UNLOCKING ASIA PACIFIC TRAVEL
WHICH COUNTRIES ARE REOPENED FOR TOURISTS NOW?
Last updated: 6 October 2020
NOT YET FULLY REOPENED
AUSTRALIA
From October 2020, New Zealand citizens and residents are allowed to enter Australia. They can do this without having to undergo the quarantine.
NOT YET FULLY REOPENED
CAMBODIA
The country has suspended issuing e-visas, visas on arrival or visa exemptions until further notice. Foreign visitors are required to obtain a visa in advance, but it is still a difficult process.
LIMITED
CHINA
Only travelers from close alliances of China like Pakistan, Cambodia, Denmark, Austria, Greece, and Canada are allowed to enter the country. All arriving passengers are subject to quarantine policies.
CLOSED
INDONESIA
Indonesia is not yet open for general tourism. Plans to open Bali in September have been canceled. Indonesia will most likely remain closed until the end of 2020.
REOPENING SOON
JAPAN
Japan plans to reopen soon for selected countries: Australia, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. First, to business travelers and investors, then to students, and finally to general tourists. 14-days quarantine will be required.
NOT YET FULLY REOPENED
MALAYSIA
Malaysia remains closed to general tourism since March. Only medical tourists are allowed to enter the country - if they are coming from green zone countries: Brunei, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand.
REOPENED
MALDIVES
Contrary to many others on this list, Maldives is open to general tourism. Outbound foreign flights are resumed with normal traveling procedures. There is not even any testing or quarantining mandated upon arrival in the Maldives.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand has been closed since March 2020. Due to strict precautionary measures, it will be observing the same restrictions well into next year to maintain closure.
CLOSED
PAKISTAN
Travelers from all countries are allowed to visit Pakistan under regular visa requirements. There is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Pakistan, but a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate is required.
REOPENED
PARTIALLY REOPENED
SINGAPORE
Starting September 2020 the borders have been opened for tourists from selected countries: Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, and Vietnam. There is no quarantine, but visitors must bear costs of PCR tests and stay at Dedicated SHN Facilities for 2 days.
SRI LANKA
Reopening plans have been delayed. However, Sri Lanka promises to lift the travel ban for foreign tourists once they are over the pandemic’s final wave.
CLOSED
THAILAND
Thailand started opening its borders to foreign visitors in July 2020. At the moment the country allows long-term visitors who wish to stay in the country for at least 90 days, and accept to pay some additional fees for this privilege.
PARTIALLY REOPENED
TURKEY
Turkey has been one of the first Asian-European countries to officially open its borders to all tourists. The country allows all foreigners to enter under normal, pre-pandemic regulations.
REOPENED
UAE
Dubai was one of the few megacities that weren’t as severely affected. As of July 7th, 2020, United Arab Emirates welcomed the first batch of foreign travelers. At the moment, the country is opened to all visitors.
REOPENED