Update 19/06/23: This content may be outdated
The travel status of various countries can change suddenly, and we recognize that it can be challenging to keep up. This is why we’re providing you with the travel-related information you need to make informed decisions. A growing number of nations are reopening their borders to international travel.
After two years of stringent restrictions, travel has begun to resemble the ‘normal’ preceding the pandemic. From vaccination certificates to testing to last-minute border closures, aspiring jet setters have adhered to stringent regulations.
This year, however, the tide has turned. Thirty countries have eliminated their remaining entry restrictions in the past few months. Even though 109 countries still have some travel restrictions in place, 118 are entirely open – at least to travelers who have been vaccinated.
Even if you have not been vaccinated, you may enter and exit the country as you did before the pandemic. There are many alluring destinations on the list, including the United Kingdom, which has no Covid travel restrictions. Slowly, the number of destinations on the list is growing, including numerous European locations.
Even if you are not fully vaccinated, you still have numerous options for vacation destinations. You may be required to take a Covid test before travel and/or upon arrival. A period of quarantine may also be required, either at an accommodation of your choosing or a government facility. You can sometimes avoid these additional requirements by providing proof of recent Covid recovery or a medical exemption from vaccination.
It’s always a good idea to check restrictions between countries before traveling, as they can vary significantly. A few countries still prohibit even vaccinated travelers from crossing their borders.
Which nations have the strictest COVID vaccination requirements for travelers?
China
Still adhering to a “zero-COVID” policy, China requires all incoming travelers to undergo ten days of hotel quarantine at their own expense. Additionally, they must be negative upon arrival.
Tourists are not permitted at this time. According to a September draft policy document issued by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, tour groups organized by travel agencies may soon be permitted.
Nauru
All travelers must remain in isolation until a negative PCR result is obtained. If the test is positive, quarantine is required for 14 days.
Turkmenistan
All foreign travellers are banned.
North Korea
All foreign visitors are prohibited, and this has been the case since before COVID.
Where is quarantine still required for vaccinated but have tested positive travelers?
In certain countries, vaccinated travelers are still required to undergo quarantine, but only if they test positive on a mandatory COVID test administered upon arrival; the countries are:
- Indonesia
- Myanmar
- Nepal (only symptomatic travellers are required to test)
- Bangladesh (only symptomatic travellers are required to test)
- Iran (pre-flight test required) (pre-flight test required)
- Burundi
- Congo
- Cameroon
- Burkina Faso (Travelers with a positive COVID lateral flow test upon arrival are required to quarantine for 72 hours at their own expense in a hotel while they await the PCR test result. Positive COVID PCR tests necessitate quarantine in medical facilities.)
- Mauritania (10 days quarantine if you test positive)
- Venezuela
- Taiwan (Taiwan has recently eliminated numerous restrictions on incoming tourists (only symptomatic travellers are required to test).
These nations’ reasons for retaining border restrictions vary. Vaccine distribution has been halted in some nations due to a lack of available doses. For instance, less than one per cent of Burundi’s population has received two vaccine doses.
The United States, China, and Indonesia are among the countries that continue to prohibit unvaccinated travellers.
In addition, some countries still require unvaccinated travelers to undergo quarantine or present a negative test result.