nyc travel requirements

Everything you need to know about visiting New York — city etiquette, when to go, and the latest COVID-19 advisories

• If you're planning a trip to New York, here's what you should know for a smooth and enjoyable stay.
• Brush up on your city etiquette, and pack wisely depending on what time of year you're visiting.
• Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations.

If you're planning a visit to New York City, here's everything you need to know to stay safe while traveling, including city etiquette, the latest COVID-19 advisories, and tips on when to visit.

COVID-19 advisories

New York City was hit early and hard by COVID-19, but the city has since fully reopened with regularly updated safety protocols.

Face coverings are no longer required at indoor public places, although they're still mandatory on mass transit, including the subway, and at Broadway shows and other performing arts venues. Private businesses can decide whether or not to enforce their own mask requirement, and some still do, so it's best to keep one handy just in case.

Businesses are also no longer required to ask patrons for proof of vaccination, whether for indoor or outdoor activities. However, in response to an increase in cases, on May 16, the health commissioner's office issued a new advisory that people wear medical masks during public indoor gatherings.

It's important to remember that the situation is fluid, and we recommend following the guidelines of the CDC, WHO, and other reputable agencies.

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New York is a true four-season city, so the weather will vary dramatically depending on when you visit. Snow season generally starts in December, but is usually heaviest in January and February and can also continue in March. April and May see a fair amount of rainfall interspersed with overcast and sunny days.

The year's hottest months are typically July and August, and high humidity levels often carry through part of September before tapering off to cooler temperatures in October. 

If you want to come in the summer, June is a solid option for generally warm, sunny weather with a chance of rain. Late September and October are the most mild, which makes them a great time for a lot of walking and sightseeing. We also recommend late November and early December as one of the loveliest times of year to visit New York — although it will be colder, it won't be January cold, and that's when the city begins to buzz with holiday markets, window displays, ice skating rinks, and more festivities.

However, if you're looking for a snow-filled holiday, we'd recommend aiming for early- or mid-January, as the snow gets more slushy and wet (aka not fun to trudge through) in February. Just remember to bring a good coat and water-resistant boots, and you can pick up gloves or scarves if needed from the many street vendors that sell winter-weather accessories that time of year.

NYC etiquette

New Yorkers have a reputation for being blunt, some might even say rude, but that attitude usually comes down to the fact that everyone in the city is busy and has somewhere to be. Here are some quick tips to fit in smoothly with locals and enjoy your stay.

• Walk to the right on the sidewalk. If you're in a big group, be courteous and don't take up the whole sidewalk walking side by side.
• Don't stand still in the middle of the sidewalk or on busy street corners where foot traffic is coming from all directions. If you need to pause to check your phone for directions or after exiting a store, simply stand against the side of a building.
• Be aware of your surroundings and don't keep valuables like your phone or wallet in back pockets. 
• On the subway, let riders exit the train first before you get on.
• If you need directions, rather than asking someone walking by (who may not have time to stop or might not live in the area), we recommend running into a bodega or shop and asking someone working inside. 

View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting New York City.

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Updated 3/1/2024

WHILE IN NEW YORK

Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available.

The CDC recommends staying home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others. If you test positive for COVID-19, call the following numbers for information on treatments and other assistance: 1-888-364-3065 (All of New York State) 1-212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) (New York City only)

MASKS & VACCINATION

Wearing a well-fitting face mask or respirator (i.e. KN95, KF94 or N95 or higher rated mask)  completely covering your nose and mouth  and staying current on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters can help keep you and the communities you are visiting safe. 

Masks and proof of COVID-19 vaccination continue to be required in all cities, localities, and private businesses that choose to require them despite the removal of statewide mandates. Businesses and venues may require COVID-19 safety measures for some or all events they host.

Please be respectful of the request to put on a mask properly covering both nose and mouth, or other COVID-19 safety mitigation requirements, at an attraction or in a place of business.

Visitors to NYC who are interested in finding mask-required venues and events can find relevant information on the NYC Mask Guide site  (note: clicking this link will take you to a separate website created by local residents, these listings are not curated by I LOVE NY).

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

As of May 12, 2023, international visitors are no longer required to show proof of vaccination to enter the United States.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

World Health Organization: Coronavirus

CDC: How to protect yourself & others

CDC: 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Local NYS County Health Departments

NYC Department of Health

US Travel Association - Emergency Preparedness and Response: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Vaccination in New York Stat e

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Coronavirus Information and Resources

Covid-19 remains a reality for us. Stay up to date with the help of the info below.

The Current Situation

• Mask-wearing is no longer mandated in New York City, though wearing a mask on the subway, bus and trains remains strongly recommended. Similarly, proof of vaccination is no longer required anywhere in the city.

• You still must wear a mask if visiting a doctor, dentist, hospital or any health care facility in New York.

• NYC Department of Health recommends similar masking in indoor spaces and crowded outdoor settings to slow the spread of Covid-19 (as well as other airborne illnesses), but this is not required.

• Individual businesses (such as shops and theaters) may continue to require masks and proof of vaccination at their own discretion—they have the right to ask you to leave if you refuse to comply.

• People who test positive for Covid-19 are advised to isolate at their homes or accommodation for at least 5 days and wear a mask in public spaces for at least 10 days after their symptoms began.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are available and recommended for all age groups, including—as of June 22, 2022—children between 6 months and 5 years old; see  here  for more details and below for where to get vaccines in the City. Boosters, including the  bivalent ones , are encouraged for all who are eligible (see more below). Note that in September 2022, City Hall lifted the vaccine mandate for all private employers in New York City—a policy that had gone into effect in December of the previous year—and left the policy to the discretion of the employers. 

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control recommend that everyone 5 and older get a booster shot five months after receiving a two-course dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and two months after receiving a single dose of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine. A second booster is also recommended for adults 50 and over; it should be at least four months after the first booster and should be an mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer) vaccine. For more information, visit  cdc.gov .

As mentioned above, mask wearing is recommended in indoor spaces and on public transit, though the mandates for each have been lifted. Businesses may still choose to implement the mandate, and the mask requirement remains in effect for health-care facilities.

Broadway Broadway shows are back in full. To help consumers, the Broadway League publishes updated  schedules online of all the shows playing on Broadway. This resource also provides access to each Broadway show’s website for more information. All listings include the most current information on performance times and reflect any last-minute cancellations.

Broadway theaters in New York City have stopped checking vaccinations for audience members as well as for performers, backstage crew and staff. Masks are also optional—though still encouraged—for audiences inside theaters. For more information, visit  broadway.org .

MTA The NYC subway continues to operate with 24-hour service. As mentioned above, mask-wearing in the system is now optional, though strongly encouraged. For more information, visit  mta.info .

International Travel

As of May 12, 2023, passengers no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated to board a flight to the United States. For more information, visit  cdc.gov .

Inbound visitors are no longer required to show proof of a recent negative Covid-19 test result. For more information, visit cdc.gov .

For the latest on international travel requirements, visit cdc.gov .

How to Get Vaccinated

Covid-19 vaccines are available in NYC to all US residents who are 6 months and older (boosters are available and recommended), including domestic visitors to the five boroughs. There are many ways to get vaccinated:

New York City offers this comprehensive 

vaccine-finder tool , updated on a rolling basis, which includes links to local vaccination centers and pharmacies.

You may call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to schedule an appointment and for more information.

A number of sites across the five boroughs offer walk-up appointments. You can see these  here .

See other appointments nationwide with the CDC’s 

vaccine-finder tool .

For more information, visit  nyc.gov .

How to Get Tested

Covid-19 testing is widely available throughout New York City. A number of resources can assist in scheduling PCR or rapid-antigen tests:

New York City offers this  comprehensive testing website , which includes 

a searchable map of all testing locations throughout the five boroughs , along with basic information about the tests themselves.

New York State’s Covid-19 testing page also includes  a searchable map of testing locations  across the five boroughs.

NYC Health & Hospitals website  includes information about walk-in testing, as well as locations that will allow pre-registration.

Quest Diagnostics  and  Labcorp  both offer testing options.

A number of pharmacies offer convenient Covid-testing options, including  CVS and Walgreens .

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It’s important to be up to date on recommended routine vaccines prior to travel, including Flu, RSV and COVID-19.

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The Latest on U.S. Travel Restrictions

By Lauren Hard Oct. 19, 2021

• Share full article

What to Know: U.S. Travel Restrictions

Beginning today, international visitors who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus can enter the United States by air or across the land borders with Canada and Mexico.

Here’s the latest →

The new policy ends an 18-month ban on nonessential travel from 33 countries, including China, Brazil and European Union members. The ban had affected tourists and those hoping to visit family and friends in the U.S.

The rules reorient the U.S. approach to vetting its visitors during the pandemic.

Instead of basing entry decisions on travelers’ countries of origin, the U.S. is focusing on vaccination status.

International visitors flying into the U.S. now need to show proof of vaccination before boarding and a negative coronavirus test taken within three days of their flight.

The three vaccines available in the U.S. — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — are accepted, as are vaccines cleared for emergency use by the W.H.O., including AstraZeneca and Covaxin.

Unvaccinated foreign visitors cannot enter the country, with limited exemptions.

Unvaccinated Americans returning home need to test negative for the coronavirus within one day of their flight and show proof they have purchased another test to take after arriving.

The hope is with these longstanding bans being lifted, the U.S. tourism industry will start to recover. The halt on travel caused a loss of nearly $300 billion in visitor spending, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

Keep up with the latest travel news, trends and feature stories.

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Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering the US.

Passport validity requirements

To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.

If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from the US, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries will only allow entry if you have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport. 

Dual nationals  

US law requires US citizens to enter and exit the US using a US passport. Contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK for more information.

Visa requirements

To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an  Electronic System for Travel Authorisation ( ESTA ) visa waiver  or a visa .

The US State Department has more information on visas .

Applying for an ESTA visa waiver 

Apply for an ESTA visa waiver through US Customs and Border Protection. You can also apply using the ESTA Mobile app on android or on iOS .

You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you have:

• been arrested (even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction)
• a criminal record
• been refused admission into, or have been deported from the US
• previously overstayed under an ESTA visa waiver

You cannot normally apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you were in the following countries on or after March 2011: 

• North Korea

You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021. 

If you are not eligible for an ESTA , you must instead apply for a US visa.

Applying for a visa

The US Embassy in London has information on how to apply for a visa .

US visa appointments

Visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited. Plan your application as far ahead as possible before travel. If you need to travel urgently, you can request an expedited interview through the US Embassy’s appointment service provider.

The US Embassy has more information on visa appointments .

Children and young people

Anyone aged 17 and under must:

• have a valid visa or ESTA visa waiver on arrival
• be able to provide evidence about the purpose, location and length of their visit if asked by immigration officials
• have written consent from one or both parents if travelling alone, with only one parent, or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian

The US authorities can stop you entering the country if they have safeguarding concerns about a child. If this happens, the US authorities will take the child into their care, and their return from the US could take months. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot speed up the return of British nationals aged 17 and under from the US.

The US government has information about children travelling to the US . If you have questions, contact the US Embassy in the UK .

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s US guide .

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the US . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Global Entry programme

The US Customs and Border Protection programme Global Entry allows pre-approved travellers through border control faster at some US airports. If you’re a British citizen, you can  register to get a UK background check . If you pass the background checks, you’ll be invited to apply for Global Entry.

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COVID-19 international travel advisories

Visitors to the U.S. do not need to be tested or vaccinated for COVID-19. U.S. citizens going abroad, check Department of State travel advisories for the country you will visit.

COVID-19 testing and vaccine rules for entering the U.S.

You do not need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or take a COVID-19 test to enter the U.S. This applies to U.S. citizens and non-citizens.

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