Travel Restrictions: The World's Top Places With and Without Entry Requirements
COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions and entry requirements for international travelers are easing or being eliminated altogether around the world more than two years into the worldwide health crisis. Nonetheless, traveling abroad still isn't as easily accomplished as it was prior to the pandemic. Many of the world's most visited countries have dropped any remaining restrictions but others are still screening arrivals in an effort to slow the spread and protect their populations. Here's a breakdown of what travelers can expect in the world's top destinations heading into the end of 2022. Africa Kenya is open to fully vaccinated travelers without testing requirements. However, eligible unvaccinated travelers over the age of five will require a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours before departure and must submit to a $30 rapid antigen test upon arrival. Morocco is open to travelers who complete a health form and present proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result that's less than 72 hours old. South Africa is open without restrictions as of late June. Asia Hong Kong has eased quarantine restrictions on international travelers, requiring three days in a quarantine hotel and four days of home medical surveillance. International travel to Japan remains very limited to packaged group tours. As of August 1, all travelers can enter Malaysia regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status and do not require a pre-departure or on-arrival test. South Korea has reopened to international travel but visitors face testing requirements regardless of their vaccination status. Thailand is open to fully vaccinated travelers and unvaccinated travelers with a recent negative PCR test or a medically administered ATK test taken within 72 hours of travel. Vietnam dropped COVID-related testing requirements for all international arrivals in May. Caribbean As of June 19, fully vaccinated travelers can visit the Bahamas with proof while unvaccinated visitors age 2 and older will require a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than three days prior to travel. The British Virgin Islands removed COVID testing requirements in mid-July. Travelers can continue to visit the Dominican Republic without any COVID-related restrictions. However, visitors arriving by air must complete the free electronic entry and exit form (E-Ticket) combining the Traveler's Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms. Jamaica ended its pre-travel testing requirements in April. Puerto Rico is open to international travelers with proof of vaccination while Americans can visit without restrictions. Saint Lucia is open to fully vaccinated visitors and unvaccinated travelers aged 5 years and older with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test completed within five days of arrival. Travelers must also complete the health screening form. The US Virgin Islands eliminated COVID-related entry requirements on June 1. Europe Croatia has also eliminated COVID-related restrictions for entry. France lifted its remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions on August 1, meaning travelers no longer require proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test result to visit. Germany is open to international visitors without any COVID-related restrictions. Greece is no longer enforcing travel restrictions related to COVID-19. Travelers can also visit Iceland without worrying of any pandemic-related travel restrictions. Italy eliminated entry requirements such as proof of vaccination on June 1. Travelers from the U.S. and many other countries outside of Europe can visit Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole with proof of vaccination or recovery from the virus. Visitors to Spain traveling from outside the European Union or Schengen countries will require a certificate proving either full vaccination, a negative PCR or rapid antigen test or proof of recovery. There are no COVID-related restrictions for travelers visiting Turkey. The United Kingdom lifted its remaining COVID-19 restrictions related to travel in mid-March, allowing easier travel to London and other tourist-friendly destinations. Middle East 2022 World Cup host, Qatar has reopened to international visitors but travelers will want to understand their requirements, if any, based on their origin country. Saudi Arabia removed most COVID-19 restrictions for travelers in March but still requires proof of insurance covering the cost of treatment in the event that visitors contract the virus. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is open to travelers who can confirm proof of vaccination or present proof of recovery or a negative test PCR test conducted within 48 hours before arrival. North America Canada has extended COVID restrictions through the end of September at least. Visitors will need to be fully vaccinated or show a recent negative COVID-19 test and quarantine for two weeks upon arrival. Visitors must also download the ArriveCAN app to input their traveler details. Visitors to Mexico will not face any COVID-related travel restrictions. The United States eliminated testing and proof of recovery requirements for international travelers in June but still requires arriving non-citizens to have proof of vaccination unless they are exempted. Oceania Fiji requires visitors to be fully vaccinated, have proof of insurance and pre-book a rapid antigen test to take on arrival. French Polynesia has eased travel requirements, making it easier to visit Tahiti, Bora Bora and other favorites. However, travelers should update themselves based on their flight route. Travelers to New Zealand are still required to test upon arrival and on the fifth or sixth day of their stay and complete the New Zealand Traveler Declaration form prior to arrival. South America Brazil is open to travelers with proof of vaccination prior to boarding their flight. Travelers to Chile must complete the "Travel Affidavit" form online up to 48 hours before boarding their flight. Colombia mandates that international travelers provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result taken within 48 hours (rapid antigen) or 72 hours (PCR) of travel. Peru requires visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a negative test result taken within 48 hours of their flight. Travelers will also need to complete a Health Declaration form. |