Yellow Fever Certificate (ICVP) in 2025: Validity, the 10‑Day Rule & How to Get Yours

Have you ever been stopped at a border and asked for proof of vaccination? For travellers heading to or through countries where yellow fever is a risk, the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) – often called the “yellow card” – is a mandatory document. Yet confusion about when the card becomes valid, how long it lasts and what to do if it gets lost is widespread. This comprehensive guide demystifies yellow fever certificates for travellers from the USA, Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia, so you can plan with confidence in 2025.

What is the yellow fever certificate?

The yellow fever certificate is a paper booklet issued by an authorised vaccination centre after you receive an approved yellow fever vaccine. It proves that you have been immunised according to the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (2005). The certificate includes your name, date of birth, passport number, details about the vaccine (manufacturer, batch and lot number), the vaccination date and the clinic’s official stamp.

Border and health authorities use the ICVP to prevent international spread of the yellow fever virus. Because yellow fever is endemic in parts of sub‑Saharan Africa and South America, many countries require arriving travellers to show proof of vaccination to protect their populations. Even if you are only transiting through an affected country, officials may ask to see your card. Knowing when you need the certificate – and how to keep it handy – saves time and stress at airports and land crossings.

Validity: one dose lasts for life

In 2016 the World Health Organization updated its regulations so that a single approved dose of the yellow fever vaccine provides life‑long protection for travel purposes. If you were vaccinated once by an authorised clinic and your certificate was completed correctly, you do not need booster shots to satisfy entry requirements. This means your certificate remains valid indefinitely, even if an older card lists an expiry date.

The Public Health Agency of Canada explains that the yellow fever vaccination certificate is valid for life and becomes effective 10 days after vaccination【193124800257198†L435-L448】. The Canadian Travel Clinics website reiterates that one dose of the vaccine gives lifetime immunity and that revaccination is only needed if a certificate has been lost and cannot be replaced【838351147446919†L74-L83】. If you were vaccinated years ago, locate your yellow card and check that the details are legible. If the card is damaged or information is missing, consider obtaining a replacement to avoid delays.

The 10‑day rule: plan your vaccination early

Although the certificate is valid for life, it does not take effect immediately. According to official guidance, the ICVP becomes valid 10 days after your vaccination date【838351147446919†L74-L83】. Border officials will not accept a certificate that is less than 10 days old, because the vaccine needs time to trigger protective antibodies.

With international travel once again booming in 2025, planning ahead is essential. If you suddenly decide to visit Ghana, Brazil or Tanzania – or you book a last‑minute safari through multiple African countries – you need to be vaccinated at least 10 days before arriving at your first port of entry. Travellers from North America or Europe sometimes assume they only need the shot on departure day; unfortunately that assumption can lead to refused boarding or quarantine upon arrival.

Tip: schedule your yellow fever vaccination at a travel clinic as soon as you finalise your itinerary. If you are unsure whether your route passes through a risk area, consult up‑to‑date advisories from reliable sources such as the Public Health Agency of Canada or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Who needs a certificate? Understanding the “arriving‑from” rule

Not every traveller needs to show a yellow fever certificate. Most countries only require it if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk or if you transited through an endemic region for more than a specified time (usually 6–12 hours). The rule applies regardless of your nationality. For example, a Canadian flying from Toronto to Accra via Addis Ababa will need to show the certificate on arrival in Ghana because Ethiopia is a yellow fever risk country. Similarly, a German travelling via São Paulo to Lima may be asked for proof due to the Brazilian transit.

The list of risk countries changes periodically as outbreaks occur or are controlled. Many African nations (e.g., Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda), South American destinations (e.g., Brazil, Colombia, Peru) and some Caribbean territories require proof from travellers arriving from other endemic regions. Destinations in Asia and Europe generally do not ask for a certificate unless you have been in or transited through a risk country. However, requirements for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims may include yellow fever vaccination if pilgrims have travelled through affected regions.

If you are unsure whether you will be asked for proof, err on the side of caution. Carrying a valid certificate avoids being denied boarding during a layover or facing quarantine at the border. Keep in mind that airlines are responsible for enforcing entry requirements – they may prevent you from boarding if your documents are not in order. Always check the latest official guidance for your specific itinerary and country of origin.

How to get your yellow fever certificate

Obtaining a valid yellow fever certificate involves more than just getting a shot. Follow these steps to ensure your card will be accepted at borders:

1. Locate an authorised clinic. Only designated travel or public health clinics can administer the yellow fever vaccine and issue the official ICVP. In the USA, check with your state or county health department. In Canada, refer to government‑approved travel clinics. In Europe, consult national public health agencies or tropical medicine centres. In Africa and Asia, major hospitals and international vaccination centres often provide the service.
2. Bring proper identification. Take your passport and ensure the name on your vaccination card matches your travel documents. Inconsistent names can cause delays at the border. If you have changed your name since receiving the vaccine (e.g., after marriage), ask the clinic to update the certificate or provide documentation linking the names.
3. Get vaccinated and wait 10 days. The clinic will administer an approved vaccine (typically a 17D strain). After vaccination, the card must be filled out completely and stamped with the clinic’s official seal. The certificate will be valid after ten days; plan your travel accordingly【193124800257198†L435-L448】.
4. Check the card for errors. Verify that your name, birthdate, passport number, vaccine batch number and vaccination date are correct and legible. If anything is wrong, ask the clinic to issue a new card immediately.
5. Photograph and digitise your card. Paper cards can easily be damaged or lost. Create high‑resolution scans or photos of the inside and outside of the certificate. Store the digital copy in a secure app like VaxCPass, which encrypts your data and produces an offline QR code for border checks.
6. Carry both paper and digital copies. Keep the original card with your passport, but store a digital backup on your phone. Some border officials prefer to see the physical booklet; others are comfortable with digital proofs. Having both ensures you are prepared for any situation.

Remember that vaccine supplies may be limited in certain regions. Plan your appointment well ahead of busy travel seasons (e.g., holiday periods, Hajj or Olympics) and confirm costs, which can vary by country. If your travel plans change, keep your certificate: you may need it unexpectedly in the future.

Replacing a lost or damaged certificate

If you misplace your yellow fever card or it becomes illegible, do not panic. As long as you can prove you were vaccinated at an authorised clinic, you can obtain a replacement without getting another dose. According to Canadian guidance, you should contact the vaccination centre where you received the vaccine; they can reissue a certificate based on their records【193124800257198†L502-L520】. If the clinic has closed or you were vaccinated many years ago, contact your regional public health authority – they may be able to verify your records. In some cases you may need to be re‑vaccinated if no record exists or if the information cannot be retrieved【193124800257198†L502-L520】.

When requesting a replacement, be ready to provide your passport details, the approximate date and location of your vaccination and any proof you still have (e.g., old stamps or receipts). Once you receive the new card, scan and store it securely with VaxCPass to avoid future headaches.

Transit and layover traps

Many travellers are caught off guard when a simple layover triggers the need for a yellow fever certificate. The so‑called “transit trap” occurs when you pass through a risk country even briefly. Some countries require proof if you spent more than a certain number of hours in transit; others apply the rule regardless of transit duration. For example:

• If you fly from Chicago to São Paulo and then onwards to Lima, the Peruvian authorities may ask for your yellow fever certificate because Brazil is a risk country.
• Passengers transiting through Addis Ababa or Nairobi for more than 12 hours en route from Europe to South Africa may be asked for proof on arrival in Johannesburg.
• A traveller flying from Dubai to Accra via Lagos might need the certificate even if they never left the airport transit area, depending on Ghana’s current rules.

Airlines rely on the Travel Information Manual Automatic (TIMATIC) database to determine documentation requirements. Check the transit rules with your airline and consult government travel advisories before booking complex itineraries. When in doubt, carry your card.

Going digital: keeping your certificate secure and accessible

Paper certificates are fragile. They fade, get torn and can easily be misplaced when you change bags or switch to a smaller wallet. In 2025, travellers across the world expect to carry digital documents – boarding passes, COVID‑19 vaccination certificates and IDs – on their smartphones. Your yellow fever card can join them.

VaxCPass is designed to store your yellow fever certificate securely and make it easy to show proof at checkpoints. After scanning your card, VaxCPass encrypts the data so only you can view it. The app creates an offline QR code that border officials can scan without internet access. You can share access temporarily with airline staff or immigration officers and revoke it when the inspection is complete. If you travel with family, group all cards in a single app account and assign roles so each member controls their own data.

In addition to the yellow fever certificate, VaxCPass can store other vaccination proofs (e.g., polio booster, meningitis A/C/Y/W‑135 for Hajj pilgrims), test results and medical waivers. Keeping everything in one place reduces friction at check‑in counters and immigration desks around the world.

Frequently asked questions

Is the yellow fever certificate valid for life?

Yes. A single approved dose of the vaccine provides lifetime protection for travel purposes. Authorities recognise the certificate indefinitely【838351147446919†L74-L83】【193124800257198†L435-L448】.

When does my certificate become valid?

Ten days after you receive the vaccine. Plan your vaccination accordingly【838351147446919†L74-L83】.

Do I need the certificate for every trip?

You only need to show it if you are arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever risk area. However, carrying it for all trips helps avoid unexpected layovers or route changes that could trigger the requirement.

What if I lost my certificate?

Contact the clinic that vaccinated you. They can usually reissue a certificate using their records. If your record cannot be located, you may need another dose【193124800257198†L502-L520】.

Can I show a digital copy instead of the paper card?

Many officials accept digital proofs, especially when they can scan a QR code. However, regulations differ by country. Carry both the original card and a digital copy to be safe.

Conclusion: travel smarter in 2025

Yellow fever remains a serious public health threat in parts of Africa and South America. For travellers, the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is both a legal requirement and a personal protection measure. By understanding that the certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination and lasts a lifetime【838351147446919†L74-L83】【193124800257198†L435-L448】, you can avoid unnecessary revaccination and ensure your documents are accepted worldwide.

Keep track of your itinerary’s risk factors, get vaccinated at an authorised clinic and safeguard your yellow card by scanning it into a secure app like VaxCPass. When border agents ask for proof, you will be ready – whether you are flying from New York to Nairobi, backpacking across South America or making an unexpected stopover in Addis Ababa.