Effective May 9, 2022, the Taiwanese government will reduce the required quarantine period for all international arrivals from ten days to seven, followed by a seven-day self-health management period. The announcement from Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) is an incremental step toward normalizing international travel procedures. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan has barred most foreign nationals from entering the country.
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South Korea Updates COVID-Related Entry Requirements
As of April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travelers entering South Korea through designated airports, including Incheon Airport, will be exempt from the government’s seven-day quarantine requirement. To be eligible for the exemption, travelers must upload proof of their vaccination status and negative COVID-19 test results and obtain a “Q-code” through an online application before entry. Travelers are advised to carry a print-out of the Q-code at the time of entry.
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Japan Reinstitutes Ban on Foreigner Entry Due to Omicron Variant
Due to the emergence of the Omicron variant, effective November 30, 2021 all new foreign travelers are in principle banned from entering Japan. This ban on foreign entry will be effective for a month and may be extended further depending on the infection rates in Japan and globally. Visa applications and valid new visa holders…
Japan in Midst of Heated Debate on Whether and How to Open the Country to Business Travel
The Japanese government has continued strict entry restrictions for essentially all foreigners due to COVID-19. At the same time, there have been heated debates amongst government officials and Japanese business groups on whether and how to loosen the entry restrictions for business travel, which have impacted both global business and the Japanese economy since the…
Chile Continues Banning Entry of Foreign Nationals and Placing Restrictions for Exit
Chile continues suspending the entry of foreign nationals due to the outbreak of Coronavirus until July 25, 2021. Exemptions have been carved out, including specific procedures for companies to apply for a a safe conduct (“Salvoconducto”) to allow entry to the country for essential or critical personnel.
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In Response to Rising COVID-19 Cases, Taiwan Continues Banning Foreign Nationals
Taiwan continues suspending the entry of visitors and resident visa holders until July 16. Only foreign nationals with an Alien Resident Certificate are permitted to enter. Exceptions are being considered on a case-by-case basis for emergencies and on humanitarian grounds.
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Decrease in Australia’s Incoming Passenger Cap
The limit on the number of international arrivals coming into Australia via commercial flights, the so-called “passenger cap”, will be halved from July 14 due to concerns around the Delta variant of Covid-19. The new cap will be 3,035 international arrivals per week, and each major airport will be subject to these caps:
- Sydney: 1,505 per week
- Perth: 265 per week
- Adelaide: 265 per week
- Melbourne: 500 per week
- Brisbane: 500 per week (plus 150 surge capacity)
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Stricter Quarantine Measures Into Japan a Surprise for Travelers from US States Such as New York, California and Others
From June 4, 2021, the Japanese government is to implement stricter quarantine measures for travelers from New York, California, Nevada and 12 other states, as well as certain other countries, due to COVID variant infection rates. Under the stricter quarantine measures, travelers from the applicable states and countries (regardless of nationality) will be required to…