The Hong Kong government has announced that beginning April 1, the mandatory quarantine period for all international travellers is halved from 14 days to seven days. With this newly shortened quarantine period, Hongkongers’ pre-pandemic normal of being able to hop out of the city to Korea or Thailand for a few days or weeks is slowly coming back into focus. With our new normal, you may even be planning on a longer ‘work-from-home’ situation in a beachside AirBnB.
To make your planning for a short getaway a bit easier, we’ve created a guide to vaccination requirements, quarantine duration, mandatory Covid testing, and visa validity lengths to help you weigh your options. All of the following places are currently allowing foreign nationals to enter, and all (except for Macau) have quarantine periods ranging from zero to seven days for fully vaccinated travellers.
Destinations requiring vaccination
Langkawi Island (Malaysia)
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: Yes, fully vaccinated travellers can enter Langkawi Island for tourist purposes under the international tourism bubble. Unvaccinated children 12 and under can travel with vaccinated guardians.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No quarantine necessary.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Must have a negative PCR test within 48 hours before departure. PCR or RAT test is mandatory upon arrival.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Yes, Hong Kong passport holders can enter Malaysia visa-free for 30 days. Holders of passports from 63 other places, including Japan, Canada, and Australia can enter Malaysia quarantine-free for 90 days.
Macau
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: Yes – only residents of Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China who haven’t been to any other places in the last 21 days may enter Macau and must be fully vaccinated.
- Do I need to quarantine?: All travellers must quarantine regardless of vaccination status. Those who have visited Hong Kong in the prior 14 days must isolate for 14 days. Those who have visited Taiwan in the prior 21 days must isolate for 21 days.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Travellers must have a negative PCR test result from the last 24 hours.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Yes, residents of the aforementioned places can stay in Macau for up to six months visa-free.
Myanmar
Myanmar’s borders reopened to foreign national after two years of closure on April 17, 2022.
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: Yes, all foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated to enter Myanmar.
- Do I need to quarantine?: Yes, 7-day quarantine is required.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Information about pre-arrival testing is yet to be released. Two PCR tests will be conducted during quarantine.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Yes, when international borders reopen, nationals from many places can enter Myanmar visa-free, ranging from 30 or 90 days. Hong Kong residents can enter for 30 days.
Pakistan
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: Yes, all travellers aged 12 and above must be fully vaccinated to enter Pakistan. (All vaccines on the WHO Emergency Use Listing are accepted.) Travellers who are medically exempt and over 18 must have a negative Covid test result issued within the 72 hours before departure.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No quarantine is required.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Vaccinated travellers don’t need a pre-arrival PCR test. All arrivals 6 years and above must take RAT upon arrival. Those who test positive and are 12 or above must quarantine at a designated facility.
- Can I enter visa-free?: No, Hong Kong nationals must apply for a visa prior to arrival. Valid for 30 days.
Philippines
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: Yes, foreign nationals must be vaccinated to enter the Philippines.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No, but travellers should self-monitor for symptoms for 7 days.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: A negative PCR test taken within 48 hours or antigen test conducted by a laboratory 24 hours before departure.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Holders of Hong Kong or Macau passports can enter the Philippines visa-free for 14 days.
Singapore
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: Yes, foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated to enter Singapore. Unvaccinated children 12 and below can also enter Singapore.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No quarantine required.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Travellers must present a negative PCR or professionally-administered RAT result upon arrival.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Citizens of most places can enter Singapore visa-free for 30 or 90 days. Hong Kong citizens can stay for 30 days.
Timor-Leste
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: Yes, foreign nationals need to be vaccinated to enter Timor-Leste.
- Do I need to quarantine?: Fully vaccinated travellers don’t need to quarantine. Failure to present a vaccination certificate and negative pre-departure test result will result in 14 days of quarantine.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Pre-departure PCR test conducted within the 72 hours prior to departure is required.
- Can I enter visa-free?: No, most foreign nationals must apply for a visa prior to arrival or for getting one on arrival. Valid for up to 90 days.
Destinations not requiring vaccination
Bangladesh
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, travellers can show either a vaccination record or a negative PCR test from the last 72 hours. Children under 12 don’t need to be vaccinated or present a negative test as long as their travel companions adhere to the entry guidelines.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No quarantine required.
- Pre-arrival/post-arrival testing?: If you have Covid-19 symptoms, you may be required to take a PCR test. If positive, you must isolate at a government facility for at least seven days.
- Can I enter visa-free?: No, you must apply for a visa prior to or upon arrival. Valid for 30 days and can be extended an additional 30 days.
Cambodia
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, but unvaccinated travellers are subject to quarantine.
- Do I need to quarantine?: Vaccinated travellers don’t need to quarantine. Unvaccinated travellers must quarantine for 14 days in a government-arranged hotel (pay on arrival) or private hotel (pre-booked).
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: No testing requirements.
- Can I enter visa-free?: No, you must apply for a visa prior to or upon arrival. Valid for 30 days from entry.
India
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No. Unvaccinated travellers must have a negative Covid test result, while vaccinated travellers just need a valid vaccination record.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No quarantine required.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Unvaccinated travellers must take a pre-arrival PCR test and upload the results online.
- Can I enter visa-free?: No, you must apply for a visa prior to arrival. Visa validity varies from 30 days to 5 years.
Indonesia
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, but unvaccinated travellers are subject to quarantine whereas vaccinated travellers aren’t.
- Do I need to quarantine?: Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers must quarantine at a government designated hotel for five days.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Pre-arrival PCR test must be taken within 48 hours prior to departure. Travellers who need to quarantine must take two PCR tests during quarantine.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Yes, most foreign nationals can visit Indonesia visa-free for 30 days. No extension is allowed.
Maldives
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists can enter Maldives.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No. However, if you exhibit Covid-19 symptoms, you may have to quarantine.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: No pre-arrival test is required. Travellers are advised to conduct a PCR test between the third and fifth day after arrival.
- Can I enter visa-free?: No, all tourists get on-arrival visas. Valid for 30 days.
Mongolia
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists can enter Mongolia.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No quarantine is required.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: No pre- or post-arrival Covid testing is required.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Yes, nationals of 26 places can enter Mongolia visa-free for various periods between 14-90 days. Hong Kong nationals can stay for 14 days visa-free.
Nepal
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, you can present either a vaccination certificate or negative Covid test (PCR, Gene Expert, True NAAT or WHO-accredited tests are all accepted) within 72 hours prior to departure.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No quarantine is required, for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: If you’re exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms, you may be subjected to Covid-19 testing on arrival.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Nearly all foreign nationals can be issued a visa on arrival. Multiple entry visas can be issued for 15, 30, or 90 days. Residents of China, Hong Kong, and Macau can have their visa fees waived.
South Korea
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, but unvaccinated travellers must quarantine while vaccinated travellers are eligible for quarantine exemption (given they’ve registered their overseas vaccination history through the ‘Q-Code’ system prior to arrival). Travellers from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Myanmar are not eligible for exemption even if fully vaccinated.
- Do I need to quarantine?: Unvaccinated travellers must quarantine for seven days at a government quarantine facility.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Pre-arrival PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure is required. All foreign arrivals will be taken for testing and must stay at the testing facility until they receive a negative result. A RAT must be self-conducted on the 6th or 7th day after arrival.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Under normal circumstances, Hong Kong citizens can enter South Korea visa-free for 90 days. However, the visa-free and K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) is currently suspended. Check with the Korean embassy about visa application.
Sri Lanka
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, but unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated travellers are limited to the Tourism Bio Bubble for 8 days/7 nights.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No quarantine is required. However, unvaccinated travellers are limited to the Tourism Bio Bubble for 7 days after arrival or 14 days after vaccination, whichever comes first. (This travel bubble consists of accredited hotels and approved tourist sites.)
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: A pre-arrival Covid-19 test is not required for vaccinated travellers. Unvaccinated travellers must have a PCR test result from within 72 hours or a RAT result from within 48 hours prior to departure. Travellers can also pay for an on-arrival PCR test for 40 USD. Travellers also need to get a on-arrival PCR test at a laboratory approved by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health. Children under 12 are exempt from this test.
- Can I enter visa-free?: No, tourists must get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to arrival. You must have Covid-19 insurance coverage to obtain an ETA.
Thailand
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign nationals can enter Thailand. Vaccinated travellers can apply to enter Thailand with a Thailand Pass under the Test and Go or Sandbox schemes. Unvaccinated travellers fall under the Alternative Quarantine scheme.
The difference between the Test and Go and Sandbox schemes are that with the latter, you can only move around within eligible Sandbox destinations; those under the former scheme have no limitations on movement except for on day one when awaiting their negative test result and are given a self-test kit for self-testing on day five, and must report the result on an app. - Do I need to quarantine?: Unvaccinated travellers must quarantine for 7/10/14 days at an approved AQ hotel in Bangkok and Metropolitan area. (Quarantine length depends on where you’re arriving from air, sea, or land.)
Vaccinated travellers under the Test and Go scheme need to isolate for one night at a government-approved hotel.
Vaccinated travellers under the Sandbox scheme who test negative with the day one test can move around within Sandbox areas for their first five nights. They must return to their pre-arranged accommodation every night for those nights. - Pre- and post-arrival testing?: Alternative Quarantine Scheme: Two PCR tests during quarantine.
Test and Go scheme: PCR test upon arrival and a self-conducted antigen test on day five after arrival. (Travellers must book and prepay for these tests.)
Sandbox scheme: PCR test upon arrival and a self-conducted antigen test on day five after arrival. (Travellers must book and prepay for these tests.) - Can I enter visa-free?: Most foreign nationals can enter Thailand visa-free for 30 or 90 days. Hong Kong citizens can stay for 30 days.
Vietnam
- Do I need to be vaccinated?: No, both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists can enter Vietnam. All tourists must follow the same entry requirements.
- Do I need to quarantine?: No quarantine is required.
- Pre- and post-arrival testing?: A negative PCR or RT-LAMP test result from within 72 hours OR a rapid antigen test result from within 24 hours before departure are required. Children under 2 are exempt.
- Can I enter visa-free?: Foreign nationals from everywhere except for 22 countries must apply online for a visa. Valid for 30 days.
Header image credits: the.epic.man via Canva
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