Category: Asia Pacific

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

Thailand Stops Quarantine-Free Entry

Thailand Stops Quarantine-Free Entry

Thailand is stopping its “Test and Go” waiver program and reinstating its mandatory COVID-19 quarantine for foreign visitors and scrapping a quarantine waiver from today due to concerns over the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. The decision means visitors will have to go into hotel quarantine for between 7 to 10 days. Additionally, the “sandbox”…
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Australia Delays Reopening Plans for Visa Holders

People eager to return to Australia have been plunging in and out of hope and despair as the country announced it had delayed the reopening of its borders over Omicron concerns. 1 December should have been a time of celebration but things took a turn for eligible visa holders planning to travel to Australia.  The…
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COVID-19: Which Countries Are Closed Again? Updated Restrictions Due to Omicron Variant and How to Bypass Them

The omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was first detected in South Africa on November 24, 2021. Since its discovery, countries around the world have closed their borders to citizens, travellers, or visitors from many African countries in hopes of slowing the spread of the virus.  Each country has its own set of rules…
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New Zealand Sets 2022 Reopening Date For Tourists

New Zealand announced cautious plans to reopen its borders in recent days but it’s still months before tourists are allowed back. After almost two years of closed borders, New Zealand has set its official reopening date of 30 April 2022 for fully vaccinated international travellers. New Zealand’s COVID-19 response minister Chris Hipkins announced in a…
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Australia Allows Entry to Students and Eligible Visa Holders

The Australian federal government has announced plans to relax its international borders substantially from the start of December. From 1 December, Australia will allow fully vaccinated eligible visa holders, including skilled workers, students and travellers on working holidays to enter the country without the need to apply for a travel exemption.  The return of skilled…
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