The United States announced on Oct. 12 that they will finally be reopening land borders with Mexico and Canada beginning in November. The openings will only apply to fully vaccinated travelers.

Unvaccinated travelers will still be unable to enter the United States from Mexico or Canada by land — they will continue to be able to enter by air with proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Land travel from Mexico and Canada has been limited since March 2020.

“In alignment with the new international air travel system that will be implemented in November, we will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “Cross-border travel creates significant economic activity in our border communities and benefits our broader economy. We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner.”

Essential travelers have been able to cross the borders by land, but they will also need to provide proof of vaccination starting in January 2022.

Currently many non-US citizens are not allowed inside the United States, but the Biden administration announced the lifting of those restrictions as well in November.

“This approach will provide ample time for essential travelers such as truckers, students, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated,” said the Department of Homeland Security.

Canada’s borders opened to fully-vaccinated US citizens in August.