COVID-19 Testing for U.S. Residents Returning from Abroad

Abbott’s BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test

Pack it in your suitcase and take the test via a telehealth link at the end of your travels. Lab results are immediately delivered to your email and the Navica app to present to airline and border control authorities.

***In 2022, we visited Europe and shared a travel update on what it was like to travel during COVID. Check it out here.***

After traveling abroad, U.S. travelers now have one less thing to worry about when returning home. A reliable, rapid, trustworthy, and, most importantly, approved COVID-19 test called BinaxNOW Ag Card allows you to test for COVID-19 anywhere in the world. You have results within 15 minutes of taking the test, with no instrumentation, and within the privacy and safety of your hotel room. C.D.C. approved, this affordable and portable digital health solution is the same test kit many medical providers use to test patients for COVID-19. After completing the test, you will have formal lab results immediately available to you.

Few people are aware of this simple solution for COVID-19 testing when traveling overseas. As a nurse, I am drawn to help people get better informed about their options. I will review the process and outline the simple steps to ensure this test works for you. No more seeking testing in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language. You can now regain control and achieve peace of mind.

This article aims to help you find all the answers you seek in one place. Gathering the necessary information required long hours of research and consultation with many varied sources. It shouldn’t be that hard, but sadly, it often is. Many are so overwhelmed that they choose not to travel. Hopefully, this will provide a one-stop shop for all your questions and concerns.

Traveling during COVID-19

Must-Know Information on BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card

Traveling during COVID-19 has come with its challenges. The ever-changing rules have made it difficult to track, leading to confusion. It has deterred many who are anxious to travel abroad from doing so. An added stress was the U.S. Government’s January 2021 institution of new requirements, referred to as the Order, which required all U.S. citizens and nationals, regardless of vaccination status, to have a negative COVID-19 test within three days of their return flight home.

Recently, a new option has become available, which puts much of the scary and unknown part to rest. We can attest that this new option is simple, and you remain in control of the situation. You can now self-test in the comfort of your hotel room with a certified guide via video link. You pack the 2.5-ounce BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card kit in your luggage and are ready to go. When it is time to test, you’ll have your results within 15 minutes. The test is C.D.C. and F.D.A. cleared for use to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad. No unknowns other than the test results themselves.

You can go on the long-overdue dream trip that you need and deserve after a long hiatus from traveling.

We promise YOU can do this!

We will guide you through the process from start to finish and answer all your questions, enabling you to move forward confidently with your trip planning.

Can you already see yourself packing those bags?

Key facts on BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag CARD

• You must order the correct kit!!!! The general BinaxNOW self-test kit does NOT comply with regulations for travel from abroad to the US. The kit you need is called BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card, which requires a proctor via video link. Jump to the sample image. If ordering from eMed, you will get the correct kit.

• Order the test kit online at least four days before leaving for your trip if using eMed (details are provided further down). They send them overnight on business days; please note this when placing your order.

• Once you receive the kit, download the free Navica app by scanning the code on the box with your phone and preregister before leaving home. This is a required element to complete the test.

• Tests are virtually proctored, and you must have an internet connection to use the video link for the proctor to communicate with you and monitor your test-taking progress. Hotel Internet has worked well for us; check out our experience below. The proctor will ask to provide proof of identification before taking the test, so please have it ready.

• Please do NOT open the test kit until the proctor instructs you to do so.

• A lab report is generated and emailed to you shortly after completing the virtual online session. A copy of the lab report is also included in your Navica phone app.

**Please verify that the country you are visiting allows this kit to enter its territory. **Some countries require all testing to be conducted by health authorities, allowing them to track cases. ** It is not that they have issues with the validity of the kit, but that their teams must do it to monitor the health of all within their borders.

My research on the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card

The results were better than I expected. A certified guide, whom they call a proctor, walks you through the entire test. The BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card video link can be accessed on both cell phones and laptops. The whole process takes approximately 25 minutes, with most of the time spent waiting for the test to be processed.

I was curious about how they could be unsure if the test was administered to the correct person. You hear stories of people cheating on their tests. This test, though, is part of what makes this a great option. You can only open the test kit when the proctor comes on screen. The test kit becomes invalid if it is opened before the session starts. You must preregister on the Navica app to conduct the test, and it requires you to present a valid form of identification during the session, such as a passport.

At the end of the session, eMed generates a lab report that you receive via email. The lab director is the signatory on the lab report (see my lab result later in the article). The results are also available on the phone app. The Navica passport displays the results, and the actual lab report is accessible on the app.

Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag CARD Kit

Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag CARD Test is a rapid, reliable, highly portable, and affordable tool for detecting active COVID-19 infections. It is a rapid antigen self-test designed to detect asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19. It can be used for children as young as 4 when adults collect the sample; those 15 and older can collect their own sample. The antigen test detects multiple COVID-19 strains, including the Delta variant.

For those who wish to understand the process used, as some governments are particular, the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test is a lateral flow immunoassay designed for the qualitative detection of nucleocapsid protein antigen from SARS-CoV-2.

The health and medical diagnostics company Abbott makes the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card. Abbott is a global leader in point-of-care solutions and a well-respected company with a worldwide presence. As long as I have been a nurse, I have worked with Abbott products.

Our experience with the BinaxNOW Covid-19 Ag Card

Upon our return to the States from a trip to Iceland, we conducted the test 48 hours prior to departure. We were in an apartment on a farm in a remote area of Iceland. The Internet worked great, and both of our sessions were flawless. It could not have been easier. There was no wait for a proctor, and we were done in about 20 minutes. The next day, we completed the online check-in and uploaded the lab report to Icelandair.

Since then, I have had family and friends use the kit to successfully re-enter the United States from places like Greece and South Africa.

We pushed the envelope a bit using the test to enter Iceland. Iceland requires a PCR or Antigen test within 72 hours of arrival. We became concerned about the surge of COVID-19 as we heard that some COVID-19 tests were not being reported back as quickly. The airport we fly out of offers testing, but at the criminal price of $250 a person.

We verified that the BinaxNOW Covid-19 Ag Card met Iceland’s requirements. We also read in many places that people have used it to enter Iceland with no issue. In our experience, that was also the case. No issue at all. It saved us $450 in the end, which is quite a savings.

Questions and Answers about the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card test kit and traveling during COVID

I get many questions about this test and the testing process in general. As a nurse, I always assure my patients that there is no such thing as dumb questions in the medical world. To address the most common questions, I have compiled a Q&A section to make it easier to find the answers you’re looking for. Many questions arise in relation to the scenarios you may encounter during travel.

Click on the plus sign next to the questions, and the answer will then drop down below. This way, you can spend time on the questions that matter most to you.

YOU MUST order the correct kit!

The general test kit does not comply with U.S. Re-entry testing

The Abbott test kit you need for travel is the BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test. Abbott has two options on the market: one that can be used as a self-test and another that is administered online with a proctor. Both kits are called BinaxNOW, which can lead to confusion. You must have the right one to use for international travel. The self-test kit can not be used to re-enter the U.S. because there is no proctor involved, and no lab results have been generated!! Here is an image of how the two kits look.

Let’s talk about the cost and where to get the BinaxNOW Covid-19 Ag Card test kit

The Abbott BinaxNOW Covid-19 Ag Card has a direct connection with eMed, which provides a certified guide/proctor who guides you through the test via a video link. The easiest and most reliable method to obtain the kits is through eMed directly. Click on this link to order the eMed BinaxNOW Covid-19 Ag Card Home Test kits.

Keep in mind the recommendation is to carry two kits per person. In case you need the backup due to an invalid test or other issues. I am aware of one case where the reagent bottle used during testing was empty. The test cannot occur without it.

These kits can be used when you are at home as well as in cases where testing is needed for a job, volunteer assignments, family/friend gatherings, public events, etc. I have a stash of kits just for those purposes.

ORDER at least one week before your trip to be safe.

Can the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card be found in stores?

I have read that the kits can be purchased at Walgreens and Walmart. The non-Ag Card kits without a proctor are often available there, but DO NOT buy that one (see image above). I went to Walgreens and a Walmart in my area and couldn’t find any, even the non-proctored ones. I asked the pharmacist to confirm this, and she said they did not have any in stock. She did not recall ever having the Ag Card version.

The BinaxNOW Covid-19 Ag Card is not currently available on sites like Amazon. Technically, this is a prescription item, and a series of questions must be verified before you can purchase it, and you must be over the age of 18. The verification process occurs with both options above.

Disclosure: We have no connection with these companies and DO NOT make any income whatsoever from any purchases. We pay the same price as you.

Let’s get testing!

1. Purchase the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card. Purchase the kits at least a week before travel to ensure timely arrival.
   
2. When you receive the kit, scan the bar code on the box to download the Navica app. Register by opening an account with Navica to set up your digital account. Pack the kit(s) into your luggage.
   
3. On the day of the test, ensure you have an internet connection and sign in to your Navica app. You will choose the ‘I have a test’ option. It will ask you to scan the barcode outside the test kit. PLEASE DO NOT OPEN IT!
   
   You will now connect to eMed to begin the testing at eMed.com/app/start-testing. You can use your laptop or phone. In our case, we used the computer for the test and the phone to view the Navica app.
   
   You will be given three choices; click “I want to start testing.” Follow the on-screen instructions and answer the questions until you are connected to the proctor.
   
4. The proctor guides you verbally through the test, while on-screen instructions also feature excellent visual diagrams to follow. (see slide show below for those images).
   
   The swab is now in the card, and they will then instruct you to close it. The timer is set for 15 minutes. The proctor leaves the video chat.
   
5. At 15 minutes, another proctor reviews the results and immediately generates both a lab report via email and displays the results on the Navica app.

For visual learners like me

I have put together a slide show of each testing process step for more visual learners like me. You will see the process has good details and is straightforward to follow. The graphics (except the ones that are pictures of our testing) are from the eMed site. These are the exact images you will see during your online session. Additionally, the proctor verbally guides you throughout the video call at all times. You will start by logging in to the Navica app, and then the app will guide you from there.

Slide Show of the Testing Process

_{Some photos in the slideshow from Abbott and eMed}

My lab results

Please remember that even if you test negative, the NAVICA digital certificate should not replace existing measures, such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing.

Photo from C.D.C.

What if you test positive?

If you receive a positive result, you should remain in self-isolation and inform your healthcare provider of your result. You should follow the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.)

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include: This list of symptoms is not all-inclusive.

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face

Here are some helpful side notes that may come in handy to prepare you for testing. For those who want to learn everything they can ahead of time.

Order your kit online.

Online ordering is quick, but they require that you enter the names and ages of the people who will use the kit, not for all six boxes, but for 3. That does not mean that all six kits link only to those people. The Navica App, at the time of testing, scans the kit’s barcode, which connects it to the person performing the test. The proctor will also scan the barcode on the kit and link it to the person being tested. We had no issue when the person’s name did not match the original name on the order.

Download the Navica app once your kit arrives.

Once your kit arrives, on the front of the box sleeve, scan the bar code with your phone. This will download the Navica app to your phone. Complete this right away, as you don’t want to do this overseas at the last minute. The app then guides you through setting up an account.

It will request your address, which is a requirement for anyone undergoing testing, so that health authorities can be notified of positive test results. You will not need to reopen this app until the day of testing.

Make sure you have your login and password along on the trip.

Test day

When it’s time for your test, plan to spend at least one hour on it. Before testing, you will need to scan the barcode using your Navica app. The test usually takes twenty-five minutes, but some reports have noted a delay in getting a proctor online. In all the cases I have been personally familiar with, most responses were immediate or within a few minutes, regardless of the time of day or location.

Find a quiet place with few distractions. Do not have television or music in the background. Clear a nice flat area to do the test.

Do it at the end of the day when you are not in a time crunch to be somewhere.

Wash your hands before connecting and starting the testing process.

If you have a laptop, it would be ideal, but it is not required.

Time for the test

Timing the test can be tricky because you don’t want to do it precisely three days before the flight if the flight has a significant delay; in that case, you will need to conduct another test. However, if you do it at the two-day mark, that leaves you with little wiggle room to get a test locally if needed. Most large airports are doing tests, but they are much more expensive, and there could be long lines, as we have seen in some airports. We completed the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card test 48 hours prior to our departure. The 48 hours allowed us time to pick it up locally or at the airport, make an appointment, and plan accordingly if any issues arose.

You will need to sign in to your account, and then a screen will come up with two options. You will choose the one I have a test. A series of questions follows. It will ask you to scan the barcode on the box. Please do not open it!

Next, you will connect with the proctor via your laptop or phone. We used our computer because it was easier to position it so the proctor could see the whole process. They must observe you opening the kit, conducting the swabbing, and preparing it for analysis. We put our laptop up on a base, so it spanned the testing area and our faces. A phone would work as well.

Logging in

As you begin the login process, the computer or phone will do a voice test. Once complete, you wait to be joined by the proctor. One of our family members had the voice fail, though the proctor could still see them. They communicated moving forward via text.

The eMed proctor is not visible during the process, but they can see you. They will step you through the process; you do nothing ahead of time except wash your hands.

The process is straightforward, though you may still feel quite nervous. Take a deep breath; you will be fine. The proctor is there to guide you through an accurate test. They are well-trained, and we found them very calm and patient.

The proctor will first have you put the barcode in front of the camera so they can scan it. Then they will ask for your ID, which ideally should be your passport if you are using this for travel. Once they confirm with you, they will begin the testing process by instructing you to open the kit.

The AG test Card

The Ag Card is about the size of a credit card. They ask you to remove it from its sleeve and then present the barcode on the test card to the camera. You will then place it on a flat surface along with the reagent bottle. The proctor guides every step from here.

Once the swabbing is complete, they will guide you through closing the card. A timer then begins counting down on the screen. The proctor says goodbye and advises you that someone will be back in precisely 15 minutes. You can wander away from the computer, but stay near it so you hear the alarm, which will let you know when to return.

While you wait, you will note on the Ag Card that there is a control line. If you are negative, then no other bar will show up. If you are positive, a bar will appear during the 15 minutes. Of course, I stood there and watched closely for any sign of a line appearing—reminders of pregnancy tests from years past.

At precisely 15 minutes, the timer goes off, and a new person joins you. The new proctor will ask you to present the card to the camera so that it can read the result. They will then inquire about what you see. The proctor will ask a few more questions about whether you are symptomatic. If you are, you should see a medical provider, even if the test is negative. They said the results should arrive shortly in your email; they did within seconds.

You throw away your test kit in the garbage. No special handling is needed.

You have results; now what?

If you are at a hotel, you can ask them to print it out for you. I prefer to show my paper at the airline counter. I also uploaded mine onto the airline website during the check-in process. The Navica app on your phone also displays a “passport,” which indicates the test results and how many hours ago the test was taken. The app supposedly has adequate documentation, but we used the paper lab results ourselves.

I also took a screenshot of my lab results and my Navica pass.

Other important points

If you plan to enter a country using this test, I recommend doing so with great caution. If the country is unfamiliar with this test, the result could be pretty unpleasant, such as a mandated quarantine. We used it to enter Iceland without any issues, but we verified many stories of people who had, and it does meet their requirements. But this is where risk could come into play. It has to be a country-by-country call.

To get home, you are golden if you have tested negative.

In all cases we are familiar with, once you return to the U.S., you are not required to present these results. The airline rules are definitive; they can’t allow you to board the plane without it, and the penalties if they do are substantial. However, we had it ready, as they had advised us to do.

Repeat the statement above in case it was missed. **Please verify that the country you are visiting allows this kit to be imported into its territory. **Some countries require all testing to be conducted by health authorities, allowing them to track cases. ** It is not that they have issues with the validity of the kit, but that their teams must do it to monitor the health of all within their borders. At this time, this is relatively rare, and some countries include Belize and Anguilla.**

Final thoughts

The testing process is smooth and easy. Most people I know, including my blogging business partner, are not medical people. Therefore, they are on their own through the actual procedure. No one had an issue. It is fail-proof, and they designed it that way.

Travel feeds the soul, and many of us are lacking nourishment during this difficult time due to COVID-19. COVID-19 testing has been a barrier for many people, leading them to be hesitant about traveling. If this is your concern, as it is for many others, you are now covered.

We all must do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please share this article with friends and family who are about to travel. They will thank you if they are not aware of this easy option. It may also be beneficial in other aspects of their lives. The BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card can be used to test before family gatherings, to meet job requirements, before attending concerts or other public events, and even when visiting restaurants where it is mandated. Save them time and money with the at-home rapid option.

Stay safe and healthy. Adhere to COVID-19 safety measures when traveling abroad.

Wherever the compass leads you on your next adventure, have the time of your life.

© 2025 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved

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