Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get our top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Header image courtesy of Evan Krause (via Unsplash)
As nations around the world move towards coexisting with the Covid-19 virus, a number of countries are welcoming back travellers with open (and jabbed) arms. Scratch that travel itch with our top destinations that do not require proof of testing performed before or upon departure, nor mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
Places on this list are applicable to visitors leaving from Hong Kong who are fully vaccinated unless specified, with not-fully-vaccinated passengers having to face additional prerequisites. Visas and other travel documentation specifications will still vary between destinations, so please be aware of the differences in travel conditions, too.
In light of generally lowered Covid-19 cases this year, India has scrapped testing protocol for inbound international travellers, with regular flights resuming earlier this year. Visiting this vibrant nation of rich heritage and beautiful sights would only require submitting a certificate that shows a completed vaccination record into the Air Suvidha portal.
Kickstart the summer holidays with a tropical getaway to Bali, where icy drinks and sun-drenched beaches await. All that stands between a vaccinated traveller and the paradise of Indonesia is proof of vaccination in the form of a digital or physical certificate. It is also mandatory for all visitors to download the Peduli Lindungi app to facilitate contact tracing.
Visitors from Hong Kong will be delighted to learn that the Maldives is now open to all foreigners regardless of their vaccination status. Where the horizon of the seas meets glassy blue skies, this collection of islands is an oasis of endless natural scenes. Although there is no need to present any form of test results upon entry, tourists must complete a traveller declaration form within 72 hours of arrival or departure.
When it comes to off-the-beaten-path adventures, Mongolia definitely comes out on top for its strong nomadic culture and bountiful landscapes. Reflecting the drifter spirit, explorers to Mongolia are not required to be fully vaccinated to cross the border, perform Covid tests before or on arrival, nor serve out a quarantine before or upon entering.
Although a trip to Thailand no longer requires mandatory tests upon arrival or during your stay within the country, inbound international travellers are required to register online on the official Thailand Pass system and have mandatory medical insurance of at least US$10,000. Unvaccinated travellers are not required to take a test before arrival, but are urged to do so anyway should they like to bypass public health inspection at the airport.
Other locations that vaccinated travellers may freely visit include Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan. Visitors who are not fully vaccinated yet can consider these countries within Asia, namely Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Kazhakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Vietnam. However, additional tests may apply.
Regardless of your vaccination situation, the Czech Republic is a viable destination, as proof of testing is not necessary for entry, nor is a certificate of fully completed vaccination. Explore the picturesque beauty that this popular European locale has to offer with ease.
One of the recent additions to the restriction-free travel line-up, Germany has lifted requirements for proof of testing, vaccination, or recovery for entry. Depending on the spread of the Covid-19 virus, German authorities may decide to list out at-risk countries with higher levels of infection, whereby entry regulations will take place.
A highly photogenic destination well-loved for its gorgeous weather and upbeat vibes, the ever-popular Greece is thankfully one of the locations now open to foreigners for inbound travel. No tests are needed for entry, but should a visitor contract Covid-19 during their stay in the country, then a mandatory quarantine period of five days is enacted.
If you are heading out from Hong Kong without being fully vaccinated, there is no need to show any test results for entry into Italy. Although it is not mandatory to submit a certificate of vaccination, failure to do so will lead to five days of compulsory isolation after landing.
While fully vaccinated trekkers from Hong Kong will not have to conduct any tests before heading to Spain, unvaccinated individuals will have to show proof of a negative result before successfully entering the country. Proof of vaccination must be in Spanish, English, French, or German to be accepted. Additional specifications regarding the validity of the vaccination records are still in place and can be found on the official portal for Spanish travel.
Jetsetters who are fully vaccinated are also able to also head over to Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Kosovo, Malta, and Ukraine. Not-yet-fully-jabbed travellers from Hong Kong will be able to visit Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Finland, Gibraltar, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, as well as the United Kingdom.
An expansive nation that offers everything from bustling metropolises to stunning wildlife and landscapes, the reopening of Australia is news that brings mass excitement to adventurers worldwide. All inbound visitors who are fully vaccinated can enter Australia upon presenting viable proof of vaccination, but they will need to show negative Covid test results if their heading to Australia is to pass through as a transit point.
A dazzling destination synonymous with white sand beaches and aquamarine blue waters, Fiji now welcomes fully vaccinated visitors without having to check for tests. Unvaccinated entrants are still able to visit, but only if they show a negative result through NAAT or RAT tests that were taken within two days or 24 hours, respectively, before departure to Fiji.
Although its neighbour, the United States, still draws a line that makes it necessary for travellers to get tested before entering the country, Canada has gone with a more flexible approach that waives restrictions for fully vaccinated folks. Steps to entry into Canada include registering and uploading vaccination proof through the official online system.
Charming Cuba is an incredible destination to visit. Boasting a sky-high inoculation rate of 94.3 percent, the country has allowed for all foreigners to enter regardless of vaccination status. Although there is no need to test or show proof of vaccination, inbound visitors must fill in necessary information via the online health declaration form.
Aside from the above, vaccinated travellers from Hong Kong can visit Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Saint Barthélem, Saint Lucia, St Maarten, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Visitors who are not yet fully vaccinated can opt to go to Aruba, Costa Rica, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Greenland, Grenada, and El Salvador.
An eclectic and lively destination stretched across South America, Argentina is a destination that now welcomes fully vaccinated international travellers without test results. Aside from filling in the travel declaration form and downloading the official contact tracing app, foreign travellers must also show proof that their travel insurance covers Covid-19.
Interested in travelling to Brazil? Incoming visitors are not required to present a negative test result if they are able to show an approved certification of vaccination. So long as the vaccination doses have been completed and the jab administered is from a WHO-approved vaccine, the certification should be accepted to allow for entry.
Alternate destinations in the area that are open to travellers include Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Upon approved submission of a completed health form alongside proof of vaccination, travellers can enter into Morocco. Unvaccinated visitors may also enter, but are required to present negative test results taken via PCR test within 72 hours before departure.
South Africa’s diverse beauty pegs it as one of the top destinations to explore. Visitors to the country are not required to show proof of testing if they are fully vaccinated, but unvaccinated guests must show results from a PCR or antigen test prior to departure.
Fully vaccinated visitors can also choose to travel to Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Réunion, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Gabon is the only country accepting inbound travellers who are not fully vaccinated.
For the latest restrictions and entry requirements, please check the relevant travel or health authorities of the country you are travelling to in order to get the most accurate information and plan ahead. If you develop Covid-19 while on your trip or have contagious symptoms that you strongly suspect may lead to the virus, please contact your travel insurance company and adhere to the specific local health and safety requirements.
Always down for an adventure, Alisa’s general approach to life (and anything, really) is to “just go with the flow.” She believes that the most unforgettable moments are the most spontaneous ones. One thing she will always be certain of, however, is her love for the band My Chemical Romance and potato-based food.
Top
