Yellow Fever Certificate
Also known as: International Certificate of Vaccination, ICV, Yellow card, Carte jaune, WHO vaccination certificate, Vaccination certificate
A yellow fever certificate is official proof of vaccination required for entry to certain countries — valid from 10 days after the jab.
Last updated: 2 April 2026
Real-world example
You're flying from Nairobi to Mumbai with a layover in Addis Ababa. At immigration in Mumbai, an officer asks for your yellow fever certificate because you transited through Ethiopia, a yellow fever endemic country. You don't have one. You're pulled aside, given a vaccination at the airport, and quarantined in a holding area for 6 days. Your onward plans are destroyed.
Why travellers need to know
Yellow fever certificate requirements catch travellers on transit routes, not just at their final destination. India, for example, doesn't require the certificate for direct arrivals from Europe, but does if you transit through an endemic country in Africa or South America. The certificate only becomes valid 10 days after vaccination, so last-minute jabs don't count. Check requirements for every country in your itinerary, including transit stops.
Country-specific notes
Required for travel to Amazonian states
Brazil requires yellow fever vaccination for visitors entering Amazonian states (Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Tocantins). Coastal cities like Rio and Sao Paulo do not require it, but the WHO recommends vaccination for all Brazil travel.
Tip
Get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before your trip. The certificate is valid for life since 2016, so a single vaccination covers all future travel.
Frequently asked questions
How Nomedic helps
Store your yellow fever certificate date in your Nomedic health record, so border officials can verify your vaccination status from your emergency card.
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