Border Closures

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Effective December 15, 2021, the Australian government will allow fully vaccinated travelers in eligible visa categories to travel to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. The government had previously planned to ease travel restrictions beginning December 1, but postponed those plans because of the identification of the omicron variant. In a press conference, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed that the easing of travel restrictions will move forward as planned beginning December 15.
Continue Reading Australia Eases Border Restrictions for Eligible Visa Holders

On November 26, 2021, Taiwan announced that it would add six African countries – South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe – to its list of “key high-risk countries,” effective November 29, 2021. Effective December 1, Taiwan also added Malawi, Mozambique, Egypt, and Nigeria to the list of key high-risk countries. Individuals who have traveled in any of these ten countries within the past fourteen days must quarantine at government group quarantine facilities for fourteen days and complete an additional seven-day self-health management period. The announcements are part of Taiwan’s effort to slow the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Continue Reading Taiwan Updates Entry Restrictions in Light of Omicron Variant

On October 15, 2021, the Biden Administration confirmed that it will rescind the COVID-19 travel restrictions banning most travel from Europe, Brazil, India, China, Iran, and South Africa effective November 8, 2021.  In its place, the Administration will impose new COVID-19 prevention protocols on all international air travelers, including those coming from countries not previously impacted by the COVID-19 travel bans.
Continue Reading U.S. to Replace Travel Bans with Vaccine Mandates on November 8th

On October 12, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will reopen the U.S. land borders with Mexico and Canada for non-essential travel for vaccinated travelers.  Non-essential travel includes tourism and family visits.  Land and ferry crossings from Canada and Mexico have been closed to non-essential travel since March 2020.    DHS indicated that this policy change will align land border crossings with the new international air travel COVID-19 prevention protocols to be implemented in November 2021. Accordingly, it does not appear as if U.S. citizens will be required to be vaccinated to enter the U.S. from Canada or Mexico.  Similar to the the new rules for international air travel, DHS has not announced a specific day in November that the land borders with Canada and Mexico would be reopened for non-essential travel.
Continue Reading US to Reopen Border with Mexico and Canada

Chile’s Ministry of the Interior and Public Security announced an extension to the country’s border closure, due to COVID-19, to remain in place until October 31, 2021, as well as some modifications to the previously announced “Protected Borders Plan”.
Continue Reading Chile Extends Border Closures and Exit Restrictions, With Some Exceptions

On September 16, 2021, Chile’s Ministry of Health announced major modifications to the country’s “Protect Borders” plan, which will now allow for vaccinated non-resident visitors to enter Chile with a “Mobility Pass” (Pase de Movibilidad).  As of September 16, 2021, potential visitors to Chile can apply for a Mobility Pass with proof of vaccination* through the Chilean government’s website and receive a pass in approximately a month.  Visitors with a Mobility Pass will be able to enter Chile starting on October 1, 2021.
Continue Reading Chile Introduces a Mobility Pass Relaxing Rules for Entry of Vaccinated Visitors