On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization named the new B.1.1.529 variant Omicron. In response to this new variant, several countries have reintroduced travel restrictions and entry requirements. See the list below for up-to-date information on the latest travel restrictions, which will be updated as more country information is announced. Before traveling, contact Corporate Immigration Partners, Envoy Global, or a trusted representative for the most current information

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Overview

Effective December 1, 2021, the government of Andorra will require all travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe to complete a mandatory ten-day quarantine upon arrival and submit a negative COVID-19 test a maximum of 72 hours before arrival. After arrival, travelers who submit a negative PCR or TMA test after seven days can end the quarantine period early.

Looking Ahead

The government of Andorra has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on travelers arriving from the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective November 29, 2021, the government of Australia has paused the next phase of reopening the country until December 15, 2021, and introduced additional travel measures. This pause will apply to international skilled and student cohorts, humanitarian workers, working holidaymakers, provisional family visa holders, and Japan and South Korea travelers.

All travelers arriving in Australia must have a negative PCR test and complete an Australian traveler declaration form detailing their vaccination status and confirming requirements to comply with state and territory public health requirements.

Anyone who has been in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, or Mozambique in the last 14 days who is not a fully vaccinated Australian citizen, permanent resident, or immediate family member will not be permitted to enter Australia. Fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents, and immediate family members arriving from any of the above countries will be required to enter a supervised quarantine for 14 days, subject to jurisdictional arrangements. Travelers who have already arrived in Australia and have been in any of the countries mentioned earlier within the past 14 days must immediately isolate themselves, get tested for COVID-19, and adhere to jurisdiction quarantine requirements.

Looking Ahead

These new measures will remain in place until at least December 15, 2021.

Overview

Effective November 27, 2021, the government of Austria announced a COVID-related travel warning, placing the countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa at a security level 6. As a result, entry into Austria from these countries is restricted unless the travel is for business purposes. The traveler is an Austrian permanent resident citizen, EU or EEA permanent resident or citizen, or Swiss citizen. For a complete list of exempt travelers from the above restrictions, click here. Under this security level, travelers returning to Austria from any of the countries as mentioned above will be required to:

• Register return travel before departing for Austria
• Present a negative PCR test upon arrival
• Enter a ten-day quarantine
• Take a PCR test on day five of the quarantine

Looking Ahead

The government of Austria has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries mentioned above. The government of Austria has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective January 21, 2022, the government of Brazil removed travel restrictions for foreign nationals who have traveled through the countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

All travelers arriving from these countries must fill out the Traveler’s Health Declaration Form and will be required to present a negative antigen test issued no more than 24 hours before departure or a negative RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.

Looking Ahead

The government of Brazil has removed all travel restrictions prohibiting foreign nationals from the South African region from entering the country. Entrance requirements, including testing and quarantine measures, will remain in place.

Overview

Effective January 1, 2022, the government of Brunei will not permit travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe to enter the country. Brunei’s citizens and permanent residents will not be permitted to travel to any countries mentioned above.

Looking Ahead

The government of Brunei has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries mentioned above.

Overview

The government of Bulgaria will no longer allow travelers arriving from Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, or Zimbabwe to enter the country starting November 28, 2021. Bulgarian citizens and persons with the status of permanent, long-term, or continuous residence in Bulgaria will still be permitted to enter Bulgaria but must undergo additional entrance requirements. These travelers will be required to:

• Provide evidence of a negative PCR COVID-19 test performed within 72 hours before departure
• Provide proof of an EU Digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a recovery certificate

Bulgarian citizens and other eligible long-term residents of the country who cannot provide proof of vaccination or evidence of recovery will be required to undergo a ten-day quarantine period at a residential location.

Looking Ahead

The government of Bulgaria has yet to announce the duration of these travel restrictions.

Overview

Effective December 18, 2021, the government of Canada will lift travel restrictions for travelers arriving from or who have transited through the countries of Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in the last 14 days. These travelers will no longer be required to obtain a valid negative pre-departure molecular test in the third country or stay at a designated quarantine facility upon arrival.

Looking Ahead

Due to evolving information on the omicron variant, the government of Canada has lifted restrictions on travelers arriving from countries with documented cases of the variant.

Overview

Effective November 26, 2021, the government of the Cayman Islands introduced additional entry requirements for travelers who have resided in or transited through the countries of Belgium, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe within 21 days before their inbound flight. Upon arrival, travelers will be required to:

• Present a copy of the traveler’s travel authorization or travel declaration
• Provide a copy of a vaccination certificate
• Provide evidence of receiving a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. Information on the specific name and address of the testing laboratory must be provided
• Complete a medical and travel questionnaire provided by the Medical Officer of Health. Some travelers may be required to undergo an additional medical examination
• Take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival
• Remain in self-isolation for 14 days at a private residence or quarantine facility

Looking Ahead

The Cayman Islands government has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on travelers arriving from any of the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective November 26, 2021, the government of the Czech Republic published new travel updates. Foreign nationals who have stayed for more than 12 hours in the last 14 days in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, or Mozambique will be prohibited from entering the Czech Republic. Citizens and foreign nationals with valid residence permits issued for more than 90 days must adhere to the following requirements when entering the Czech Republic, regardless of vaccination status:

Before Entry:

• Fill out the Passenger Locator Form
• Provide proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure
• Have confirmation of booking for a PCR test that will be carried out within 24 hours of arrival in the Czech Republic

After Arrival:

• Undergo a PCR test within 24 hours after arrival
• Undergo self-isolation until a negative PCR test result is received between the tenth and 14th day of self-isolation
• Wear a respirator or similar protection (without an exhalation filter) for 14 days after arrival

For more information on the conditions of entry, click here.

Looking Ahead

The government of the Czech Republic has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries, as mentioned earlier.

Overview

Effective November 27, 2021, the government of Denmark announced that the countries of Angola, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia would be designated as red countries. Travelers who have resided in these countries within the last ten days before entering Denmark will be subject to additional entrance requirements, regardless of vaccination status. These requirements include:

• Perform a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entry into Denmark
• Undergo a ten-day quarantine

Travelers from Angola, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia who cannot present a negative COVID-19 test will not be permitted to enter Denmark. All direct flights from the above countries to Denmark have been halted. These requirements will not apply to travelers who have transited through these countries, as mentioned above. Travelers who are not permanent residents or do not hold a residence permit for Denmark will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test before entering Denmark and provide a reason for entry into the country.

Looking Ahead

The government of Denmark advised citizens and permanent residence to return to the country due to potential travel restrictions. For additional information from the Danish government concerning COVID-19 restrictions and updates regarding the Omicron strain, click here.

Overview

Effective January 7, 2022, the government of Estonia lifted previous entrance restrictions placed on travelers arriving from the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Egypt, and Turkey. These travelers will be subject to the exact entrance requirements of other international travelers.

Looking Ahead

The government of Estonia will continue to monitor COVID-19 rates around the globe and will implement additional health measures as needed.

Overview

Effective November 26, 2021, the EU countries agreed to impose temporary emergency restrictions on all non-essential travel from the countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. These temporary restrictions include suspending passenger flights from affected countries. EU citizens are also asked to avoid travel to these countries mentioned above.

Looking Ahead

Some member states of the EU have put stricter restrictions than the EU Council decision on travel.

Overview

Effective November 28, 2021, the government of Finland restricted entry into the country at its external borders from travelers, regardless of vaccination status, who have been in the countries of Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, or Zimbabwe during the 14 days before arrival in Finland. Limit exemptions, such as compelling family matters and personal reasons, will apply to travelers entering Finland. Citizens and permanent residents of Finland will still be permitted to enter Finland.

Looking Ahead

The measures mentioned above will remain in place until December 19, 2021.

Overview

The government of France has updated its list of red list countries to include Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. For a comprehensive list of red list countries and territories, click here. Travelers who have been in these countries are only permitted to travel to France on pressing grounds for travel. Travelers who are allowed to enter France on pressing grounds must:

• Present a negative PCR or antigenic test taken less than 48 hours before departure. Those who previously contracted COVID-19 can present a certificate of recovered date more than 11 days and less than six months before the date of arrival
• Submit to testing upon arrival in France
• Undergo a mandatory ten-day quarantine supervised by security forces

Looking Ahead

The government of France has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective November 28, 2021, the government of Georgia announced that all travelers who have been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, or Malawi in the last 14 days would be subject to additional COVID-19 regulations, regardless of citizenship. These regulations include:

• Undergo a 14-day quarantine in the quarantine faculty upon entrance into Georgia
• After the completion of the 14-day quarantine, individuals will undergo PCR testing

The government covers quarantine hotels and PCR-test costs for citizens of Georgia. Foreign nationals will be required to pay for their quarantine accommodations.

Looking Ahead

The government of Georgia has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the eight countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective November 27, 2021, the government of Germany announced that the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi, and Lesotho would be classified as virus variant areas. As a result, only German citizens or persons permitted to live in Germany will enter the country from these countries. Travelers originating from these countries are required to:

Before Arrival:

• Register travel electronically through the digital immigration registration system
• Present a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours before departure

After Arrival:

• Enter a two-week quarantine upon entry into Germany

This requirement applies to all travelers arriving from these countries, regardless of vaccination status.

Looking Ahead

The government of Germany has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries mentioned above.

Overview

The authorities of Hong Kong will add Nepal to the list of countries in which entry restrictions apply and extend current entry restrictions for travelers who have been in the countries of Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States for two or more hours. This requirement will remain in place until March 4, 2022. These restrictions will also apply to Hong Kong citizens and permanent residents. These conditions for travelers arriving from Nepal will also remain in place until March 4, 2022.

Effective January 8, 2022, the authorities of Hong Kong will not permit any travelers who have been in the countries of Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States for two hours or more to enter the region for 14 days. These restrictions will also apply to Hong Kong citizens and permanent residents.

The authorities of Hong Kong have placed travel restrictions on travelers arriving from several countries. These restrictions apply to travelers who have been in any below-listed countries or territories within 21 days before the limitation is announced. Hong Kong residents who have been in these countries in the last three weeks (21 days) are only permitted to board a flight to Hong Kong if they are fully vaccinated and hold a vaccination certificate.  These travelers will be required to:

• Undergo a 21-day quarantine at a designated hotel quarantine location
• Complete six COVID-19 tests administered during the quarantine period
• Complete a COVID-19 test at a community testing center 26 days after entering the country

The restricted countries and territories include:

• Effective February 11, 2022: Nepal
• Effective January 25, 2022: Turks & Caicos Islands
• Effective January 22, 2022: Papua New Guinea and Suriname
• Effective January 21, 2022: Honduras
• Effective January 19, 2022: Bhutan
• Effective January 13, 2022: Kyrgyzstan
• Effective January 13, 2022: Uzbekistan
• Effective January 11, 2022: Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Laos, and Mongolia
• Effective January 10, 2022: Iraq
• Effective January 9, 2022: Grenada, Mauritania, and Mayotte
• Effective January 8, 2022: Cape Verde, Niger, and South Sudan
• Effective January 7, 2022: Martinique
• Effective January 6, 2022: Bulgaria
• Effective January 4, 2022: Barbados, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Grenadines, Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent, and Uruguay
• Effective January 3, 2022: Libya
• Effective January 2, 2022: Belarus, Curaçao, and Vietnam
• Effective December 27, 2021: Dominican Republic, Kosovo, and Malta
• Effective December 24, 2021: Reunion and Serbia
• Effective December 23, 2021: Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Saint Martin (French section), and Venezuela
• Effective December 22, 2021: Burkina Faso, Cayman Islands, and Togo
• Effective December 21, 2021: Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Georgia, and Panama
• Effective December 18, 2021: Algeria, Ecuador, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Trinidad and Tobago
• Effective December 15, 2021: Mauritius and Sierra Leone
• Effective December 12, 2021: Estonia and Uganda

Looking Ahead

The authorities of Hong Kong have yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective November 28, 2021, the government of Iceland announced that all travelers who have been in high-risk zones, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa for more than 24 hours in the past 14 days, will be subject to additional COVID-19 regulations, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status. These regulations include:

• Undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Iceland
• Undergo a five-day quarantine
• Take an additional PCR test on the fifth day of quarantine

All travelers will be required to fill out a pre-registration form containing information on where they have traveled in the last 14 days and outline a quarantine plan, including information on where they plan to quarantine in Iceland. When boarding flights to Iceland, travelers must also present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken within the last 72 hours.

Travelers who can present a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate demonstrating that 14-180 days have passed since receiving their last vaccination dose or have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection will not be required to present a negative test.

Looking Ahead

The government of Iceland has recommended that travelers avoid traveling to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

Overview

Effective December 1, 2021, the government of India will implement a new Standard Operating Procedure for all international travelers. Under these procedures, travelers planning to travel should:

• Submit a self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal detailing the past 14 days of travel before traveling to India
• Upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test that was conducted within 72 hours before departure
• Each passenger must submit a declaration of authenticity of the COVID-19 test
• Agree to undergo government mandated home/institutional quarantine and self-monitor for possible COVID-19 symptoms

Upon arrival to India, travelers will:

• Undergo thermal screening
• Present the completed self-declaration form
• Travelers from countries that are not at risk will be required to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days post-arrival

Travelers who have been in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, or Israel will be subject to additional measures upon arrival in India. These travelers will be subject to the requirements as mentioned above and be required to:

• Take a post-arrival COVID-19 test
• Remain at the airport until the results are received
• If negative, the traveler will be required to undergo a home quarantine for seven days
• An additional COVID-19 test will be taken on day eight of the home quarantine
• If negative, the traveler will be required to monitor their symptoms for an additional seven days

Looking Ahead

The government of India has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions.

Overview

Effective January 4, 2022, the government of Indonesia will not permit travelers who have been in the countries of Norway, the United Kingdom, Denmark, or France in the past 14 days to enter the country.

The government of Indonesia has implemented new restrictions for international travelers arriving in Indonesia. Under these restrictions, foreign national travelers who have stayed or traveled through South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, and Hong Kong in the last 14 days will not be permitted to enter Indonesia. Single-entry or stay visas (ITAS) for foreign nationals from South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, and Hong Kong will be temporarily suspended.

Looking Ahead

The government of Indonesia has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions.

Overview

Effective November 26, 2021, the government of Ireland announced that it would require passport holders from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, and Lesotho to apply for an entry visa or transit visa before traveling to Ireland. Visa applications of passport holders from the countries mentioned earlier, and Zimbabwe and Mozambique will only be processed when specific emergency criteria are met. Such measures include the considerations below:

• An extended stay Employment application that is supported by a work permit or Atypical permissions
• Transport workers or transport service providers, including drivers of freight vehicles
• Students and trainees who travel abroad daily
• Third-country nationals traveling for third-level study
• Preclearance applications from De Facto Partner of an Irish National, De Facto Partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder, or a non-EEA Researcher on a Hosting Agreement and family members looking to join a UK National in Ireland
• Persons traveling for imperative business reasons
• Persons entitled to avoid the provision of the EU Free Movement Directive
• Passengers in transit

For an extensive list of travelers who fall under emergency criteria, click here.

The government of Ireland has also advised that travelers avoid non-essential travel to and from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Irish residents returning to Ireland from these countries will be required to:

• Undergo a home quarantine regardless of vaccination status or past recovery from COVID-19
• Undergo PCR testing throughout the quarantine

Looking Ahead

The government of Ireland has advised that Consulate and Embassy offices abroad may be functioning under limited hours due to COVID-19 related developments.

Overview

Effective December 17, 2021, the government of Israel will add the countries of the United Kingdom and Denmark to its red countries list due to omicron variant cases in the countries. Travelers who are not Israeli citizens or permanent residents will not be eligible to enter Israel. Israel citizens and permanent residents arriving from a red list country are required to:

• Undergo a mandatory facility quarantine until a negative PCR test result is presented
• Once a negative test result is received, the remainder of the quarantine can be completed at a home

For additional information, click here.

Effective immediately, the government of Israel will no longer allow all foreign nationals to enter Israel unless they have submitted for exceptional cases approved by the Exceptions Committee. Fully vaccinated citizens of Israel will be permitted to enter if they can:

• Take a PCR test upon arrival
• Proceed to isolation after testing
• The isolation period will end if a second PCR test is taken on the 3rd day of isolation and a negative test result is received

Unvaccinated citizens of Israel will be permitted to enter if they can:

• Take a PCR test upon arrival
• Proceed to isolation after testing
• The isolation period will end if a second PCR test is taken on the 7th day of isolation and a negative test result is received

The countries of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Eswatini to its red list of countries. Citizens of Israel who have been in these countries in the last 14 days before their return to Israel will be required to:

• Take a PCR test upon arrival
• Proceed to motel isolation until the test result is received
• After a negative result is received, the remainder of the isolation period is to be spent at home
• The isolation period will end if a second PCR test is taken on the 7th day of isolation and a negative test result is received

Looking Ahead

Currently, these changes will go into effect on November 28, 2021, and remain in place for a minimum of 14 days.

Overview

Effective November 27, 2021, the government of Italy restricted travel for all travelers who have been in the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Eswatini in the past 14 days. These entry restrictions do not apply to Italian citizens registered as residents in Italy before November 26, 2021. These travelers will be required to:

• Present a Passenger Locator Form in a digital format before boarding
• Present a negative molecular COVID-19 test that was taken within 72 hours before boarding
• Undergo a molecular or antigen test upon arrival in Italy
• Undergo a 10-day quarantine at the location indicated on the Passenger Locator Form
• Take a molecular test on day ten of quarantine

Looking Ahead

The government of Italy announced that the embassies located in these countries mentioned above would continue to monitor the situation and produce updates as needed.

Overview

Effective January 12, 2022, the government of Japan will permit foreign nationals and Japanese citizens arriving from Angola, Eswatini, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, and Lesotho to re-enter Japan so long as they hold a valid visa and obtain a re-entry permit.

Looking Ahead

All foreign nationals must apply for a visa unless they have obtained a re-entry permit. All travelers are subject to pre and post-arrival entrance testing and quarantine measures depending on the location of departure.

Overview

Effective December 3, 2021, the government of Liechtenstein will implement the same entrance and travel rules as Switzerland due to Liechtenstein’s customs union with Switzerland. Travelers arriving on direct flights from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and South Africa will not enter Liechtenstein. Citizens and permanent residents of Liechtenstein or Switzerland will enter Liechtenstein on private airways. Travelers are advised to contact the relevant airlines for additional information.

Looking Ahead

The government of Liechtenstein implements travel entrance requirements based on Switzerland’s requirements. The Swiss government has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on travelers arriving from any of the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective 10 Jan. 2022, the government of Lithuania lifted the enhanced entrance requirements placed on travelers arriving from the countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Travelers coming from these locations will be subject to the exact entrance requirements of all other travelers from gray and red category countries.

Looking Ahead

The government of Lithuania will continue to monitor the situation of COVID-19 around the globe and make adjustments to entrance requirements as needed.

Overview

Effective November 27, 2021, the government of Luxembourg has placed additional requirements on all travelers who have stayed in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe in the 14 days before travel to Luxembourg. These measures will remain in place until January 14, 2022. These additional requirements include:

• Undergo a COVID-19 test (PCR, TMA, or LAMP methods) as soon as possible upon entrance into Luxembourg
• Undergo a seven-day quarantine
• Take an additional nucleic acid amplification test (PCR, TMA, or LAMP method) on the 6th day of quarantine

If a test is not submitted upon arrival and at the end of the 7-day quarantine period, the quarantine period will be extended for seven more days, bringing the total duration to 14 days.

Looking Ahead

These additional requirements for South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe will remain in place until January 14, 2022. For further information on entrance requirements, click here.

Overview

This article was originally published on November 27, 2021, and was updated on December 17, 2021, to reflect new information.

As of December 16, 2021, travelers from Australia, the United States, Norway, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada, Nigeria, and India will be restricted. Travelers can arrive from these countries mentioned above but will be required to:

• Perform a pre-departure RT-PCR test two days before departure. The results must be negative to travel
• Perform an on-arrival RT-PCR test
• Be equipped with a digital tracker worn on the wrist on arrival
• Undergo a quarantine in a government quarantine center
• A seven-day quarantine will be required for fully vaccinated travelers, and a ten-day quarantine will be necessary for unvaccinated travelers
• Undergo an RT-PCR test on the fifth or eighth day for fully vaccinated travelers and the seventh and tenth day for unvaccinated travelers
• Undergo a risk assessment for COVID-19 symptoms on the seventh day for fully vaccinated travelers and day ten for unvaccinated travelers

Short term business travelers who enter Malaysia via a One Stop Centre (OSC) from any of the countries mentioned above will only be permitted entry if the following conditions are met:

The traveler is fully vaccinated;

• An RT-PCR test is performed two days before departure
• An on-arrival RT-PCR test is performed
• An RTK-Ag test is professionally administered on the third and fifth day; OR
• An RT-Ag self-test is administered on the second, fourth, and sixth, day and all results are reported through the MySjahtera application 

As of December 1, 2021, the government of Malaysia will not permit travelers who have been in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi in the past 14 days to enter the country. Malaysia’s citizens and permanent residents will not be permitted to enter the aforementioned countries. Citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders of Malaysia will be allowed to enter Malaysia from any of the countries mentioned above but will be required to:

• Perform a pre-departure RT-PCR test
• Perform an on-arrival RT-PCR test
• Undergo a 14-day quarantine in a government quarantine center, regardless of vaccination status
• Perform an RT-PCR test on the tenth day of quarantine

Looking Ahead

The government of Malaysia has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions.

Overview

Effective November 27, 2021, the government of Mongolia will not permit foreign national travelers who have been in or traveled through the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria in the past 14 days to enter Mongolia.

Citizens and permanent residents of Mongolia who have been in or traveled through the countries mentioned above will be permitted to enter Mongolia but must:

• Undergo PCR testing within 72 hours before departure to Mongolia
• Undergo a 10-day quarantine upon arrival in a government-managed designated facility
• Undergo an additional two tests during the quarantine period, regardless of vaccination status

Looking Ahead

The government of Mongolia has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries, as mentioned earlier.

Overview

Effective November 29, 2021, the government of Morocco suspended all direct passenger flights to Morocco until December 13, 2021.

Overview

As of November 26, 2021, the government of the Netherlands will not allow travelers from South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, and Zimbabwe to enter the Netherlands.

Looking Ahead

The government of the Netherlands has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective November 28, 2021, the government of New Zealand will only allow citizens of New Zealand to enter the nation from the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Seychelles, Malawi, and Mozambique. New Zealand citizens returning from these countries will be required to:

Before Arrival:

• Provide evidence of a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure

After Arrival:

• Stay in managed isolation for a full 14 days
• Take an RT-PCR test upon arrival or on day one of managed isolation
• Take an RT-PCR test on day three of managed isolation
• Take an additional RT-PCR test on day five or six of managed isolation

Looking Ahead

The government of New Zealand has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective December 23, 2021, the Norwegian government lifted restrictions on travelers from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Malawi. Travelers coming from these countries will be subject to the same entry restrictions as those in Norway. This includes:

• Entry registration requirements
• Testing requirements
• Providing documentation of a negative test taken before arrival and a verifiable COVID-19 vaccination certificate

Looking Ahead

The government of Norway has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on travelers arriving from any of the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective December 1, 2021, the government of Peru introduced entry restrictions for non-resident foreign nationals arriving from or who have been in the countries of South Africa or Botswana in the last 14 days. These measures will remain in place until February 28, 2022. Citizens of Peru and legal residents of Peru who arrive from or have been in South Africa or Botswana will be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a home residence or an isolation center. All travelers entering Peru will be required to:

• Present proof of having completed a whole vaccination regime at a minimum of 14 days before departure or submit a negative T-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure
• Within 72 hours, complete an Affidavit for Health and Geolocation Authorization
• Present the QR code of the Affidavit when boarding

Looking Ahead

Travel restrictions for South Africa or Botswana will remain in place until February 28, 2022.

Overview

The government of the Philippines will suspend all inbound international flights from the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique until December 15, 2021. Travelers who have arrived in the Philippines within the last seven days from any of these countries will be required to:

• Undergo a 14-day facility-based quarantine
• Take an RT-PCR test on day seven of the quarantine

These requirements do not apply to international travelers who have transited through any of the countries mentioned above. For additional information, click here.

Looking Ahead

The government of the Philippines has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions.

Overview

On February 11, 2022, the government of Poland updated quarantine requirements for all travelers entering the country. Regardless of country of departure and vaccination status, all travelers will be required to undergo a seven-day quarantine period.

Looking Ahead

Continue to monitor the government of Poland’s website for updates related to travel restrictions and entrance requirements changes.

Overview

Effective December 1, 2021, the government of Qatar added the countries of Bangladesh, Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, India, Indonesia, Lesotho, Namibia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, and Zimbabwe to its exceptional red list countries. Qatar maintains a list of green, red, and exceptional red countries and territories when monitoring COVID-19 risk levels. Travelers from exceptional red countries will have to undergo additional testing, entry, and quarantine requirements depending on their country of origin and vaccination status. For further information, click here.

Looking Ahead

The government of Qatar has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on travelers arriving from any of the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective November 28, 2021, the Russian government will restrict entry into the country for foreign nationals arriving from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Eswatini, Tanzania, the Hong Kong Special Administrative region, and foreign national travelers who have been in these territories within the last ten days.

Russian citizens arriving from the territories mentioned above as well as Israel, the United Kingdom, and foreign nationals coming from China, Israel, and the United Kingdom will be permitted to enter the Russian Federation but will be required to:

• Take a PCR test upon arrival
• Undergo self-isolation until a negative COVID-19 test result can be produced

Looking Ahead

The government of Russia has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries mentioned above. Flights from Tanzania will be suspended until February 1, 2022.

Overview

Effective December 2, 2021, the government of Singapore will update its testing requirements for travelers. All travelers not traveling through a Vaccinated Travel Lane will be required to:

• Undergo a PDT test within two days of their departure
• Upon arrival, all travelers must undergo a PCR test

Before arrival, travelers should register and make payment for their on-arrival PCR test.

Travelers transiting through a Vaccinated Travel Lane will be required to undergo additional supervised self-administered ART testing at a Quick Test Centre on day three and day seven of arrival.

Travelers arriving from Malaysia via a Vaccinated Travel Lane will be subject to a PDT test and an on-arrival ART test.

For additional information on border measures associated with countries and regions, click here.

Looking Ahead

The government of Singapore has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions.

Overview

Effective November 28, 2021, the government of South Korea imposed entry restrictions on foreign nationals who have been in the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi in the past two weeks. Citizens and permanent residents of South Korea returning to South Korea from any of the countries mentioned above will be required to:

• Undergo a government facility quarantine for ten days, regardless of vaccination status
• Take a PCR test on day one of quarantine, day five of quarantine, and day ten of quarantine

The government will allow foreign nationals who hold A-1 and A-2 visas to enter the countries mentioned above. The government will require these travelers to undergo a ten-day quarantine at a government-designated quarantine facility.

Looking Ahead

The government of South Korea has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions.

Overview

Effective December 13, 2021, the government of Spain will extend the below-mentioned compulsory quarantine to travelers arriving from Lesotho, Malawi, and Zambia.

Effective December 1, 2021, the government of Spain will incorporate additional control measures into the Spain Travel Health system for all arriving travelers who have been in the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe over the last 15 days. The Spain Travel Health system can be used for contact tracing and managing health checks, including proof of vaccination and testing status. The additional control measures will require travelers to:

• Submit proof of vaccination
• Submit evidence of an active infection detection (PDIA) antigen test upon arrival in Spain
• Undergo a compulsory ten-day quarantine

Individuals exempt from the requirements mentioned above include:

• Residents or holders of long-stay visas from an EU or Schengen associated country
• Citizens of Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican, or San Marino

Looking Ahead

These restrictions and additional health measures will continue to apply until December 29, 2021.

Overview

Effective November 26, 2021, the government of Switzerland will not permit direct flights from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and South Africa to enter the country. Swiss citizens and permanent residents in Switzerland or Liechtenstein will be allowed to enter Switzerland on private airways. Travelers are advised to contact the relevant airlines for additional information.

The government also introduced additional entry requirements for travelers arriving from Hong Kong, Israel, and Belgium. Under these requirements, travelers will be required to:

• Present a negative COVID-19 test
• Undergo a ten-day quarantine

Looking Ahead

The Swiss government has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on travelers arriving from any of the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective January 11, 2022, the government of Thailand will lift prior entrance restrictions placed on the countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa on November 29, 2021. Travelers arriving from these locations will now be able to register under Thailand’s Sandbox Scheme, which eases travel restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers entering Thailand. For additional information on the Sandbox Scheme, click here.

Looking Ahead

The government of Thailand will continue to monitor COVID-19 rates around the globe and will implement additional health measures as needed.

Overview

Effective December 2, 2021, the government of Ukraine introduced temporary restrictions on foreign nationals and stateless persons who are not residents of Ukraine, who have been in the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, and Mozambique for at least seven days within 14 days before arrival. The following travelers are exempt from these temporary restrictions:

• Foreign nationals and stateless persons who are permanent or temporary residents in Ukraine
• Foreign nationals and stateless persons who are the spouse or child of a Ukrainian citizen
• The staff of diplomatic missions and consular posts of foreign states, missions of international organizations accredited by the Ukrainian government, and members of their families
• Other categories of foreign nationals or stateless persons arriving in Ukraine with prior approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The travelers mentioned above who have been in the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, and Mozambique for at least seven days within 14 days before arrival will be required to:

• Undergo a 14-day self-isolation period
• Be subject to a PCR test or rapid antigen test during the self-isolation

Looking Ahead

The Ukrainian government has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on travelers arriving from the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Effective January 26, 2022, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government will resume inbound flights for the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

The government of the UAE will also update entrance measures for travelers arriving from Uganda, Ghana, and Rwanda beginning January 29, 2022. Travelers coming from these countries will be required to:

• Present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours of departure
• Take a rapid-PCR test at the airport of departure
• Take an additional PCR test upon arrival at the airport in the UA

Additional entrance requirements and precious may be applied upon arrival in the UAE.

Looking Ahead

The government of the UAE has yet to declare the length of the new restrictions on the countries mentioned above.

Overview

Beginning December 15, 2021, the government of the UK will remove all 11 countries from its red list. Travelers from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will no longer be required to quarantine at a managed quarantine hotel upon arrival.

All vaccinated travelers arriving in the UK will be required to:

• Take a pre-departure PCR or lateral flow test two days before departure
• Take a PCR test on or before day two after arrival and self-isolate until a negative test result is received

All unvaccinated travelers arriving in the UK will be required to:

• Take a pre-departure PCR or lateral flow test two days before departure
• Take additional tests on days two and eight after arrival
• Self-isolate for ten days

Looking Ahead

The government of the UK will review travel restrictions in the first week of January 2022.