost breakdown.
Pro tip: Keep a photo of any vaccine card on your phone even though no one will ask for it at the airport. Cruise lines, tour operators, and some events set their own rules that the US government does not, and a quick screenshot saves a scramble at the gangway.
| Category | Required for US entry? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ESTA tourist / business visitor | No vaccines required | Passport + ESTA only |
| Immigrant visa (green card) | Yes, set list | Medical exam and shots before the visa |
| Arrival from yellow-fever country | No | The US has no yellow fever entry requirement |
| Routine CDC vaccines (MMR, flu) | Recommended | Advised, never checked at the border |
Who actually faces vaccine rules, and who is exempt on an ESTA
Vaccine rules bite for people applying to live in the US, not for travelers using an ESTA (about $40) valid two years. Immigrant visa applicants complete a medical exam with a panel physician and must show a fixed list of vaccinations before approval. Visa Waiver visitors skip that process entirely.
This split matters if your family mixes trip types. A grandmother visiting for three weeks needs no shots, while a relative moving permanently must meet the immigrant medical standard. The State Department explains these tracks in its visa FAQ, and our comparison of an ESTA versus a US visa shows why the two routes carry different obligations. More than 40 countries take part in the program, listed on our Visa Waiver Program countries page.
One more group causes confusion: cruise passengers. The US government asks nothing of them on the vaccine front, yet the cruise line itself might. A traveler sailing round-trip from Miami could face a line policy on measles or flu shots that has no link to CBP or the ESTA. Always read the operator’s terms, because a private company can set a bar the border never will. When rules do change during an outbreak, they appear first in official notices, not in an airline email, so trust the government source over hearsay.
Not sure the visa route fits your plans? You can lodge an ESTA directly at esta.cbp.dhs.gov for about $40, or let us check and submit the form so a small mistake does not delay your trip.
Health steps before you fly to the US on an ESTA
Because no vaccines are required, your pre-trip health prep is about protection and comfort, not clearing a checkpoint. A short routine covers most travelers and takes little time.
- Check the CDC destination page for the United States four to six weeks before departure to see current advice and any regional notices.
- Update routine shots such as measles-mumps-rubella and seasonal flu if your doctor recommends them.
- Confirm your ESTA is approved at least 72 hours before you fly, and print or save the confirmation. The government’s official entry-to-the-US overview lists what document checks to expect.
- Arrange travel insurance with medical cover, since US hospital bills are steep for visitors.
- Pack medication properly in original packaging with a doctor’s note for anything unusual.
Picture a couple from Lyon flying to Orlando for ten days. They confirm their ESTA, refresh a tetanus booster on their doctor’s advice, and buy insurance with a $100,000 medical limit. No border officer mentions vaccines, and the paperwork they carry is the ESTA approval, not a health pass. For the arrivals side, our walkthrough of airport security on arrival shows what really happens at the desk.
Practical tips for ESTA travelers thinking about vaccines
Smart health planning makes a US trip smoother even though no shots are required for entry. These pointers focus on the things that genuinely affect visitors.
- Insurance first: a single clinic visit can top $1,000, so read our note on travel insurance for US trips before you go.
- Medication rules: some everyday drugs are restricted, so review bringing medication into the USA in advance.
- Medical trips differ: visiting for treatment has its own rules, covered in our guide to medical treatment on an ESTA.
- Mind the clock: your stay caps at 90 days, explained on our 90-day limit page.
- Apply early: follow the steps in our ESTA application guide to avoid last-minute stress.
Prefer a second pair of eyes on the form? Apply yourself at the official site for about $40, or use our review-and-submit service so your ESTA is checked before it reaches CBP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any vaccines to meet ESTA vaccination requirements in 2026?
No. There are no mandatory vaccines for ESTA visitors in 2026. The border check covers your passport and approved ESTA, not immunization records, for stays of up to 90 days.
Is a COVID-19 vaccine still required to fly to the US?
No. The requirement for foreign air travelers ended on 12 May 2023. You no longer sign an attestation or show proof at check-in or on arrival.
Will a CBP officer ask for my vaccine card?
Officers do not request vaccine cards from Visa Waiver Program travelers. They confirm identity, your ESTA status, and the purpose and length of your visit.
Does the US require a yellow fever certificate?
No. According to the CDC, the United States has no yellow fever vaccination requirement for entry. If your trip continues to another country, check that country’s own entry rules.
Are vaccines required for a green card instead of an ESTA?
Yes. Immigrant visa applicants complete a medical exam and a fixed vaccine list. That process does not apply to short visits made on an ESTA.
Should children have shots before a US trip on an ESTA?
No shots are required for entry. The CDC still recommends children stay current on routine vaccines like MMR, but that advice is not checked at the border.
Where can I confirm current US health rules for travel?
Check the CDC destination page for the United States and the State Department’s health-abroad guidance close to departure, since emergency rules can change at short notice.
Vaccination worries should not slow your planning, because a normal US visit on an ESTA (about $40) carries no immunization gate and no ESTA vaccination requirements. Focus on your passport, an approved ESTA, insurance, and sensible health prep, and you will clear the border on documents rather than a vaccine card.
About the author: Daniel Brooks is a US travel and ESTA specialist at USESTAvisa.com who has guided Visa Waiver Program travellers since 2018.
We are an independent assistance service, not a government agency; you can also apply directly at the official ESTA website.
Last updated: 2026-10-09 — verified against official US government guidance.