Asia opens its doors: opening dates and entry requirements

* These regulations are accurate at time of publication and serve as a guide only. However, please be aware that general entry requirements can change daily so please consult with your travel advisor or check with official government sources before travelling.

As many popular Asian tourist destinations begin removing restrictions for international travel, this blog will elucidate which countries will open and at what date, including what you’ll need to know before planning your trip!

Vietnam

• Vietnam’s air, land and sea borders have been open to international travellers since 15 March 2022. Foreign tourists arriving in Vietnam are no longer required to book tour packages with designated travel agencies as per the ongoing vaccine passport trial program previously followed.
• All tourists aged from 12 and above are required to provide a certificate stating they have been fully vaccinated with their last dose at least 14 days and no more than 6 months prior to their travel date, or have a certificate of COVID recovery no more than 6 months prior to their travel date. Visitors must also show COVID-19 insurance with min coverage of $10,000.
• Find out further details and the latest updates by clicking here.

Cambodia

• As of Monday 15 November 2021, Cambodia has officially reopened for Tourism. All international gateways are open to travellers.
• Online visa application for Tourist visas has restarted and visa-on-arrival was reintroduced starting from 17 March 2022. No quarantine on arrival for vaccinated Tourists, (2 weeks quarantine still in place for unvaccinated).
• No testing or submission of a test is required before or on arrival into Cambodia, however, unvaccinated travellers must quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated hotel or Alternative State Quarantine hotel.
• Find out further details and the latest updates by clicking here.

Thailand

• Registrations for the Thailand Pass under yet a new and more flexible Exemption from Quarantine programme (TEST&GO) will begin on 1 March 2022.
• Vaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter the Kingdom with the required prepaid accommodation reduced to 1 night and the COVID-19 tests revised to 1 RT-PCR on day 1 and 1 self-ATK on day 5. Visitors are still required to stay in their room at a SHA++ hotel while waiting for the results of the test on day 1.
• Find out further details and the latest updates by clicking here.

Laos

• In Phase 1 of a 3-phase ‘Lao Travel Green Zone Plan’. Fully vaccinated travellers from 30 countries can now enter Vientiane. After a 24 hour quarantine period, they can explore ‘Green Zones’ of Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng.
• Travellers can only enter Laos by booking through an approved tour operator. Once an application has been approved, visas must be applied for from your local embassy. Travellers must also show proof of full vaccination no less than 14 days prior to arrival; a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival and health coverage of minimum $50,000 per person.
• Find out further details and the latest updates by clicking here.

Sri Lanka

• If a traveller or crew member has taken the “recommended doses” of a COVID-19 vaccination and completed 14 days after vaccination is considered as *fully vaccinated*.
• Children between the ages of 12 to 18 years, who have taken at least a single dose of a recognized vaccine for COVID-19 and completed 14 days after vaccination will have the same privileges of a fully vaccinated person.
• All test reports and required documents when entering, including proof of vaccination, shall be in English. Self-swabs of RAT are not acceptable.
• Find out further details and the latest updates by clicking here.

Japan

• From 1 March, foreign nationals, with the exception of tourists, are allowed into Japan if they meet certain criteria and they are under the supervision of a receiving organisation in Japan. This requires an application for a certificate and an approval process.
• All foreign arrivals have to submit a certificate of negative test result conducted within 72 hours prior to departing for Japan, and are subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival.
• Find out further details and the latest updates by clicking here.

Indonesia

• The Indonesian government is reopening the country in different phases, initially started with Jakarta only and then gradually adding additional entry points. Starting from 7 March 2022, Bali has reinstated Visa on Arrival services for international passengers arriving at Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai Airport. All other airports open for international arrivals continue to require a B211a visa to be applied prior to travel.
• The following pre-flight Covid-19 requirements are in effect:
  – Negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test result in English issued max. 48 hours prior to departure for Indonesia.
  – Physical or digital proof of being fully (2x or 3x) vaccinated with the last dose administred no less than 14 days before departure (for 12 yrs+ only).
  – Fully paid accommodation booking with a CHSE-certified hotel for a minimum of 3 consecutive nights upon arrival.
  – Health insurance with minimal Covid-19 coverage of USD 25,000.
  – A return ticket departing Indonesia within the visa validity.
• Find out further details and the latest updates by clicking here.

Malaysia

• Malaysia’s borders will re-open on 1 April 2022, no quarantine for those: a) fully vaccinated + booster: PCR test 02 days before departure; b) fully vaccinated: professional Antigen test within 24 hours after arrival; c) fully vacinnated and infected with COVID-19 within 60 days before departure: Antigen test 02 days before departure. Purchase of COVID-19 & travel insurance is mandatory. Sabah and Sarawak (Borneo) may have different sets of entry requirements.
• Since 15 November 2021, fully vaccinated tourists can visit Langkawi under a travel bubble without quarantine (min. 3 night stay). Visitors must fulfill requirements and follows the SOP – details and list of countries not allowed entry at: https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/mhapp/hq/en/important-notice/malaysia/langkawi.html
• The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL): vaccinated travellers enjoy quarantine-free travel between Malaysia and Singapore remain open. New air VTL with Thailand and Cambodia starts 15 March 2022.
• For the Langkawi Travel Bubble:
  A) Provide negative RT-PCR test 02 days prior to arrival.
  B) Day 1: RT-PCR test at KLIA (or professional RTK-Ag test upon arrival at Langkawi if via direct flight). All costs to be borne by travellers.
  C) Pre-departure to Home Country: Test must be done 48 hrs before departure.
  22 February onwards, those with booster may travel to rest of the county on Day 5 (except EMCO areas).
• Find out further details and the latest updates by clicking here.