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destination updates

Discova Destination Updates

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Last Updated: 9 January, 2023

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.

Destinations

🇰🇭 Cambodia

 

  • All travellers no longer need to provide proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test result, Covid-19 vaccination or provide a passenger’s health declaration upon arrival in Cambodia. 
  • The Visa on Arrival service is available again for travellers entering via air, land or sea.
 
  • Visitors will be allowed to explore the different regions of Cambodia restriction-free.
  • In-destination, mask-wearing is obligatory in indoor public settings.

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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🇨🇳 China

  • There has been no specific date given with regard to opening up the country for foreign tourists.
  • Centralised quarantine time for inbound travellers and close contacts are changed to five days + three days of home isolation, which means China now implements 5+3 policy.
  • People are required to wear masks and practice social distancing.
  • China uses a QR code system to trace residents. The codes function like traffic lights, a user who generates a green code can travel freely within the country while those that have a red or orange code may need to be quarantined for up to two weeks. This QR code system is compulsory in public spaces, which means everyone will need to scan the code to board a subway/enter a building.
  • Those allowed to enter under exceptional circumstances will be quarantined in designated facilities for 7 days for medical observation. After the 7 days of quarantine, 3 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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🇨🇷 Costa Rica

  • Borders are open to tourists from all countries based on migration processes established in the General Law of Migration and Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica.
  • 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

  • Mask wearing is mandatory in health establishments like hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and EBAIS. 
  1.  
  • All establishments, activities and events can work at 100% capacity. 

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🇨🇺 Cuba

  • Cuba is open to all travellers. There is no need to provide a negative PCR test or quarantine on arrival. Arriving passengers are sometimes randomly selected for on-arrival RT-PCR testing.
  • Anyone testing positive on arrival will be moved to quarantine in a designated government health centre, at their own expense. Direct contacts of those testing positive will either be moved to a designated government health centre or allowed to self-isolate in their own accommodation depending on their circumstances. 
  • Travellers are recommended to wear masks on public transportation and in public places where it is not possible to keep a distance. Travellers are required to wear masks in medical consultations, and in hospitals.
  • Travellers’ passports should be valid for at least two months after their departure date from Cuba.
  • Medical insurance is required for Cuba, and it must cover any type of medical emergency, including Covid-19. Medical insurance can be bought in Cuba at the airport or at www.cubatravel.cu if travellers don’t have it prior to travel.

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🇩🇴 Dominican Republic

  • The Dominican Republic is open for tourism without any need for Covid testing, proof of vaccination, or quarantine.
  • When required, random Covid testing may be performed on arrival.
  • 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 recommended in indoor public places and public transport. 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, restaurants, shops, etc. 

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🇭🇰 Hong Kong

Starting from 29 December 2022, travellers who test negative for COVID-19 (Rapid Antigen Test) are welcome to visit Hong Kong without quarantine and medical surveillance.

Before departure:

  1. Be fully vaccinated (not applicable to travellers from Mainland China / Macao / Taiwan and Hong Kong residents). For details, please consult the ‘List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes.’
  2. Inbound travellers aged 3 or above are required to conduct a rapid antigen test within 24 hours, or undergo a PCR-based nucleic acid test within 48 hours, prior to the scheduled time of flight departure (if you enter Hong Kong via the airport) or the scheduled time of arrival (if you enter via other boundary control points). Make sure you have a negative test result and keep a photo of the test result for 90 days for inspection on request by Government personnel.

 

After arrival:

  1. Travellers are advised to conduct a daily RAT (rapid antigen test) from the day of arrival (i.e. Day 0) to Day 5.
  • You are required to wear a mask in public spaces, including public transport, unless you are in a country park or are conducting a strenuous physical activity.

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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.
• Regulations for vaccinated international travellers doing domestic travel (for example between Bali and neighbouring islands like Java or Lombok) vary:
1) 1 vaccine dose: provide RT-PCR negative test (3x 24 hours)
2) 2 or 3 vaccine doses: no need to provide proof of any testing
3) If positive, travellers cannot travel and have to quarantine (5 days self-quarantine)

• Proof of health insurance covering Covid-19 treatment is no longer required.
• Travellers from a list of 86 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 travellers must undergo 4N/5D quarantine.
• Foreign nationals from all other countries that do not fall under the 75 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 86 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, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Peru, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Jordan, Maldives, Monaco, Colombia, Albania, Andorra, Chile, Ecuador, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Palestine, San Marino, Suriname, Uzbekistan, and the Vatican.

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  • 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 and can be extended at an immigration office for another 30 days. After that, travellers must depart the country.

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).
  • You will have to verify an e-Hac (Electronic Health Alert Certificate that will generate a unique barcode to show on arrival) code when you travel domestically.
  • 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.
  • Comply with health protocols during stay in Indonesia, including wearing of masks in crowded outdoor spaces (like concerts) and indoor public spaces.
  • PCR test will be conducted on day 4 of the quarantine period.
  • Tourists can travel around Indonesia after quarantine is completed.

The quarantine requirement for non/partially vaccinated travellers may soon be dropped.

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🇯🇵 Japan

  • As from 11 October, Japan will reinstate a visa-waiver programme for certain countries, resume FIT travel, and remove the daily pax limit. The list of 68 countries whose passport holders will have the visa waiver reinstated has been updated. This also means that the ERFS certificate will no longer be required.
 

Travellers will still be required to:

      • Be triple vaccinated and provide a vaccine certificate, OR
      • Have a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure.
      • Minors who are not triple vaccinated (for instance, have not had a booster) may be exempt as long as they are traveling with parents/guardians who are triple vaccinated. Minors traveling unaccompanied OR with parents/guardians who are not triple vaccinated will be required to obtain a negative PCR test result.
 

Japan has strict requirements for the PCR test result format. More information can be found here:

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/border_test.html

We understand that in countries whose tourist visa was required before Covid, the procedure will be back to the before Covid procedure. Details to be confirmed.

  • Japan’s state of emergency ended on October 1, 2021. However, each district has encouraged people to ‘remain careful’. Essentially, mask-wearing and social distancing are advised.

How to apply for a visa:

• Visa is required for all travellers into Japan.  Discova Japan will assist in issuing supporting documents, e.g. itinerary to facilitate the visa application.

• For more information on visa application procedures, entry requirements and quarantine rules, please refer to the Japan Embassy websites in the clients’ respective countries of residence.

 

  • The new guidelines state that people do not need to wear masks outdoors, except when having close conversations. During summer, people are encouraged to remove their masks to prevent heatstroke.
    Indoors, masks aren’t needed as long as people are maintaining a distance of 2 metres from others and there is little to no conversation. Masks are still required when visiting elderly people or anyone in hospital, during rush hour on public transport, and anywhere crowded.
  • Domestic flights are operating as normal.

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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’.  
  • Mask-wearing is mandatory in indooor and outdoor public spaces.
  • 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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🇲🇾 Malaysia

  • As from 1 August, all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, may enter Malaysia without having to complete any Covid forms or tests, or undergo quarantine. Effectively, all Covid entry restrictions for international arrivals have been lifted.
  • 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.

During their stay:

  • From 1 May, wearing of masks is only mandatory in indoor settings, including public transport.

Further easing of restrictions will be updated here.

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🇲🇽 Mexico

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

  • Mask-wearing is no longer mandatory within the destination, but recommended in indoor public spaces. Masks are only required when passing through security on the way out of Cancun Airport.

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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 48 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 12am-4am.
  • Wearing of masks is compulsory in indoor and outdoor public spaces.

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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🇸🇬 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).
  • Non-fully vaccinated long-term pass holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above travelling to Singapore will no longer need to apply for entry permit from August 29. These travellers will still be required to take a pre-departure test within two days before departure for Singapore, but no longer need to undergo quarantine or end-of-isolation testing. Short-term visitors must still provide proof of Covid-19 health insurance.
  • Pre-arrival requirements: fully vaccinated travellers must download TraceTogether app and register a profile. Three 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.
  • In-destination requirements: follow local laws – mask-wearing is optional in outdoor and most indoor settings but still mandatory on public transport and in healthcare facilities like hospitals and nursing homes.

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🇹🇭 Thailand

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As from 1 October, Thai authorities will no longer require entrants to provide proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results. The government will also allow people to attend crowded events without needing to show proof of vaccination. 

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

  • Until 30th June 2022, all travellers, regardless of their mode of entry, have to apply for a Thailand Pass before travel.

  • From 01 July, Thailand Pass is no longer required, but either proof of vaccination or a negative RT-PCR or professional ATK test (taken within 72 hours of travel) is required.

  • Wearing of masks is now voluntary in public spaces. The Ministry of Public Health recommends that people still wear masks in crowded or poorly ventilated places. Private institutions (shops, transport, etc.) have the right to retain mask mandates, and government buildings are likely to retain the mask-wearing rule for now. The skytrain and underground have retained the rule.

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). All travellers will be able to enter the country without quarantine and will be able to travel freely throughout the country regardless of vaccination status. No pre- or on-arrival Covid testing is required.  

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.

  • 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.
 
  • While masks are not mandatory in most places, they may be compulsory in museums and special cultural sites/indoor spaces. Travellers are asked to frequently wear masks and disinfect their hands.
  • Your travellers passports can be scanned and sent to Discova together with detailed itinerary matching their international air tickets. Discova will apply for their visa-on-arrival on your behalf. The application process typically takes a week, but you can alternatively apply for an e-visa as normal.
  • Travellers can leave as soon as they receive negative results (if testing is required).
  • Travellers can either pre-book the airport transfer with Discova or make their own way on arrival.


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