Updated: 18 Feb 2022
Latest Travel Restrictions for Popular Asian Countries
There are many good news for the asian countries doing the best to open the borders and welcome the international tourists.
Some highly tourism-dependent destinations in Asia have come up with schemes that offer quarantine-free entry to foreign travelers only in select locations or under certain conditions, while others continue to mandate hotel quarantines or keep their borders closed altogether. But, generally, nations in this region are being very cautious in their approaches to reopening.
Some countries’ borders may remain closed or they might maintain prohibitive entry policies, but there’s no lack of international travel demand just waiting to be tapped into. Global travelers have waited two years for the chance to explore the Far East, Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific regions, but, depending upon their desired destination, they find themselves yet waiting indefinitely.
Has the Asia destination you're hoping to visit reopened to international travelers yet? Here are some of those countries’ respective answers to that question.
Cambodia
Cambodia is accepting fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. without quarantine, provided they fulfill certain requirements. American visitors must provide their vaccination certificate, plus a “negative medical certificate” (i.e., test results) from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. They’ll also need to take a rapid test upon arrival and await their results at the airport.
The U.S. Embassy in Cambodia also notes: “All travelers must present a valid visa issued by a Cambodian Embassy or Consulate. The Government of Cambodia has suspended visa-on-arrival programs until further notice.”
China
China continues to stick firmly with its zero-COVID strategy, prolonging its isolation from the rest of the globe. For travel to China, you need a special invitation and approval from the government. South China Morning Post reported in January that President Xi Jinping had implemented a plan for fast-tracking the issuance of entry invitations to American executives (well, only those from certain companies), called the ‘U.S.-China Fast Track Travel Channel Program’, according to a statement made by the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China). The outlet reported AmCham China also conveyed, “U.S. travelers under the fast-track program will still face quarantine in hotels designated by Chinese local authorities and will receive no special treatment.”
Indonesia
Short answer: Yes, but only in two places.
Vaccinated U.S. travelers visiting Indonesia for leisure purposes are permitted to enter only via the airport in Bali or the port of Riau Islands. Travelers must hold a valid visa before heading to Indonesia, as Visa-free and visa-on-arrival (VoA) entry remain suspended until further notice.
Arrivals must provide multiple documents: proof that they’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19; a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of their departure; a short-visit visa or other entry permit; proof of booking and payment for quarantine accommodations; and proof that they’ve purchased travel health insurance with a coverage minimum of $25,000, which includes COVID-related treatment and hospitalization during their trip.
According to the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia, travelers are also subject to a PCR test at the airport upon arrival and another test one day prior to their release from quarantine. Quarantine requirements are five full, 24-hours days for individuals who have received both doses of a two-dose vaccine, and seven 24-hour days for those who haven’t received both doses.
Japan
Short answer: It's a solid “No”.
Japan has given no indication as to if or when it plans on relaxing its strict border policies that exclude most foreign nationals from entry, including U.S. citizens. Any travelers who are granted an exemption are subject to a seven-day quarantine upon arrival (regardless of vaccination status) and must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departing on the first international leg of their flight. These test results must meet very strict documentation requirements and be presented in a very particular format. Any foreign national who received special permission to travel to Japan should visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website for the prescribed format.
Malaysia
Short answer: Not yet, but possibly soon.
Malaysia has kept its borders closed since March 2020, except to travelers from Singapore due to an existing bilateral agreement. But, Reuters reported in early February that Malaysia's coronavirus recovery council was recommending that the country’s borders be fully reopened as early as March 1, with quarantine requirements waived for vaccinated tourists.
About 98 percent of the peninsular nation’s adult population has reportedly received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, with more than half having received a booster jab. Roughly 89 percent of kids between the ages of 12 and 17 are already vaccinated, and the government just launched a mass vaccination campaign on February 3 to inoculate children ages five through 11.
Maldives
Short answer: Yes, with restrictions.
All inbound international travelers to the Maldives over one year of age (regardless of vaccination status) are required to provide a negative pre-departure PCR test taken within 96 hours of boarding their flight. Travelers who have recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 60 days and continue to get a positive PCR result must present a recovery certificate.
Foreign visitors must also take a post-arrival PCR test between the third and fifth day of their trip. According to the U.S. Mission to Maldives, they’ll also need to hold a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of checking out of their guesthouse on any inhabited island.
Maldives Immigration notes that the archipelagic nation also requires travelers to have a pre-paid hotel or accommodations booking and hold an airline ticket for return to their home country or for onward travel elsewhere.
All international travelers, including children, must complete a Traveler Health Declaration form within 48 hours of their departure for the Maldives.
A 30-day tourist visa is granted to foreign tourists upon arrival, making that part of the process easy.
Philippines
Short answer: Yes, with restrictions.
As of February 10, the Philippines is accepting fully vaccinated visitors from 150 countries that have visa-free entry permissions, including the U.S. Such foreign travelers are no longer required to quarantine at government-run facilities but must present proof of full vaccination, as well as a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure from their country of origin.
Travelers who don’t require visas for entry must hold a valid airline ticket for a departure from the Philippines occurring within 30 days of their arrival date.
Lastly, international visitors must supply proof that they’ve purchased travel insurance with a minimum coverage amount of $35,000 that will cover care and treatment, should they contract COVID-19 during their trip.
Singapore
Short answer: Yes, with restrictions.
The U.S. qualifies as an approved country under Singapore’s ‘Vaccinated Travel Lanes’ (VTL) program, so travelers from the 50 states and U.S. territories are eligible for entry if they meet certain criteria and conditions.
Prospective visitors will need to provide proof of full vaccination (except for kids 12 and under) or certified proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 90 days. Foreign travelers must apply for a ‘Vaccinated Travel Pass’ (VTP) anywhere between three and 60 days prior to departure and ensure they obtain an appropriate visa.
They’ll also need to provide a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test taken within two days of their departure for Singapore, take a PCR test upon arrival at their own cost, and submit self-administered antigen tests from day two through day seven of their trip, if they plan on leaving their accommodations. Travelers must also install the TraceTogether mobile app (kids age six and under are exempt from this rule).
South Korea
Short answer: Yes, with a few conditions.
South Korea is allowing visitors from the U.S., with certain conditions attached. Airline passengers must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of their departure. Upon arrival, travelers, “will experience some combination of temperature screening, health questionnaires, quarantines, and/or COVID-tests, depending on points of departure, visa status, and nationality,” according to the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea. Foreign visitors are also required to download the Self-Check Mobile App, where they’ll need to answer health-related questions every day for seven days.
Thailand
Short answer: Yes, with restrictions.
At the start of February, Thailand resumed registration for its ‘Test & Go’ program, which grants quarantine-free entry to fully vaccinated travelers from any country, but other requirements must also be fulfilled.
Foreign visitors will need to provide proof that they’ve booked and paid for accommodations at government-approved hotels on the first and fifth days of their stay and that they’ve paid for two PCR tests, plus a prearranged airport transfer on day one. The first PCR test is administered upon arrival in the country, and travelers must await their results at their approved hotel, then take their second PCR test on day five at a pre-arranged testing center. The MorChana app, which visitors should download upon arrival, even issues a reminder.
Additionally, Thailand requires tourists to purchase an insurance policy with minimum coverage of $50,000 to cover any COVID-related health issues that might arise during their trip.
Vietnam
Short answer: Yes, it’s very clear.
The new policy for the international tourists.
Vietnam welcomes international tourists and returning Vietnamese who meet the following conditions:
Present proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, with the last dose at least 14 days and not more than 1 year prior to date of entry.
Or present a certificate of recovery from COVID-19. The time between hospital discharge and entry date must not exceed 6 months.
Present a negative result from an RT-PCR/RT-LAMP-method test administered within 72 hours before boarding (from the time of test).
Have medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment, with minimum liability at $50,000. This is typically about USD 40. Contact your travel agent.
Present booking with an approved package tour program of a travel agency.
Which Vaccine certificates Vietnam accept?
You will need a vaccine certificate and/or recovery documentation to enter the country. We currently accept vaccine certificates and/or recovery documentation from 78 countries (according to the Consular Department). Please check back for updates.
Asia Pacific: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Republic of Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, Commonwealth of Australia.
Europe/Middle East/Africa: Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, San Marino, Slovakia, Republic of South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Republic of Zimbabwe.
North America: Canada, United States.
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico.
