Last updated May 9, 2023

Please note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the vaccine requirements for international air travelers. As of May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers no longer need to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to board a flight to the United States. 

Important:  We strongly recommend travelers contact their airline regarding vaccination requirements for their customers, as it is at the airline’s discretion to board passengers.

For further information, please refer to the following link:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-change-to-us-travel-policy-requiring-covid-19-vaccination-for-nonimmigrant-travel.html

Waiver Application Process – Please follow all steps detailed below carefully:

Step 1
Applicants will carefully review the information on the Webpage and Travel | CDC.  Also, check out the useful quiz CDC designed to help travelers assess whether they may travel to the U.S. and what documentation they need to board a flight. Scroll down to the “Travel Assessment” banner and click “Get Started”: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/travel-assessment/index.html.

Step 2
Complete the online form at https://gr.usembassy.gov/visas/athens-cdc-waiver/cdc-waiver-form/ – please note that all fields must be completed.
Athens Consular Section will forward the request to the CDC for adjudication.

Step 3
The CDC will provide a form letter response to any request for exception directly to U.S. Embassy (or the Embassy/consulate which forwarded the request).  The form letter will either approve the requested exception, which will allow the individual to travel to the United States, either directly or by transit, or deny the exception.  The letter also likely will contain testing/quarantine requirements for travelers while in the United States.

Step 4
Athens CONS will transmit the response to the traveler or requestor as quickly as possible.  If/when the CDC provides the response letter via email directly to the individual or organization, they will also copy Athens CONS using the email address on the incoming request.

Important Information Available to Public: 

Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers | CDC

Technical Instructions for Implementing Presidential Proclamation Advancing Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic and CDC’s Order | Quarantine | CDC

On the CDC COVID site:
Travel | CDC
International Travel | CDC
Non-U.S. citizen, Non-U.S. immigrants: Air Travel to the United States | CDC