Location: The Netherlands
Event: COVID-19 Testing Requirement for Air Travel to the U.S.
Effective January 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents) to present a negative viral COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure, or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recent recovery for all passengers prior to boarding and must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery. Please see CDC’s FAQ and the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands COVID-19 webpage for more information about the new requirement.
If you are planning to return to the United States, you should contact your airline for specific information about testing requirements for travelers. Because airlines may adopt and modify their own specific policies to implement the CDC’s new rule, you should contact the carrier for your U.S.-bound flight and not rely on information from other carriers or information or experience from previous trips.
Testing Resources
Many local clinics offer private pre-departure COVID-19 testing for travel purposes. Travelers are responsible for the costs of their own tests and any associated medical care. Please ensure that the test provider you choose will provide test results that comply with CDC guidelines and those of your airline.
Commercial COVID-19 test centers provide negative tests results, including a PCR certificate, via email. Travelers are encouraged to print out the email prior to traveling to ensure you have a copy of the results during your trip. The average costs for a travel-related COVID-19 PCR test in the Netherlands is 130 to 160 euros.
The U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam has prepared a list of commercial testing providers. This list is not comprehensive and the information within is subject to change at any time. The Embassy and Consulate are not able to administer or pay for COVID-19 tests. Potential travelers should carefully consider that availability of tests and timeliness of results cannot be guaranteed. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General assume no responsibility or liability for the professional ability of reputation of, or the quality of services provided by the following persons or firms:
- Coronalab.eu: https://coronalab.eu/en/
- International Health Center of the Hague Travel Clinic: https://ihch.nl/en/latest-updates-coronacovid-19-virus/possibilities-for-testing-for-covid-19/
- KLM Health Services: https://klmhealthservices.com/reisvoorbereiding/coronatest/
- VaccinatieCentrum: https://www.vaccinatiecentrum.nl/
Reduced Consular Services
U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam’s ability to provide consular services is limited due to reduced in-person staffing and health protocols that mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Passport, citizenship, notary, and visa appointment availability is strictly limited due to social distancing requirements in our offices and public waiting rooms. Routine services, where offered, and emergency services are available by appointment only. All visitors to the Consulate General over the age of two must wear a face mask. All appointments are subject to change and cancellation based on local health conditions.
The U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam closely follows the guidelines from the Government of the Netherlands and the CDC and requires that applicants be present in the Netherlands for the 10 days prior to their appointment date for virtually all travelers. If you have recently arrived in the Netherlands from one of the countries listed here: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/tackling-new-coronavirus-in-the-netherlands/travel-and-holidays/self-quarantine, your appointment must take place more than 10 days after your arrival in the Netherlands.
The American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit at the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam provides limited routine passport services, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA), Federal Benefits (Social Security and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number applications), Certificates of Loss of Nationality, and notarial services including Affidavits of Civil Status. To schedule a passport, CRBA, or notarial appointment please visit our website. For information on Federal Benefits/Social Security/ITIN Services information please review our Social Security webpage. For all other inquiries not addressed on our website and any emergency requests, please email ACS at AmsterdamUSC@state.gov.
The Visa Unit at the U.S. Consulate General is currently processing limited immigrant visas (IR-1, IR-2, CR1, CR-2) and emergency and mission critical non-immigrant visa services only. Please visit our website for details. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-nl/niv or contact us via email at fae_contactus+nl+info+en@visaops.net or call +31 20 241 0364 (Netherlands) and +1 703 543 9346 (U.S.) to request an emergency appointment. Foreign travelers to the U.S. are reminded that travel restrictions pursuant to Presidential Proclamations 10052, 9993, and 9996 are still in place. Visa and ESTA holders who have an urgent need to travel to the U.S. and believe that you may qualify for one of the exceptions to the travel restrictions should contact the Visa Unit at AmsterdamCOVID19@state.gov. For information on the U.S. travel restrictions and exceptions visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-visa-services-and-restrictions.html
Actions to Take:
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive Alerts.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in the Netherlands. - Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Call a general practitioner or the Dutch Ministry of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) at 0800-1351 for guidance if you have flu-like symptoms.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Assistance:
U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam
Museumplein 19
1071 DJ Amsterdam
+(31) (0) 70 310 2209
AmsterdamUSC@state.gov
https://nl.usembassy.gov/
Department of State – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Netherlands Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
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