Asia Travel Requirements: A Country by Country Guide

Slowly but Surely, Asia Is Reopening…
We must admit: we miss Asia. From Japan’s green tea fields to Vietnam’s shrines and India’s bustling markets, Asia is a diverse and beautiful region of the world. It’s also the region with the most travel restrictions due to the pandemic. While some destinations in Asia have reopened to quarantine-free travel for vaccinated travelers, like Thailand and South Korea, others, such as Japan and China, are still closed to most international travelers.

But it’s not all bad news! Some countries are expected to reopen, at least partially, later this summer or this year. Click through this slideshow for a quick update on the current entry requirements and restrictions throughout Asia. For more detailed information, check out our interactive map of current entry requirements, or visit the U.S. Department of State’s country-by-country list of travel advisories and information.

Bangladesh
Currently, only international travelers who are of Bangladeshi descent, related to a Bangladeshi citizen or traveling for essential purposes can enter Bangladesh. They are required to fill out the Passenger Health Declaration Form and provide either proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test. The U.S. State Department classifies Bangladesh as a Level 2 risk due to increased risk in crime, kidnapping and terrorism in the Chittagong Hill Tracts area in the southeastern part of the country.

Bhutan
Travelers to Bhutan are required to apply for a visa through their travel advisor or through the online visa registration portal. They’re only allowed to stay in the kingdom through a certified tour operator. The U.S. State Department does not publish COVID-19 information for Bhutan but currently rates it as a Level 1 risk level.

Brunei
Travelers can enter Brunei Darussalam provided they are fully vaccinated (booster shots necessary after three months of completion of a two-dose regimen) along with a recent negative RT-PCR or ART test. Once in Brunei, travelers are required to take an ART test each day for the first three days of their trip. All travelers must also purchase travel insurance covering COVID-19 with a minimum of BND $50,000 in coverage. Travelers aged 12-17 must also be fully vaccinated to enter. Unvaccinated travelers must have a medical exemption and are required to test and self-isolate upon arrival. There is also currently an indoor mask mandate throughout the country. The country is considered a Level 1 risk.

Cambodia
Travelers can enter Cambodia provided they are fully vaccinated; unvaccinated travelers are required to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival. Travelers are also highly encouraged to purchase travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage. Visas are also likely to be required for traveling to Cambodia. The country is currently listed as a Level 1 risk by the U.S. Department of State.

China
Travelers over two years of age heading to mainland China are subject to the strictest pandemic-related entry requirements in the world. Entry requirements change depending on vaccination status and even what type of vaccine they have. The U.S. State Department classified China as a Level 3 risk due to its “arbitrary enforcement of local laws and COVID-19-related restrictions. Do not travel to the PRC’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Jilin province and Shanghai municipality due to COVID-19-related restrictions, including the risk of parents and children being separated. Reconsider travel to the PRC’s Hong Kong SAR due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

Hong Kong & Macau
Travelers will also find it difficult getting to Hong Kong and Macau, both of which are under China’s jurisdiction. Travelers entering Hong Kong are required to be fully vaccinated and must self-isolate at a designated quarantine hotel for seven days upon arrival. They must also test negative prior to entering Hong Kong. Testing upon arrival at the airport is also required. Currently, Hong Kong is designated as a Level 4 risk due to the same issues that mainland China has. Travelers to Macau must have spent the last 21 days in mainland China and have a valid visa in order to enter Macau, or they must apply for an exemption stating their entry into Macau would be in the region’s best interest. Macau is designated a Level 3 risk due to COVID-19 restrictions.

India
Travelers can enter India using a tourist or e-tourist visa. All travelers five and older must upload a recent negative RT-PCR test or vaccine certificate showing full vaccination on the Air Suvidha portal. Travelers should also submit a self-declaration form. Face masks are currently required in all public areas, including outdoors. The U.S. State Department currently classifies India as a Level 2 risk, due to a risk of crime and terrorism in certain regions.

Indonesia
Travelers entering Indonesia can do so provided they use the PeduliLindungi application and apply for a visa for their stay. All travelers are required to provide an RT-PCR test prior to arrival. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers are required to quarantine for five days upon arrival. All travelers are also required to have purchased a travel insurance policy that covers pandemic-related expenses with a minimum of USD$25,000, as well as proof of paid accommodation. Indonesia is currently considered a Level 2 risk due to civil unrest in Papua and Central Sulawesi, as well as natural disasters.

Japan
Travel for tourism and visa-free travel is not available for Japan; entry is very limited due to the country’s COVID-19 pandemic measures. That being said, Japan announced that it would begin welcoming a select few tour operators and triple-vaccinated travelers to enter the country as a test later this May, signaling a reopening could be coming sometime later this year. Japan is classified as a Level 3 risk due to its entry restrictions.

Kyrgyzstan
Travelers can enter Kyrgyzstan, officially known as the Kyrgyz Republic, via airplane. Travelers need not satisfy any COVID-19 testing requirements, but the Department of State recommends bringing along their vaccine certificates and a recent negative PCR test, just in case entry requirements change. Travelers may need to satisfy a transit country’s entry requirements on their way into the country. The Kyrgyz Republic is considered a Level 1 risk.

Laos
Laos is not officially open for tourists, but travelers can visit Laos on essential business or with a visa provided they fill out the country’s travel form to obtain a QR code at laogreenpass.gov.la, provide proof of full vaccination and have had a recent negative PCR test. Laos is considered by the State Department to be a Level 3 country, due to civil unrest, crime in Burma and COVID-19 restrictions.

Malaysia
Fully vaccinated travelers aged 12 or older can enter Malaysia without COVID-19 testing requirements. They only have to upload their vaccine information to the MySafeTravel web portal. Unvaccinated travelers are required to test prior to entering, upon entering and quarantine for five days upon arrival in Malaysia. Malaysia is categorized as a Level 1 risk level, with a Level 2 risk in the Sabah State due to an increased risk of kidnapping for ransom.

Maldives
All travelers over the age of one year must present a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter the Maldives. They’re also required to fill out the country’s Traveler Health Declaration form within 48 hours prior to arriving in the country. When checking out of any guesthouse, the travelers are also required to test negative. Those who test positive will be removed from the traveler’s group and quarantined at the positive traveler’s expense. The Maldives provides a 30-day traveler visa for all successful arrivals. The country is currently classified as a Level 2 risk due to an increased risk of terrorism.

Mongolia
Travelers can enter Mongolia, provided they fill out the country’s medical declaration form upon arrival at the airport or border checkpoints; otherwise, they are not required to satisfy any pandemic-related protocols. Travelers can stay in Mongolia visa-free for up to 30 days, but travelers staying for longer need to register with Mongolian immigration authorities within seven days of arrival of the long trip. Mongolia is classified as a Level 1 risk level.

Myanmar (Burma)
As of March 19, 2020, travelers cannot enter Myanmar (also known as Burma) through land borders following the country’s military takeover. Travelers can still enter the country via commercial flights, though the U.S. Department of State classifies the country as a Level 4 risk and strongly encourages Americans to avoid traveling to the country due to the hostile takeover, civil unrest and COVID-19-related restrictions.

Nepal
Travelers can enter Nepal provided they show proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test. Travelers are also required to fill out the CCMC form. Mask-wearing is still mandatory in many public spaces, so be sure to check the current guidelines so you can adhere to these rules. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination may be necessary to enter public places as well. Nepal is currently listed by the State Department as a Level 2 risk due to “the potential for isolated political violence.”

Pakistan
Vaccinated travelers can enter Pakistan without a PCR test, though all unvaccinated travelers over 12 must provide a recent negative PCR test to enter. All travelers should download the PassTrack app or complete the form online to receive a printed copy to show upon boarding, both of which require travelers to provide their contact information prior to arrival. Health screenings such as temperature checks may be necessary upon arrival at the airport. Pakistan is currently classified as a Level 3 risk due to terrorism and sectarian violence.

Philippines
Travelers can enter the Philippines provided they are fully vaccinated and test negative prior to arrival. Travelers are required to self-monitor for symptoms seven days after arrival and report any symptoms to local authorities. All travelers must also complete the BOQ e-Health Declaration Card up to three days prior to arrival. Travel insurance that covers COVID-19 and has a minimum policy coverage of USD$35,000 is also required. The Philippines is currently under a mandatory mask mandate in public spaces and is categorized as a Level 2 risk due to safety concerns in the Sulu Archipelago and Mindanao.

Singapore
Fully vaccinated travelers can enter Singapore without taking a COVID-19 test prior to entry. Children 12 and under are also not required to test prior to arrival. Travelers who aren’t fully vaccinated and are over 13 years old must obtain approval to enter Singapore, test negative prior to arrival and quarantine upon arrival. Singapore is under the Level 1 risk category.

South Korea
Travelers to South Korea are required to upload their vaccination status prior to entering the country to avoid a mandatory quarantine. They must also take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. Travelers who test positive for COVID-19 during their stay will be moved to a quarantine facility. While the country has loosened its outdoor mask mandate, masks are still required indoors. South Korea is classified as a Level 1 risk level.

Sri Lanka
Travelers to Sri Lanka do not need to test upon arrival as they once did, though unvaccinated travelers may be required to test negative prior to arrival. Travelers must purchase the country’s COVID-19 travel insurance and can apply for a visa online if necessary. Pandemic-related measures such as showing proof of vaccination in order to enter businesses may also be necessary in certain areas. The U.S. State Department classifies Sri Lanka as a Level 3 risk due to fuel and medicine shortages and encourages travelers to the country to exercise increased caution due to terrorism.

Taiwan
Currently, only travelers on essential business only are allowed to enter Taiwan due to pandemic-related restrictions, as long as they have a special entry permit. They are required to quarantine for seven days upon arrival and purchase a local SIM card to use for location tracking during their quarantine period. The State Department classifies Taiwan as a Level 3 risk level due to COVID-19-related restrictions.

Tajikistan
Travelers three years and up are required to provide proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter Tajikistan. The State Department does admit that the country frequently changes its entry requirements with little notice to travelers, so it’s best to research thoroughly prior to arrival and during a stay in Tajikistan. The country is classified as a Level 2 risk due to a risk in terrorism and its close proximity to Afghanistan.

Thailand
Fully vaccinated travelers can enter Thailand quarantine-free provided they register with Thailand Pass and include their vaccine card and passport information and proof of insurance with medical coverage of at least USD$10,000. Unvaccinated travelers must do the same, but must also either test negative prior to arrival or quarantine for four to five days upon arrival. Thailand is classified as a Level 1 risk, though the State Department advises increased caution in the country’s provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla due to civil unrest.

Timor-Leste
Travelers entering Timor-Leste can do so provided they are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated travelers will find it difficult to enter, as they are required to undergo a ten-day quarantine period upon arrival. While the country itself doesn’t require any COVID-19 tests for entry, some airlines or transit points may, so research your flight plan fully prior to traveling. Timor-Leste is classified as a Level 2 risk due to crime and civil unrest, including gender-based violence.

Turkmenistan
All international commercial flights operating to and from Turkmenistan have been canceled, and its land borders are closed, despite the country’s refusal to acknowledge any positive cases of COVID-19 within its borders. That being said, travelers who do end up in Turkmenistan will be required to test negative prior to arrival and take a serology test. Post-arrival tests upon entry are also required. Quarantines may also be mandatory for travelers. Turkmenistan is classified as a Level 3 risk due to COVID-19 restrictions and the U.S. embassy in Ashgabat’s “limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.”

Uzbekistan
Travelers can enter Uzbekistan provided they are fully vaccinated or have tested negative prior to arrival. Travelers entering via land borders may need to take another COVID-19 test upon entry, while all travelers must complete a health screening form upon arrival and are subject to temperature checks. Uzbekistan is classified as a Level 1 risk level.

Vietnam
Travelers can now enter Vietnam without any COVID-19 testing requirements. While Vietnam specifically doesn’t require you to test, an airline or transit country might, so do your research prior to departure. Vietnam’s official tourism website posts current information on entry requirements: so far, only a traveler visa and proof of travel insurance covering COVID-19 treatment for a minimum of USD$10,000 are required for entry, along with downloading the PC-Covid mobile app. Travelers are also encouraged to monitor themselves for symptoms during the first ten days after arrival. Vietnam is classified as a Level 1 risk country.