Category: Asia Pacific

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

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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New US Travel Rules: How Unvaccinated Travellers Can Go to the USA

As of this week, the United States lifted the travel restrictions that barred non-US citizens from Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom from entering the country. With the reopening of US border restrictions, the United States is also imposing new rules requiring nearly all foreign adult visitors…
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EU Safe List: EU Removes 2 Countries from Safe List

The Council of the European Union announced the decision to take Singapore and Ukraine out of the safe third countries on 9 November. The removal of the countries means that the Council recommends for EU members to reintroduce a temporary entry ban for non-essential travel for visitors from Singapore and Ukraine. According to the recommendation,…
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