Popular Travel Destinations Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Entry

Places Where Vaccination Is Your Entry Pass
Every COVID-19 vaccinated individual has his or her own set of reasons for getting the jab. You or someone you love may be immunocompromised, or maybe you just dread the idea of getting profoundly sick for an extended period. But, after 19 months of staying close to home, it’s likely that being able to travel safely again is also on the list of motivators for many Americans.

Now that international travel is opening up again, slowly but surely, vaccination not only provides peace of mind for your own personal health reasons but also increasingly enables you to enter foreign countries that you otherwise couldn’t. Note that it’s often the case that travelers can alternatively provide documented proof of recent recovery from the virus as evidence of immunity, in place of proof of vaccination.

Here are some of the world’s popular destinations that are granting entry to American visitors only if they’re vaccinated.

Anguilla
As of July 1, the only U.S. travelers permitted to visit Anguilla are those who provide proof that they received their final dose of a vaccine protocol at least three weeks prior to arriving in the Eastern Caribbean country.

You’ll also need to apply for entry and upload a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 to 120 hours (three to five days) prior to travel.

A post-arrival test is also required on Day Four of your visit and you must quarantine at your hotel, resort of licensed villa rental until you receive negative results.

Belgium
Only fully immunized American travelers who produce proof of vaccination can visit Belgium’s storied and picturesque cities, such as Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. You must also complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) within six months of your departure.

Canada
Since August 9, fully vaccinated American travelers have once again been allowed to enter Canada for nonessential purposes. Visitors will need to submit their proof of vaccination electronically through the ArriveCAN app. They’ll also need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test performed no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Passengers are chosen at random for another test upon arrival at the airport. Be forewarned that anyone attempting to falsify vaccination records face a fine of up to $750,000 and potential jail time.

Chile
Chile is open to fully vaccinated foreigners under the added provision that they present proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight (children under the age of two are exempt).

All visitors over the age of two must also take a mandatory PCR test upon arrival in Chile, and quarantine at a hotel or private residence pending the arrival of negative results.

Prior to traveling to Chile, would-be visitors will need to upload their vaccination documentation to obtain a Mobility Pass (Pase de Movibilidad) as certification that they’ve completed a full COVID-19 vaccine series. Travelers vaccinated outside of Chile can apply for a Mobility Pass here, but should be sure to note that it takes a minimum of four weeks to process their application.

Additionally, they’ll need to fill out the ‘Affidavit for Travelers’ form online up to 48 hours before departure and purchase travel health insurance with a coverage minimum of $30,000, which specifically covers any medical costs related to COVID-19.

Travelers must also complete a compulsory health survey sent by the Ministry of Health each day for 10 days following their arrival.

Denmark
Only fully vaccinated and previously recovered foreign travelers are presently permitted to enter Denmark. To be considered fully vaccinated, they’ll need to have received their final dose of an approved vaccine protocol at least 14 days, prior to travel. However, no more than 270 days (nine months) may have elapsed since completion of the primary vaccine series or the person will need to provide proof of a booster injection.

Previously infected persons must be able to provide documentation of a positive PCR test result from a test taken at least 11 days, but no more than 180 days (six months), prior to the date of entry.

Children who haven’t been vaccinated will need to supply proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Unvaccinated foreigners seeking to enter Demark must qualify as having a “worthy purpose”.

Estonia
Estonia only grants entry to fully vaccinated tourists and stipulates that no more than 12 months can have elapsed since an individual’s inoculation series was completed. Unvaccinated travelers may be accepted for the purposes of work, study, family reasons or with the issue of a special permit. Quarantine and testing requirements for unvaccinated visitors are reassessed weekly and posted here.

Finland
Finland is welcoming fully vaccinated travelers from all countries, including the United States. In order for anyone (born in 2006 or before) to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveler, s/he must have either:

— received the final dose of a primary COVID-19 vaccine series at least seven days prior to arrival, or

— have a certificate of recovery with proof of a single dose of a vaccine, or

— have an E.U. COVID certificate showing COVID-19 recovery within the past six months.

Unvaccinated travelers can only enter the country for essential purposes if they are given authorization. by the Finnish Border Guard.

France
The United States currently falls into France’s ‘orange’ category. Fully vaccinated travelers are welcomed without any testing or quarantine necessary. CDC-issued paper vaccination cards serve as sufficient proof of immunization. Those who aren’t fully vaccinated would need to fall into one of some select categories of travelers and must provide a compelling reason for entry into France to receive an exemption.

Grenada
All foreign travelers to Grenada ages 12 and over must be fully vaccinated, and will need to supply their original vaccination cards or certificates as proof upon arrival.

All visitors over the age of five must also provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel or a negative antigen taken within one day of arrival in Grenada.

Travelers previously infected with COVID-19 can also travel to the island with evidence of a positive viral test no more than 90 days old, a letter from a licensed healthcare provider stating that they’re cleared to travel and a negative antigen test taken no more than one day prior to their arrival.

Everyone entering the country must also have a Travel Health Declaration Certificate, which grants the approved applicant authorization to travel to Grenada.

Germany
U.S. travelers to Germany must either be fully vaccinated or provide proof of prior recovery from the virus, or demonstrate an important reason to enter the country with special authorization.

As of December 23, 2021, every visitor over the age of six must now carry proof of their vaccination status when entering Germany. Those who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson inoculation must get a second dose with one of the vaccines listed here. Proof of prior recovery is now valid for 90 days, rather than six months.

Proof of vaccination can be either electronic or an original paper document, but a photo of a paper vaccination document will not be accepted.

Even vaccinated visitors are required to present a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours of entry into Germany or, alternatively, an antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before entry.

You’ll also need to fill out a registration form upon arrival, and provide your confirmation to the air carrier and/or border control agents.

If you’re unvaccinated, you’ll need to demonstrate an important need to travel and receive special approval to visit Germany at this time.

Latvia
Travelers from the U.S. are permitted to enter Latvia only if they’re fully vaccinated or have previously recovered from COVID-19 (children under 12 exempted). They’ll need to present either their original paper CDC vaccination card or an electronic certificate, or a valid certificate of recovery.

Unvaccinated Americans can only enter this Baltic country if they can prove they have an essential purpose for traveling to Latvia, receive government approval, supply a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival, take another test within 24 hours following their arrival and self-isolate for 10 days.

As there are no direct flights between the U.S. and Latvia, travelers must also research the requirements of the countries they may be transiting through.

Malta
Since July 2021, only fully vaccinated foreign visitors have been welcomed in the Mediterranean archipelagic destination of Malta. The government requires CDC vaccination cards to be verified through the VeriFLY app to be considered a valid vaccination certificate.

Any international passengers who arrive without a valid vaccination certificate will be subject to a mandatory PCR test and 14-day quarantine in a government-selected hotel at their own expense.

According to the Ministry of Health website, Children aged between the ages of five and 11 can travel by providing either a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Malta. Children under the age of five are ineligible for vaccination and are also exempt from testing requirements.

All foreign visitors must also complete a Passenger Locator Form, which will issue travelers a QR code and confirmation email upon approval.

The Netherlands
The Netherlands currently considers the U.S. to be a high-risk area, which means that American travelers aged 12 or over must be fully vaccinated to bypass a ban on non-essential foreign visitors.

Since U.S. travelers are coming from outside the European Union/Schengen area, they’re also required to provide a negative COVID-19 test, even with proof of vaccination or recovery. PCR tests will be accepted only if taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure for the Netherlands, while antigen tests must be taken no more than 24 hours prior to departure.

All third-country travelers ages 12 and over who are arriving by air must also complete a health declaration form before boarding their flight.

St. Kitts and Nevis
Only fully COVID-19 vaccinated American travelers can visit the twin Leeward islands of St. Kitts & Nevis. Children under the age of 18 who are traveling with fully vaccinated parents are also permitted to enter. The dual-island Federation accepts all three of the vaccine types used in the U.S. (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson), and allows for a mix of the two-dose regimens.

All travelers must also provide a negative PCR test performed at an accredited lab within 72 hours of travel in order to enter the country. Regardless of age, all passengers must complete an embarkation form, where they’ll need to upload vaccination proof, test results and other supporting documentation no later than 24 hours prior to their flight.

International travelers now have the option of booking any hotel properties on the islands. Unvaccinated children between the ages of 12 and 17 who are traveling with fully vaccinated parents must take a PCR Test within 24 hours of arrival, and they must quarantine with their adult guardians until negative results are returned.

Saudi Arabia
Only fully vaccinated foreign nationals are permitted to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all air passengers are required to provide a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure (children under the age of eight are exempt).

Travelers must register their vaccine status via an Immunization Registration web portal in advance.

The Middle Eastern nation has upgraded ‘Tawakkalna’—its contact-tracing app—to allow temporary visitors to register with their passport details. Essentially all indoor establishments and public buildings are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination via the Tawakkalna for access.

Children under 12 years old that are accompanied by adult family members who are fully vaccinated with the approved vaccines are not required to quarantine.

Foreign visitors are also required to purchase a travel insurance policy to cover risks associated with COVID-19 during their stay. The coverage minimum is set at SR650,000 (about US$173,239).

*Update: As of February 1, a booster shot is required in order for a person to be considered fully vaccinated if their final dose of a primary vaccine series was administered more than eight months prior.

Singapore
The East Asian city-state of Singapore has established a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) program with the U.S., which took effect October 19. All adult American travelers must be fully vaccinated, while unvaccinated children aged 12 and under can travel via the VTL if accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.

There’s no quarantine, but travelers must provide a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of their departure for Singapore and take another PCR test upon arrival, then remain in self-isolation pending the results.

Short-term visitors, such as tourists, must also have purchased medical travel insurance that covers any COVID-related costs that might arise, with a coverage minimum of SGD$30,000 (US$22,268).

Visitors over the age of 12 need to submit a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) application anywhere from seven to 30 days ahead of their intended date of entry into Singapore.

Tourists are also required to download and register on the TraceTogether app for contact-tracing purposes.

Spain
American tourists are permitted to visit Spain as long as they can supply proof of vaccination. If more than 270 days (nine months) have passed since receiving the final dose of their primary COVID-19 vaccine series, U.S. citizens must show proof of having received a booster shot.

Some unvaccinated Americans may be allowed to enter Spain for essential purposes (e.g., for work, studies or imperative family reasons) with a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival or an antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival.

All passengers must also complete a Health Control Form prior to their departure for Spain to obtain a QR code, which must be presented upon boarding their flight and at health control checkpoints upon arrival.

Switzerland
Switzerland is only granting entry to fully vaccinated U.S. adults, and children under the age of 18 who are traveling with fully vaccinated adults. Switzerland considers vaccinations valid for 270 days (nine months) from the date the series is completed. Tourists who can prove that they’ve recovered from the virus within the previous six months are also permitted.

Note that your passport must also be valid for three months beyond your date of departure from the Schengen zone. Once you’ve arrived in the destination, a COVID certificate is currently required in order to enter most indoor public establishments, as well as large-scale events with over 1,000 people.

You can use the Travelcheck tool to determine which measures will specifically apply to you based on your situation.

Tahiti
Fully vaccinated foreign travelers can visit French Polynesia and the Islands of Tahiti without quarantining, provided they can present a negative COVID-19 test. In order to board their flight, all international travelers ages 12 and older must present the airline with a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure.

Foreign travelers must also submit an application on the ETIS platform between 30 and six days prior to travel and bring a printed copy of their Sworn Statement. Unvaccinated non-nationals must provide a compelling reason for wanting to travel to Tahiti, and must test negative before boarding their flight, again upon arrival, and then on days two and five, as well as complete a seven-day quarantine.

In Tahiti specifically, unvaccinated children (under 18) who are traveling with a vaccinated parent or legal guardian may enter, but must test upon arrival, then take self-tests on days two and five, and complete a seven-day quarantine.

*Update: Travelers over the age of 18 years are considered fully vaccinated for nine months following the completion of their primary COVID-19 vaccine series. After that, they will need to have received a booster shot to maintain their status as “fully vaccinated”.

Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos require all foreign tourists ages 18 and over to be fully vaccinated. There’s no quarantine requirement, but all travelers ages two and older must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of travel to the islands.

Visitors must also have proof that they’ve purchased travel health insurance that covers the cost of any COVID-related treatment, up to and including full hospitalization, air ambulance and quarantine accommodations.

You’ll also need to obtain a travel pre-authorization through the TCI Assured Portal prior to boarding your flight for the islands. The good news is that U.S. travelers don’t have to obtain a visa to visit Turks and Caicos, once you’ve fulfilled all of the entry requirements, you’re issued permission to stay up to 90 days.

Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago is only granting entry to fully vaccinated foreign travelers at this time. Prospective visitors need to be considered fully vaccinated by the time they apply for their TT Travel Pass, which they can begin filling out 72 hours prior to their arrival on the islands.

All passengers must also submit proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival in Trinidad and Tobago.

Unvaccinated minors traveling with a fully vaccinated adult are subject to the same protocols as vaccinated adults, but they’ll also need to take a PCR test between the third and fifth day of their visit at either a private or public testing facility.