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destination updates

Discova Destination Updates

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Last Updated: May 17, 2022

This page is regularly updated with the latest information on border status, entry requirements, and COVID restrictions across our destinations.

Check below for a snapshot view of travel restrictions per market and destination. Otherwise, navigate the contents to check the latest for each country.

For further information, or if you have any destination-specific questions, please reach out to our helpful, knowledgeable teams.

Entry regulations Asia and Americas

Destinations

🇹🇭 Thailand

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As from 1 May, Thailand has simplified its entry requirements for fully vaccinated and un-/partially-vaccinated travellers.

Fully-vaccinated travellers simply have to:

  • Apply for a Thailand Pass.
  • Provide proof of vaccination (for those 18 years and older).
  • Provide proof of Covid-19 insurance policy with USD$10,000 minimum coverage.
  • No pre-arrival or on-arrival Covid test is required.

 

*Unaccompanied travellers 5-17 years of age must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine post-infection must have a medical certificate of COVID-19 recovery.

Un-/partially-vaccinated travellers: 

  • Covid-19  insurance policy with coverage of no less than US$10,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
  • A proof of prepayment for 5 nights quarantine at government-approved hotel, plus a proof of prepayment for 1 RT-PCR COVID-19 test. Thais are not required to prepay for the test.
  • The quarantine is exempt for un-/partially-vaccinated travellers who are able to upload proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours before departure via the Thailand Pass system. The exemption also extends to travellers under 6 years of age travelling with parents.
 

If you have any questions, we encourage you to reach out to our teams who will help and advise in any way they can.

  • All travellers, regardless of their mode of entry, have to apply for a Thailand Pass before travel.

    They can do this at tp.consular.go.th where they will submit required documents (see above). After receiving confirmation of approval, travellers will receive their Thailand Pass QR code.

Follow all the latest developments on the Tourism Authority Thailand (TAT) news page, a great source for updates.

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🇻🇳 Vietnam 

Vietnam is now open for international tourists (as from March 15th). Vaccinated travellers will be able to enter the country without quarantine and will be able to travel freely throughout the country.  

The country also resumes 15-day visa exemption for 13 countries: Germany, UK, Northern Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Belarus. Citizens from these countries may enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 15 days, regardless of passport type and entry purpose. This exemption is supposed to be in place from 15 March, 2022 until 14 March, 2025.

The country has also resumed e-visa for citizens from 80 countries and visa-on-arrival. 

As ever, if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our teams for the latest info.

Pre-arrival:

  • Travellers are no longer required to present COVID-19 vaccination or recent recovery certificates, but are advised to do so just in case it is requested.
 
  • Travellers must purchase medical insurance that covers Covid treatment to the value of 10 000 USD. Some countries may not provide this type of insurance, and should this be the case for your travellers, please contact Vietnam Sales & Reservations teams for further support. Discova Vietnam works with insurance suppliers and we can pre-buy this service for our partners. The estimated fee is 30 USD per person. 
 
 

On Arrival:

  • At the border gate, if a traveller shows symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, they must immediately notify the health agency at the border gate to take medical measures as regulated.

  • Children under two years old are not required to take COVID-19 tests, and they can still enter Vietnam and take part in activities outside of the place of accommodation with their parents or relatives.
  • Quarantine-free from day one, but in the first 10 days after entry, travellers should self-monitor their health and if any symptoms develop, ask for assistance from the nearest medical facilities.
 
  • Travellers are asked to frequently wear masks and disinfect their hands.
  • We are awaiting details of what the visa application process will look like.
  • It is unclear whether travellers need to stay in the hotel for 24 hours after taking a test, or leave as soon as they receive negative results.
  • It is unclear how travel from the airport will be handled – must this be pre-booked, or can travellers make their own way on arrival?

 

As soon as we have further confirmed details, we will update them here.

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🇮🇩 Indonesia

  • Fully-vaccinated travellers no longer need to provide proof of negative Covid test result upon arrival in Indonesia. Vaccinated travellers also do not need to take a PCR test upon arrival (as long as they pass the body temperature screening) or stay in a CHSE hotel.
  • Travellers from a list of 60 selected countries may opt to enter with Visa on Arrival (VoA) instead of a sponsored visa.
  • As from 6 April, Indonesia has reintroduced visa exemption for the following 9 ASEAN countries: Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Citizens from these countries no longer have to pay for a VoA and can enter for free.
  • Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers must undergo 4N/5D quarantine.
  • As from 7 March, 2022, Indonesia initiated a pilot project for entry into Bali. During this pilot phase, fully vaccinated travellers may now enter Bali without having to undergo quarantine. Fully-vaccinated travellers include those who have received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine and those who have received two doses of other vaccine types (no booster is required). 
  • Foreign nationals from all other countries that do not fall under the 60 selected for VoA eligibility (see list below), must still enter under the special B211 visa scheme previously introduced.

Visa on Arrival will be available for travellers from these 60 countries, upon entry via Bali:

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Netherlands, Philippines, Tunisia, Turkey, UEA, USA, Vietnam, Austria, Croatia, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Czech Republic, Estonia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Timor Leste, Tunisia, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Greece, Ireland.

 

  • The cost for VoA is IDR 500.000 (pay on the spot), payment can be made by Cash, Debit Card or Credit Card (Master Card and Visa only).
  • The VoA is valid for 30 days.
  • Terms and conditions:
    1. Tourists should book accommodation in the Bali area which is already CHSE certified, for minimum 4 days. After the 4 days they may visit other areas beyond Bali.
    2. Tourists who do not have Covid-19 insurance can buy a package at the Bali airport upon arrival, priced at IDR 1.500.000 including 1 x PCR (Day 1), insurance IDR 800.000.
    3. Tourists need to do a PCR test upon arrival at Bali airport, costing IDR 275.000 per person. After the test, travellers are free to leave the airport and continue to their accommodation. They must stay in the room until they receive the test result, which will be sent to their email within 3-6 hours.

Discova Indonesia can be a guarantor and assist your clients in obtaining the B211A Visa for travellers. 

Required documentation:

  1. Passport that is valid for at least 6 months.
  2. A return ticket or connecting flight to prove onward journey to another country after leaving Indonesia.
  3. 2x colour photograph, size 4 cm x 6 cm.
  4. Proof of having living expenses while in the Indonesia Territory at a value of least USD 2,000.
 
  • Visa fee: IDR 2,000,000 per person.
 

Terms and conditions:

  1. This E-Visa can be applied for all countries around the world (no quota limitation) who are not eligible for VoA.
  2. No refund of money if the visa is rejected.
  3. E-Visa validity is 60 days and can be extended to maximum of 6 months at the Immigration Office in Bali with cost IDR 500.000
  4. Process approval visa verification takes 5 days to 7 days.
  5. Visa working hours are from 9 AM – 16 PM GMT+8 (Mon– Fri). 
  • Provide proof of vaccination certificate (obtained at least 14 days before arrival).
  • Download PeduliLindungi app (tracing app).
  • Verify your e-Hac (An Electronic Health Alert Certificate that will generate a unique barcode to show on arrival).
  • Register e-CD (Electronic Custom Declaration).
  • Provide the proof of your quarantine hotel booking (5 x 24 hours) if required.
  • Prepare negative PCR result if unvaccinated.
  • Prepare immigration documents.
  • Prepare travel insurance (insurance coverage of Covid-19 USD 25,000 /person).
  • Comply with health protocols during stay in Indonesia.
  • PCR test will be conducted on day 4 of the quarantine period.
  • Tourists can travel around Indonesia after quarantine is completed.
  • Although Bali is technically open to visitors, the lack of international flights available effectively means it is difficult to travel there.
  • Since February 16th, however, Singapore Airlines flies direct to Bali from Singapore. This means international visitors can fly to Bali via Singapore.
 
 

Should the pilot project in Bali prove successful, we may soon see similar changes being implemented for the rest of Indonesia. 

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🇯🇵 Japan

  • Japan’s borders remain closed for widespread international travel.
  • Foreign arrivals with special permission to enter have to submit a certificate of negative test result conducted within 72 hours prior to departing for Japan. They are subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival followed by a 10-day quarantine.
  • Japan’s state of emergency ended on October 1. However, each district has encouraged people to ‘remain careful’. Essentially, mask-wearing and social distancing are advised, and many business places are working at limited capacity.
  • Domestic flights are operating as normal.
  • This month (May), Japan is carrying out a trial project in which fully-vaccinated (3 doses) foreign travellers from four countries may enter on package tours. The four countries are the United States, Australia, Thailand and Singapore, having been identified as lower risk and priority markets. This comes ahead of a planned further easing of border curbs next month, subject to domestic and global Covid-19 case numbers. Visitors must purchase their own medical insurance and take part in packaged tours with predetermined itineraries approved by the government. They are to be accompanied by a tour guide throughout.
  • We wanted to confirm the above news and were told that this is only open for travel agency staff working in these four countries, and the tours are organised by seven agencies in Japan, all Japanese owned.
  • The government is considering reducing the quarantine time for vaccinated foreign nationals that arrive in Japan for short business trips, study abroad and technical training to three days from the current 10.

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🇸🇬 Singapore

  • As from 1 April, all international fully-vaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter Singapore without having to apply for entry approvals or take designated VTL transport (plane or ferry).
  • As from 26 April, Singapore no longer requires fully vaccinated travellers (or non-vaccinated children under 12) to take a pre-departure PCR test before entering. Additionally, there is no quarantine requirement, and no test on arrival for fully vaccinated travellers (or non-vaccinated children under 12).
  • Pre-arrival requirements: fully vaccinated travellers must download TraceTogether app and register a profile. 3 days before departure for Singapore, travellers must submit SG Arrival Card and e-health declaration via the free e-service on Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.
  • On-arrival requirements: None
  • In-destination requirements: follow local laws – mask-wearing is optional, gatherings of more than 10 persons is currently prohibited.
  • Non-vaccinated travellers above the age of 13 will be required to take a pre-departure test within two days before departure for Singapore, and undergo a 7-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN), with a PCR test at the conclusion of their SHN.

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🇲🇾 Malaysia

  • As from 1 May, fully-vaccinated travellers 13 years old and above and children 12 years old and younger may enter Malaysia without having to take a pre-departure RT-PCR test or RTK-AG test within 24 hours of arrival. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers (unless they’re 12 and younger) will still have to take these tests, and those who are 18 years and older will have to undergo 5 days of quarantine. 
  • Covid-19 travel insurance is no longer required for all travellers arriving from 1 May.
  • From 1 May, MySejahtera Check-in is no longer mandatory to enter premises or public spaces and entry into premises is allowed regardless of vaccination status.
  • From 1 May, wearing of masks is only mandatory in indoor settings.

Pre-Arrival

  • Valid visa.

  • Proof of vaccination at least 14 days before departure. Travellers can check their vaccination status under Malaysia’s stipulations here: https://www.mysafetravel.gov.my/vaccine/status 

  • Proof of negative test within 72 hours of departure (for partially or unvaccinated travellers).

  • Download MySejahtera App (Malaysia’s tracing application), fill in pre-departure form and verify covid-19 vaccination certificate.

 

On Arrival

  • An official at the airport will check all documents.
  • RTK-AG test within 24 hours of arrival for unvaccinated/partially vaccinated travellers who have not taken a pre-departure test.

Further easing of restrictions will be updated here.

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🇰🇭 Cambodia

  • Cambodia’s Prime Minister has announced that the country’s borders will open for fully-vaccinated tourists from November 15th with no need for quarantine.
  • Unvaccinated travellers will still have to quarantine for 14 days.
  • Travellers no longer need to provide proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test result and no longer have to undergo a rapid test upon arrival. They will have to provide proof of Covid vaccination upon arrival, and are still encouraged to take a rapid test by themselves, even if this is no longer a requirement.
  • The Visa on Arrival service is available again for travellers entering via air, land or sea.
  • According to the Financial Times, Cambodia is the third most vaccinated country of our Asia destinations, behind China and Singapore, having vaccinated almost 90% of its population.
  • These are the conditions for entry from November 15th: proof of vaccination at least 14 days before entry.
  • Provided these conditions are met, visitors from any country will be allowed entry.
  • Visitors will be allowed to explore the different regions of Cambodia restriction-free.
  • On arrival, visitors will need to download ‘tracerapp’.
  • In-destination, mask-wearing is obligatory, gatherings are banned, and restrictions vary across regions depending on case numbers.

Many places are reporting that a proof of insurance cover is necessary for entry. We can confirm that this is not a mandatory requirement.

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🇲🇲 Myanmar

  • As from 15 May, e-Visa tourist applications will be allowed and accepted again. 
  • As from 17 April, Myanmar has allowed the resumption of international commercial flights/arrivals.
  • After a suspension of two years, Myanmar’s online e-Visa website is accepting applications again from 1 April. This applies to business visas only (no tourist visas yet). The official visa-application site is now live: https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/Business
  • For those entering under special circumstances, there is a 10-day quarantine, and flights must be purchased at least 6 days before departure.
  • Details regarding entry regulations for tourist visitors can be found here: Myanmar eVisa (Official Government Website) (moip.gov.mm). Visitors will need to provide proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure, and an inbound Travel Accident Insurance Policy with COVID-19 coverage purchased from Myanma Insurance.
  • More details regarding the entry requirements for business travellers can be found here: https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/Home/Covid19Requirements
  • State of emergency declared until 2023.
  • Martial law has been declared in some townships.
  • There is a nightly curfew from 10pm-4am.

Since the military takeover, vaccination drives and travel arrangements have been significantly disrupted. We will update on the situation in Myanmar whenever we know more.

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🇱🇦 Laos

  • As of 9 May, Laos is officially fully open to international travellers.
  • A Lao Green Pass, Covid insurance and on-arrival test is no longer required. 
  • Fully-vaccinated travellers only need to provide their certificate of vaccination upon entering, and those who are not fully vaccinated only have to take a Covid ATK test within 48 hours before departure.
  • Private vehicles may be used to enter and exit Laos.
  • Citizens of countries that have signed a bilateral or unilateral visa waiver agreement with Laos can enter without applying for a visa.
    Citizens of countries that have not signed visa waiver agreements with Laos can apply for a visa at Lao embassies or consulates in foreign countries. Visitors can also apply for a visa online or on arrival at border crossings where such service is available.
  • Upon arrival, guests will need to download Laos’ contact tracing app, ‘LaoStaySafe’.  
  • Laos has finished finished building a railway that will link Vientiane with Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang and up to the Chinese border. When travellers return, this will be a significant upgrade to getting around the country.

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🇨🇳 China

  • There has been no specific date given with regard to opening up the country for foreign tourists.
  • News agencies are reporting that the target of 80% vaccination of the population needs to be reached before any relaxation occurs.
  • Those allowed to enter under exceptional circumstances will be quarantined in designated facilities for 14 days for medical observation. After 14 days quarantine, 7 days of home isolation is requested.
  • China continues its ‘zero covid’ policy with strict restrictions and local lockdowns going into effect at the first sight of cases. There were lockdowns in Xiamen and Putian in September after cases only in the single digits.
  • Life is largely back to normal in China. Citizens still need to use their tracing apps to show they have ‘green’ status to use pubic transport, but most things are open. Things can change quickly.

We expect the tracing app with the traffic light system to be a feature foreign tourists will have to use once they arrive.

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🇭🇰 Hong Kong

  • Visitors from mainland China have been allowed entry without quarantine from September 15.
  • From 01 May, foreign travellers will be subjected to the same procedures for entry as Hong Kong residents:
    • Travellers must provide proof of vaccination, along with negative PCR test results taken within 48hrs of the scheduled departure time of the flight to Hong Kong.
    • All travellers must undergo a COVID-19 test on arrival, prior to clearing immigration and baggage collection.
    • All travellers must quarantine for 7-days at a designated quarantine hotel (DQH).
  • Gathering restrictions will remain at four people in public until further notice.
  • The government requires mask-wearing when using public transport, including in terminals. Travellers need to wear masks in indoor and outdoor public places.
  • Restaurants, along with gyms, hotels, cinemas, and other scheduled venues, are required to display QR codes for the LeaveHomeSafe mobile app. People scan on entering these places to trace movement in case of covid outbreaks.

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🇲🇽 Mexico

Mexico is open to travellers. There is no need to provide a negative PCR test or quarantine on arrival. 

  • Travellers returning to the US will need to take a covid test. This can be a PCR test or the cheaper antigen test. These tests are available everywhere locally, almost all hotels offer this service on-site.
  • Mexico uses a four-tier traffic light system for covid restrictions across different states. Quintana Roo, where popular tourist destinations Cancun and Playa del Carmen are located, is listed as yellow, which means all shops, businesses, bars and restaurants can be open up to 60% capacity.

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🇨🇷 Costa Rica

  • Borders are open to tourists from all countries.
  • All travellers can enter the country without a travel policy and travellers no longer have to fill out a health pass before entering. 
  • There are no longer any Covid-19 related entry requirements for Costa Rica, however, rules may change at short notice. Remain up-to-date with out Destination Updates.

The list of authorized vaccines (to be exempt from the need for a travel policy) include:

  1. AstraZeneca
  2. Janssen
  3. Moderna
  4. Pfizer-BioNTech
  5. Sinovac
  6. Sinopharm
  7. Covaxin
  8.  
  • No changes are expected, but stay up-to-date here with our regular updates.

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🇩🇴 Dominican Republic

  • The Dominican Republic is open for tourism without any need for quarantine.
  • Some travellers do not even need to show a negative covid test depending on the country of origin.
  • For example, those from the US do not need to present a negative test, but those from the UK do.
  • At the airport, some passengers are chosen at random to take a covid test.
  • All foreign and Dominican passengers entering or leaving the Dominican Republic on commercial flights must complete the free electronic entry and exit form.
  • The use of face masks is mandatory in public places. Social distancing is also mandatory where possible.
  • As of October 11, the nighttime curfew is no longer in effect.
  • Vaccination cards will not be needed to gain access to hotels or resorts. However, travellers will need to show vaccine passes to gain access to some shops, malls, restaurants, gyms, museums, and other public places.

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