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Many countries in Asia are starting to prepare their reopening plans, or have already reopened for tourism.
Asia has had some of the strictest border restrictions and closures since the Covid-19 pandemic began. While Europe has moved forward with reopening borders, countries in Asia are proceeding with a much more cautious approach to inbound travel.
Here is everything you need to know about traveling to each country in Asia and their current reopening plans. Make sure to bookmark this page as we will keep it updated with the most recent news. If you have questions, comment at the bottom and we will do our best to answer you.
Countries in Asia Reopening Their Borders For Tourism
Cambodia
Reopen For Tourism
As of May 20th, 2020 Cambodia, dropped its travel ban.
It will still be very difficult to enter as Cambodia has suspended e-visa and visa-on-arrival programs until further notice – and has also suspended tourist-related services as of June 10.
Update as of Nov 2021: Cambodia is accepting visitors from all nations!
Entry Requirements:
- Negative 72-hour PCR test
- Rapid test upon arrival for vaccinated visitors
- PCR test upon arrival and 14-day quarantine for unvaccinated visitors
- Travel insurance
See the complete guide to Cambodia’s Covid-19 Entry Requirements
China
Partially Reopening Airspace
As of September 3rd, 2020, China will allow travelers from 8 countries to enter the country under strict requirements.
Travelers from Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan, Greece, Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Canada can travel to Beijing but must undergo testing and quarantine.
As of March 2021, only visitors going to China for work and humanitarian reasons will be allowed entry. Business travelers from South Korea and Singapore are also given this privilege. The country is not open for general tourism yet.
Entry Requirements:
- A valid visa
- Proof of vaccination (only Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Sinovac are recognized)
- All travelers must present two negative tests — PCR and antibody tests — taken within 48 hours of travel.
- Quarantine upon arrival. Some regions require 14 days while others require 21.
Indonesia (Bali)
Reopen For Tourism
Indonesia (Bali) is currently open for tourists from 19 nations.
People with business visas are also allowed entry, regardless of what nation they’re from. Some longer-stay travellers have been entering under business visas, albeit with some steep costs and protocols.
Originally, the Governor of Bali announced that the island would officially be reopening its borders for international tourism on September 11th, 2020, but that was retracted. Another rumor suggested December 1, but that also did not happen. It is expected to open its borders to more tourists by early 2022.
Entry Requirements:
- A negative Covid-19 test
- Proof of vaccination
- Health insurance covering COVID-19, with a minimum value of $100,000
- Proof of booking confirmation and payment for accommodation
Countries Allowed: Bahrain, China, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Arab Emirates
Japan
Not yet reopen for general tourism
As of November 2021, Japan has not opened their borders for general tourism. They also have yet to make announcements for when international travelers will be allowed entry.
More announcements are expected to be made by the end of January 2022. The government plans to observe if there will be an uptick in COVID-19 cases after their local holiday season. They will then make their decisions based on that.
Kyrgyzstan
Reopen For Tourism
Kyrgyzstan has officially reopened for tourism on August 21, now allowing select countries to once again visit since shutting its borders to foreigners in March.
As of November 2021, vaccinated visitors from all nations (except Tajikistan) can visit Kyrgyzstan.
Visitors must have a valid visa, a negative 72-hour PCR test, and a vaccination certificate.
Read all of the information on Kyrgyzstan reopening for tourism
Malaysia
Not yet reopen for general tourism
As of November 2021, Malaysia is not accepting tourists. They announced that they will open their borders by January 1, 2022.
For the meantime, Malaysia will begin with a vaccinated travel lane with Singapore on November 29, allowing quarantine-free travel for inoculated people between both countries.
Maldives
Open For Tourism
The Maldives reopened borders for tourism on July 15, 2020
Tourists from all countries will be able to enter the Maldives.
ALL travelers are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test that was taken no more than 96 hours prior to departure. In addition to this, unvaccinated travelers must undergo a 14-day quarantine.
Nepal
Open For Tourism
Travelers arriving in Nepal must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no longer than 72 hours before departure.
Nepal is now making some exceptions for vaccinated travelers. Visa on arrival facilities restarted for eligible passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival. Travelers that can show proof of vaccination will also be able to skip the mandatory 7-day quarantine. However, they will still have to show proof of a 72-hour PCR test for entry.
Philippines
Plans to Reopen Soon For Tourism
As of November 2021, the Philippines Department of Tourism made an announcement that the country is looking to open its borders to fully vaccinated tourists “soon” from green-list countries.
There are currently 44 countries and territories on the Philippines “green list:” American Samoa, Bhutan, Chad, Mainland China Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Paraguay, Rwanda, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Tourists will have to be inoculated with vaccines recognized by the Philippines Food and Drug Administration or authorized by the World Health Organization to enter.
No specific date for reopening has been set yet.
See more information on the Philippines reopening for tourism
Sri Lanka
Open For Tourism
As of mid-2021, ALL travelers can enter Sri Lanka as long as they have a negative PCR test, taken 72 hours before entry. Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 7 days, and they need to take an additional test upon arrival and at the end of quarantine.
You can find the latest information on Sri Lanka reopening her
Singapore
Open For Tourism
Singapore has announced it will reopen its borders for international tourists from select countries starting on September 1st, 2020.
Access to Singapore is currently extremely limited. However, the country has agreements with several countries under different travel schemes, including the reciprocal green lane and air travel pass programs.
As of November 2021, fully-vaccinated tourists from 49 countries can visit Singapore, including the United States and Canada. A negative 48-hour PCR test, health insurance, a health declaration form, a Vaccinated Travel Pass application, and a contact tracing app will be required.
Thailand
Open For Tourism
Thailand is beginning to cautiously reopen for tourism and start a long recovery process for its tourism sector. As of November 2021, visitors from over 60 countries can enter Thailand.
A negative PCR test is required, taken 72 hours before departure, upon arrival, and on day 7.
A one-day quarantine is required while waiting for the results of the PCR tests of vaccinated travelers. A 10-day quarantine is required for unvaccinated travelers, with two more additional PCR tests.
Uzbekistan
Open For Tourism
Uzbekistan officially reopened for tourism on June 15th, 2020.
Uzbekistan is so committed to reviving tourism that it guarantees ‘safe travel’ and will compensate tourists $3,000 if they catch COVID-19
Visitors from other countries will be admitted to Uzbekistan without express testing if a negative PCR test for coronavirus is obtained in laboratories that meet quality standards.
The list of laboratories abroad, the results of which are recognized in Uzbekistan, can be found here.
Arriving tourists will fall into three categories:
The “green” countries – with a stable sanitary and epidemiological situation. People who have been in Japan, China, South Korea, and Israel for the past 14 days will not be subject to quarantines.
The “yellow” countries – people who have been in the European Union, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore for the past 14 days will be subjected to home quarantine for 14 days.
The “red” countries – people arriving from the UAE, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia and other CIS countries will be quarantined in special institutions of Uzbekistan for 14 days.
Vietnam
Partially Reopening Airspace
Vietnam welcomed its first tourists in almost two years on November 2021.
Vietnam has temporarily recognized COVID-19 vaccine passport or certificates from 72 countries including the US, UK, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, Germany, France, and Canada among others to facilitate the entry of foreign arrivals who are fully vaccinated.
They are starting with a three-phase plan at specific locations such as Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and others. The second phase would begin in January 2022 with further locations added to the list with a full reopening expected sometime in June or July 2022.
Only vaccinated travelers will be allowed entry. They must have a negative PCR test taken within 7 hours before boarding the time of departure, a medical insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability at $50,000, and an approved package tour program of a travel agency.
This article will be updated as countries reopen in Asia so be sure to bookmark this page and check back often!
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Disclaimer: Asia’s reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.
Originally published July 28, with updates
Ashwin
Friday 8th of January 2021
Any new updates?
[email protected]
Tuesday 15th of December 2020
Any update of japan business visa for Pakistan
Marco
Tuesday 15th of December 2020
Hi I would like ot know if there are news about Malaysia yet. Regards, Marco
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 15th of December 2020
here is all the latest news on Malaysia: (Click HERE to read)
carlo
Thursday 10th of December 2020
Hello Kashlee. Do you have any news about reopening in Malaysia ? Thank you
Tim
Tuesday 1st of December 2020
What are expectations for the reopening of maleisia, singapore and indonesia