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• Fact Sheets

Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S.

Updated Date: April 21, 2022

Since January 22, 2022, DHS has required non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon request.  On April 21, 2022, DHS announced that it would extend these requirements. In determining whether and when to rescind this order, DHS anticipates that it will take account of whether the vaccination requirement for non-U.S. air travelers remains in place.

These requirements apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for essential or non-essential reasons. They do not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.

Effective November 8, 2021, new air travel requirements applied to many noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily. These travelers are also required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. All air travelers, including U.S. persons, must test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure. Limited exceptions apply. See  CDC guidance  for more details regarding air travel requirements.

Below is more information about what to know before you go, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about cross-border travel.

Entering the U.S. Through a Land Port of Entry or Ferry Terminal

Q. what are the requirements for travelers entering the united states through land poes.

A:  Before embarking on a trip to the United States, non-U.S. travelers should be prepared for the following:

• Possess proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the  CDC  website.
• During border inspection, verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status. 
• Bring a  Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative  compliant border crossing document, such as a valid passport (and visa if required), Trusted Traveler Program card, a Department of State-issued Border Crossing Card, Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Tribal Card when entering the country. Travelers (including U.S. citizens) should be prepared to present the WHTI-compliant document and any other documents requested by the CBP officer.

 Q. What are the requirements to enter the United States for children under the age of 18 who can't be vaccinated?

A:  Children under 18 years of age are excepted from the vaccination requirement at land and ferry POEs.

Q: Which vaccines/combination of vaccines will be accepted?

A:  Per CDC guidelines, all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized vaccines, as well as all vaccines that have an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO), will be accepted.

Accepted Vaccines:

• More details are available in CDC guidance  here .
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose COVID-19 vaccine;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

Q. Is the United States requiring travelers to have a booster dose to be considered fully vaccinated for border entry purposes?

A:  No. The CDC guidance for “full vaccination” can be found here.

Q: Do U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land POEs and ferry terminals?

A:  No. Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation.

Q: Is pre- or at-arrival COVID testing required to enter the United States via land POEs or ferry terminals?

A: No, there is no COVID testing requirement to enter the United States via land POE or ferry terminals. In this respect, the requirement for entering by a land POE or ferry terminal differs from arrival via air, where there is a requirement to have a negative test result before departure.

Processing Changes Announced on January 22, 2022 

Q: new changes were recently announced. what changed on january 22.

A:  Since January 22, 2022, non-citizens who are not U.S. nationals or Lawful Permanent Residents have been required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States at land ports of entry and ferry terminals, whether for essential or nonessential purposes. Previously, DHS required that non-U.S. persons be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States for nonessential purposes.  Effective January 22, all non-U.S. individuals, to include essential travelers, must be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request. DHS announced an extension of this policy on April 21, 2022.

Q: Who is affected by the changes announced on January 22?

A: This requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. It applies to other noncitizens, such as a citizen of Mexico, Canada, or any other country seeking to enter the United States through a land port of entry or ferry terminal.

Q: Do U.S. citizens need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land port of entry or ferry terminals?

A: Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation. 

Q: What is essential travel?

A:  Under the prior policy, there was an exception from temporary travel restrictions for “essential travel.” Essential travel included travel to attend educational institutions, travel to work in the United States, travel for emergency response and public health purposes, and travel for lawful cross-border trade (e.g., commercial truckers). Under current policy, there is no exception for essential travel.

Q: Will there be any exemptions? 

A: While most non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States will need to be vaccinated, there is a narrow list of exemptions consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order in the air travel context.

• Certain categories of individuals on diplomatic or official foreign government travel as specified in the CDC Order
• Children under 18 years of age;
• Certain participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials as specified in the CDC Order;   
• Individuals with medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as specified in the CDC Order;
• Individuals issued a humanitarian or emergency exception by the Secretary of Homeland Security;
• Individuals with valid nonimmigrant visas (excluding B-1 [business] or B-2 [tourism] visas) who are citizens of a country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability, as specified in the CDC Order
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age) as specified in the CDC Order; and
• Individuals whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Q: What documentation will be required to show vaccination status?

A:  Non-U.S. individuals are required to be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request regardless of the purpose of travel.

The current documentation requirement remains the same and is available on the CDC website . Documentation requirements for entry at land ports of entry and ferry terminals mirror those for entry by air.

Q: What happens if someone doesn’t have proof of vaccine status?

A: If non-U.S. individuals cannot present proof of vaccination upon request, they will not be admitted into the United States and will either be subject to removal or be allowed to withdraw their application for entry.

Q: Will incoming travelers be required to present COVID-19 test results?

A: There is no COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers at land border ports of entry, including ferry terminals.

Q: What does this mean for those who can't be vaccinated, either due to age or other health considerations? 

A: See CDC guidance for additional information on this topic. Note that the vaccine requirement does not apply to children under 18 years of age.

Q: Does this requirement apply to amateur and professional athletes?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions.

Q: Are commercial truckers required to be vaccinated?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions. These requirements also apply to bus drivers as well as rail and ferry operators.

Q. Do you expect border wait times to increase?

A:  As travelers navigate these new travel requirements, wait times may increase. Travelers should account for the possibility of longer than normal wait times and lines at U.S. land border crossings when planning their trip and are kindly encouraged to exercise patience.

To help reduce wait times and long lines, travelers can take advantage of innovative technology, such as facial biometrics and the CBP OneTM mobile application, which serves as a single portal for individuals to access CBP mobile applications and services.

Q: How is Customs and Border Protection staffing the ports of entry? 

A: CBP’s current staffing levels at ports of entry throughout the United States are commensurate with pre-pandemic levels. CBP has continued to hire and train new employees throughout the pandemic. CBP expects some travelers to be non-compliant with the proof of vaccination requirements, which may at times lead to an increase in border wait times. Although trade and travel facilitation remain a priority, we cannot compromise national security, which is our primary mission. CBP Office of Field Operations will continue to dedicate its finite resources to the processing of arriving traffic with emphasis on trade facilitation to ensure economic recovery.

Q: What happens if a vaccinated individual is traveling with an unvaccinated individual?  

A:  The unvaccinated individual (if 18 or over) would not be eligible for admission.

Q: If I am traveling for an essential reason but am not vaccinated can I still enter?

A:  No, if you are a non-U.S. individual. The policy announced on January 22, 2022 applies to both essential and non-essential travel by non-U.S. individual travelers. Since January 22, DHS has required that all inbound non-U.S. individuals crossing U.S. land or ferry POEs – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request.

Q: Are sea crew members on vessels required to have a COVID vaccine to disembark?

A:  Sea crew members traveling pursuant to a C-1 or D nonimmigrant visa are not excepted from COVID-19 vaccine requirements at the land border. This is a difference from the international air transportation context.

Entering the U.S. via Air Travel

Q: what are the covid vaccination requirements for air passengers to the united states  .

A:  According to CDC requirements [www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html | Link no longer valid], most noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily must be fully vaccinated prior to boarding a flight to the United States. These travelers are required to show proof of vaccination. A list of covered individuals is available on the CDC website.  

Q: What are the COVID testing requirements for air passengers to the United States?  

A:  Effective Sunday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. ET, CDC will no longer require pre-departure COVID-19 testing for U.S.-bound air travelers.

• Border Security
• Transportation Security
• Airport Security
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

International Travel Restrictions by Country

Find out where you can travel and covid-19 policies.

Select origin country, search destination or select a country on the map to see travel restrictions.

The travel status of individual countries can change suddenly, and we know it can be hard to stay on top of it all. That's why we're getting you the information you need to consider when planning travel. Learn about country-specific entry requirements such as the border status, COVID-19 testing requirements, and quarantine requirements. Many countries are reopening their borders for international travel. Find out which countries are open to vaccinated travelers.

Just enter your departure country above - the map will update to reflect countries' opening status and any entry requirements for air travelers. Before you book, be sure to double check your country's official government site.

Destinations you can travel to now

Dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Filter by region, status and more

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Albania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Algeria.

American Samoa

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter American Samoa.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Angola.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Anguilla.

Antigua And Barbuda

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Antigua And Barbuda.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Argentina.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Armenia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Aruba.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Australia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Austria.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Azerbaijan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bahrain.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bangladesh.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Barbados.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Belgium.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Belize.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Benin.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bermuda.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bhutan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bolivia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Botswana.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Brazil.

British Virgin Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the British Virgin Islands.

Brunei Darussalam

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Brunei Darussalam.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bulgaria.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Burundi.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cambodia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cameroon.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Canada.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cape Verde.

Caribbean Netherlands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Caribbean Netherlands.

Cayman Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Cayman Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Chad.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Chile.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter China.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Colombia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Comoros.

Cook Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Cook Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Costa Rica.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Croatia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Curaçao.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cyprus.

Czech Republic

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Czech Republic.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Denmark.

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Djibouti without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Dominica.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Dominican Republic.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, need to quarantine to enter East Timor.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ecuador.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Egypt.

El Salvador

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter El Salvador.

Equatorial Guinea

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Equatorial Guinea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Eritrea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Estonia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Eswatini.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ethiopia.

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

Faroe Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Faroe Islands.

Federated States of Micronesia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Federated States of Micronesia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Fiji.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Finland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter France.

French Guiana

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter French Guiana.

French Polynesia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter French Polynesia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Gabon.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Gambia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Georgia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Germany.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ghana.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Gibraltar.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Greece.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Greenland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Grenada.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guadeloupe.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guam.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guatemala.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guinea.

Guinea-Bissau

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guinea-Bissau.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guyana.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Honduras.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Hong Kong.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Hungary.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Iceland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter India.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Indonesia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ireland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Italy.

Ivory Coast

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ivory Coast.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Jamaica.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Japan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Jersey.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Jordan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kazakhstan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kenya.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kiribati.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kosovo.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kuwait.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kyrgyzstan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Laos.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Latvia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Lesotho.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Liberia.

Liechtenstein

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Liechtenstein.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Lithuania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Luxembourg.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Macau.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Madagascar.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Malawi.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Malaysia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Maldives.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Malta.

Marshall Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Marshall Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Martinique.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mauritania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mauritius.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mayotte.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mexico.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Moldova.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mongolia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Montenegro.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Montserrat.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mozambique.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Namibia.

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Nauru without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Nepal.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Netherlands.

New Caledonia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter New Caledonia.

New Zealand

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter New Zealand.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Nicaragua.

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Niger without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Nigeria.

North Macedonia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter North Macedonia.

Northern Mariana Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Northern Mariana Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Norway.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Oman.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Pakistan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Palau.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Panama.

Papua New Guinea

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Papua New Guinea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Paraguay.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Peru.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Philippines.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Poland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Portugal.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Puerto Rico.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Qatar.

Republic of the Congo

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Republic of the Congo without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Réunion.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Romania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Rwanda.

Saint Barthélemy

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Barthélemy.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Saint Lucia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Lucia.

Saint Martin

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Martin.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Samoa.

São Tomé and Príncipe

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter São Tomé and Príncipe.

Saudi Arabia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saudi Arabia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Senegal.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Serbia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Seychelles.

Sierra Leone

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sierra Leone.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Singapore.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Slovakia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Slovenia.

Solomon Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Solomon Islands.

South Africa

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter South Africa.

South Korea

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter South Korea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Spain.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sri Lanka.

St. Maarten

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter St. Maarten.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sudan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Suriname.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sweden.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Switzerland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Taiwan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tajikistan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tanzania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Thailand.

The Bahamas

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter The Bahamas.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Togo.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tonga.

Trinidad and Tobago

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Trinidad and Tobago.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tunisia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Türkiye.

Turkmenistan

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, will not be allowed to enter Turkmenistan.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tuvalu.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uganda.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United Arab Emirates.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United Kingdom.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uruguay.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uzbekistan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Vanuatu.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Vietnam.

Wallis and Futuna

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Wallis and Futuna.

Western Sahara

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, will not be allowed to enter Western Sahara.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Zambia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Zimbabwe.

Get trip-ready with at-home COVID-19 tests

How often is the data on this page updated.

We check for travel restriction information from government authorities daily, and update the page any time we get new information. The following information regarding travel restrictions for each country is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.

How many countries are closed to visitors?

As of Sep 11, 2 countries have completely restricted entry to non-citizens and 5 are open but require quarantine and/or a negative COVID test.

Where can I travel without COVID restrictions?

Currently you can travel from the United States to 197 countries without restrictions. Please check our map to learn more.

Are there any other types of travel restrictions besides COVID-19 tests and quarantines?

These are the two main types of restrictions or requirements needed to travel into another country. However, the COVID-19 testing options are continually widening as new methods are developed. Different countries may accept results from different or multiple test types, so be sure to check the individual country's specific requirements.

What should I do if I get COVID-19 while in another country?

If you get COVID-19 while in another country, follow the local authority's recommendations. These may include hospitalization, self-isolating and testing in that country. Be sure to contact your travel insurance company and travel provider as well and inform them of your situation.

What should I do if the borders of the country I am visiting close?

Depending on your home country, you may need to change your departure date and return home as soon as possible. If that's the case, contact your travel provider to find the earliest departure.

Additional resources

• What you need to know
• Airline policies
• Hotel policies
• Car policies
• Tips for flying
• Tips for hotel
• Tips for vacation rental

If you're looking for personalized travel advice for your own travel plans like whether or not a restriction applies to your trip, we won't be able to answer any questions or offer advice. Please consult your local government's resources.

This website is managed by Siam Legal International - a law firm in Thailand

Latest Thailand Entry Requirements

After two years of dealing with Covid, international travel is returning to normal. To help welcome visitors back to the Land of Smiles, the Thai government lifted its final restrictions on July 1st, 2022.

From July 1st, the following changes have been implemented for all international travelers.

• Foreigners do not need to show proof of Covid Insurance.
• All mandatory hotel quarantine has been removed.
• Thailand Pass is no longer required for foreign travelers entering Thailand.
• Vaccinated travelers do not need to provide proof of vaccination to Thai authorities before arriving.
• Unvaccinated travelers (including children traveling with unvaccinated parents) will need to complete an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) 72 hours before departing for Thailand. Proof does not need to be uploaded before traveling.
• Airlines and Thai Immigration will do random checks to confirm travelers meet Covid prevention requirements (vaccination or Covid test).

Below is a full list of what international travelers need before entering Thailand.

Required Documents for Travel to Thailand

Please have the following documents ready.

• Passport with at least six month validity
• Visa or visa exemption qualification
• Buy Thailand Travel Insurance
• Boarding pass to be presented at Passport Control
• Hotel booking confirmation if asked by Immigration Officer
• Note: Vaccination record no longer required

Incorrect documents will delay the entry screening by rules from the Thai immigration bureau and its Thai immigration officials.

Buy Your Insurance Now

Passport Validity / Visas

The first thing to check before planning to travel to Thailand is the validity of your passport. International travel requires that your passport is not expiring within six months of your travel date. If you have less than six months left on your passport, you cannot enter Thailand.

If you are planning to travel in the future, check your passport early so you know if you need to apply for a new one or not. It is best to check with your local embassy about how long it will take to receive your new passport. As people look to travel again, passport departments are swamped with new applications and this is causing a backlog in many countries.

There are several visas available to foreigners who are planning to visit Thailand. The visa you need will depend on where you are from, your purpose of travel, and how long you intend to stay.

Visa Exemption

A foreign visitor may enter Thailand under the Visa Exemption Program . Nationalities under the Visa Exemption Program may enter Thailand without a visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate.

Upon arriving in Thailand, most nationalities who are part of the Visa Exemption Program may stay for up to 30 days. Certain nationalities can arrive as part of this program, but for a shorter time. It is best to check the country exemption list and confirm how long you can visit Thailand without needing to apply for a Visa.

Tourists arriving under visa exemption are eligible to extend their stay for up to a further 30 days by visiting a local Thai Immigration Office. The cost to extend is approximately 2000 baht.

There is often confusion about Visa Exemption and “Visa on Arrival”. Visa on Arrival is a 15-day visa for travelers from India,  China, and 16 other countries. If you do not find your country on the Visa Exemption list, it is best to check the Visa on Arrival list.

There are some important things to note for Visa on Arrival:

• A passport must be valid for at least 30 days.
• The purpose of the visit is strictly tourist.
• A visitor must show an address in Thailand where they will be staying.
• A traveler must have a confirmed return flight.
• Must show proof of funds to the value of 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht for a family.
• A fee of 2000 baht is paid on arrival. The fee must be paid in cash and in Thai baht.

Tourist Visa and Special Tourist Visa (STV)

Foreigners may also apply for a Tourist Visa from a Thai embassy or consulate. There is the normal 60-day tourist visa that can be extended for additional 30 days, or the 90-day Special Tourist Visa (STV), which can be extended for 90 days twice at a local immigration office. There are certain requirements needed for the STV, but it allows a visitor to potentially stay in Thailand for 9 months. The Special Tourist Visa is currently scheduled to halt applications in September.

Contact your local Thai Embassy to verify what documents are needed to complete the process. When your visa is approved, the Embassy will place a sticker on your passport, so allow time for potential postage.

For those entering Thailand for a different purpose of stay, they need to obtain a Thai visa from their local Thai Embassy or Consulate prior to coming to Thailand.

Non-Immigrant Visa

Foreigners may apply for a wide range of long-term non-immigrant visas:

• Non-immigrant B Visa – for conducting business or employment
• Non-immigrant O visa – for visiting Thai spouse and family
• Non-immigrant ED visa – for students of recognized institutions in Thailand and their Parents or Legal guardian
• Non-immigrant O retirement visa – for those who wish to retire in Thailand
• Non-immigrant OA and OX visa – for those who wish to obtain a Thailand retirement visa for a long stay (it differs from type O visa)

The above visas can be organized at a local Thai Embassy or Consulate. The paperwork can be quite involved, but there are companies that can help.

Siam Legal International is a reputable company in Thailand that has offered visa assistance to foreign visitors for years. They are well versed in Thai immigration policies and processes. If you would like to streamline your long-term stay in Thailand, it is worth contacting them.

Thai Elite Visa

If you wish to make Thailand easily accessible for many years to come or are perhaps thinking of relocating permanently, it is worth having a look at the Thai Elite Visa.

The Thai Elite Visa allows foreign citizens to live in Thailand for 5, 10, or even 20 years. Thai Elite members do not need to worry about some of the eligibility criteria that are needed when applying for other long-term visas.

The Thai Elite visa is an exclusive visa that offers a host of benefits to holders. If you want to enjoy “Thai life” for the long term, you can read more about the Thai Elite Visa .

Proof of Vaccine or Testing

How a visitor enters Thailand will still depend on their vaccination status.

Vaccinated Travelers

Vaccinated travelers do not need to provide proof of vaccination to Thai authorities before arriving. A vaccinated traveler will need to have a copy of their vaccination certificate either printed or on a digital device and be able to present it if asked.

Thailand does not require visitors to have had a third booster shot. 2 shots (1 shot for Jansen) is considered fully vaccinated and accepted.

Unvaccinated Travelers

Unvaccinated travelers will need to complete an RT-PCR test or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) within 72 hours before boarding a flight in their departure country. They will need to have a copy of the test result and be able to present it if asked.

The RT-PCR and Pro-ATK test must be completed by a medical professional and a test report received. The home ATK (RAT) self-test is not acceptable for entering Thailand.

Vaccination and Testing for Children

The testing requirement for children under 18 depends on the vaccination status of their parents. Children traveling with vaccinated parents do not need to complete any RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test before entering Thailand. Children traveling with unvaccinated parents will need to complete the same test as their parents within 72 hours of departing their home country.

It is important to note that many airlines are still asking for proof of vaccination or a Covid test before boarding flights. If you cannot produce one of these documents, you might not board the flight.

Though foreigners no longer need to provide evidence of testing or vaccination prior to arriving in Thailand, they are still required. Thai authorities are conducting random checks of international passengers and if a vaccination certificate or test result cannot be shown, a visitor will not be allowed to enter Thailand.

Insurance has become a dirty word during Covid. Seasoned travelers have always understood the importance of having comprehensive Travel Insurance when traveling abroad. Travel insurance protected travelers from unexpected incidents like:

• Medical emergencies
• Personal injury & accidents
• Missed or delayed flights
• Damage to belongings
• Lost luggage

It was one of those things that people hoped they would never need but regretted not having when needed.

During the Pandemic, proof of insurance became mandatory when visiting countries like Thailand. Over time, people stopped referring to insurance as “Travel Insurance” and always referred to it as “Covid Insurance”. Because you had to have it, it was another hoop to jump through.

The good news is that you no longer need to provide proof of “Covid Insurance” to enter Thailand. But it is recommended because all the things listed above can still happen, and Covid has not disappeared completely.

Foreign visitors are not eligible for free medical care in Thailand if something should happen. Whether it be an accident or personal injury, if a visitor needs medical help, or has a canceled flight, they will need to cover any expenses themselves. Depending on the severity, this could be hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

Buying good Travel Insurance shouldn’t break the bank. Protecting yourself is cheaper than medical bills, new flights, and replacing lost luggage.

You can buy Travel Insurance from many companies. But if you are looking for coverage that is designed for Thailand, is trusted by Thai authorities and medical institutions, and offers a helpline with people who speak the local language and know the country’s procedures, it is worth checking out AXA Thailand .

Their policies are well priced, straightforward, offer many benefits to its customers, and can be approved in minutes.

Get your travel insurance here: https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal

Hotel and Proof of Address Updates

Previously, a foreign visitor would complete an Arrival Card (TM6) before entering Thailand. This requirement has been temporarily removed as part of a new initiative by the Thai government.

A visitor no longer needs to provide proof of a hotel booking before departing their country, but will still need to provide an address when passing through Passport Control in Thailand. This address can be a hotel, home, or friend’s address.

This is especially true with people arriving on a pre-approved visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate.

From July 1, travelers are no longer required to book a SHA+ hotel and undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival. Most hotels have removed their SHA+ quarantine packages, but you will still see the SHA+ badge displayed on hotels.

It is recommended to browse hotels in Thailand on Agoda.com before arriving as it is easier to organize transport to your first night’s rest if pre-booked.

Thailand Pass

From July 1st, 2022, foreign travelers no longer need to apply for a Thailand Pass before entering Thailand. The system is still in place but is now a platform where visitors can notify the Thai authorities and medical facilities if they are diagnosed positive for Covid during their stay.

If you need to access the Thailand Pass system while in Thailand, please visit https://tp.consular.go.th/ and register by filling in your personal details on the Thailand Pass registration page.

International Arrivals

Travelers do not need to provide any proof of flights before leaving their home country.

There is a lot of discussion about whether a return flight needs to be booked when entering Thailand. Technically, all visitors should have a return flight booked. However, you will not always be asked to present evidence of a return flight.

If a visitor is entering Thailand with a pre-approved visa, or Visa on Arrival, they will often be asked to present details of their exit flight. Sometimes a visitor did not have a return flight and had to book a flight on the spot before being processed through Passport Control. To avoid this, it is best to book an exit flight that can be changed. You can always change your plans once in Thailand.

Domestic flights

There are no longer any restrictions on domestic flights and travel. When entering Thailand at an international terminal, a traveler is free to transit to a domestic flight right away. “Sealed” flights have been removed.

Domestic airlines will not always ask for proof, but it is best to have your vaccination certificate or Covid test result on hand in case you are asked to show it.

Siam Legal has received reports from potential clients that some hospitals are creating difficulties for them until full payment is made for their medical expenses. Also, foreigners have allegedly been threatened with lawsuits for not settling their medical bills before being discharged. Using out-of-country policies can be problematic. We recommend using insurance providers headquartered inside Thailand with a proper cover to avoid any undesirable outcomes.

Siam Legal International, a premier law firm in Thailand, recommends purchasing the proper insurance and so endorses AXA Insurance for your travel to Thailand insurance needs.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT POINTS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE

• Please review the details of any insurance before purchasing to understand if the policy has adequate cover. Cheap policies with inadequate levels of cover can lead to significant personal liability, and scenarios where policy holders incur hundreds of thousands of baht in out-of-pocket medical expenses have been reported. There are significant financial risks to being underinsured during your stay in Thailand.
• These policies do not cover medical costs from accidents (like motorcycle accidents) or common unexpected illnesses (common fever or food poisoning). Best to pay a few baht more for the peace of mind that comes from having proper coverage.
• AXA covers medical expenses (outpatient and inpatient) for accidents and illnesses, including COVID-19. Other insurance coverage might not.
• AXA also covers telemedicine and teleconsultation, which may be required during the quarantine period of any traveler.

Thai hospital staff are familiar with AXA cover, which should prevent any inconvenience during hospital admission or medical treatment from your hotel room. AXA Thailand also offers 24/7 local support during your stay in Thailand.

You can buy your Thailand Travel insurance today at:

https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal

List of approved covid-19 vaccines.

As of December 1, the MoPH has approved the following vaccines:

• Pfizer–BioNTech or Comirnaty
• Janssen or Janssen/Ad26.COV2.S
• AstraZeneca or Covishield
• Sinopharm or COVILO
• CoronaVac or SinoVac
• Sputnik Lite

How to Obtain Travel Insurance

Though COVID-19 insurance is no longer mandatory for entry to Thailand, it is recommended to have comprehensive Travel insurance for the duration of your stay. Good travel insurance covers not only medical expenses relating to Covid but also accident cover, personal damage, loss of possessions, and missed or delayed flights.

It is best to purchase insurance before you travel. The easiest way to buy your policy is online through a reputable insurance provider. The insurance company will provide you with the all-important certificate of cover that you can present to authorities or medical professionals if you need to make a claim.

You may also be asked to present this certificate to the airline before they will allow you to onboard. It’s quick and easy to do online. You can choose your length of policy from 7, 15, 30, 60 days, and 180 days. Just make sure that the policy covers your entire period of stay in Thailand as foreigners are not eligible for free medical care in Thailand and insurance companies will not cover claims for existing conditions.

You may purchase AXA COVID-19 travel insurance within a few minutes. Check them below.

You can buy budget insurance here: https://www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance

How to Open a Bank Account in Thailand

Siam Legal offers and provides aid for a smooth and hassle-free way to open up a Thai bank account.

• You will receive help in opening a savings/current bank account
• You will receive a Bankbook and a debit/ATM card
• Online Banking (Thai mobile number is required)

Requirements

• Guarantee letter (to be provided by Siam Legal)
• The applicant may book our service online.
• Our staff will prepare the application and necessary documents for the bank and arrange an appointment with the applicant.
• The applicant will collect the application form and documents from the Siam Legal Bangkok office and proceed to the specific bank branch. Opening the account at the bank takes 1 to 2 hours.

Service Fee

Our service fee is 150 USD for opening a Thai savings account in Bangkok.

City Travel Guide

• How to Travel to Bangkok
• How to Travel to Phuket
• How to Travel to Pattaya
• How to Travel to Chiang Mai
• How to Travel to Samui
• How to Travel to Hua Hin

Useful Links

• Best COVID-19 Insurance for Foreigners  
• Thailand Elite Visa – long term visa option for Thailand
• How to Travel to Thailand in 2022 – Your Ultimate Guide

Related Posts

How to Travel to Thailand in 2024

Best Places to Retire in Thailand for Couples

How to Retire in Thailand for Couples

Thailand Travel Restrictions 2023

List of the 131 countries where 100% of pandemic travel restrictions have been lifted

• Post author: Andrew D'Amours
• Post published: November 2, 2022
• Post category: Travel tips / Trip planning tips
• Post comments: 17 Comments

Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have recommended eliminating all travel restrictions and requirements for nearly a year now (including vaccination requirements). Many countries around the world actually did follow the experts’ recommendations quickly, and not just when it suits them like Canada.

Of course, for vaccinated travelers, there are 190+ countries open with no test requirement , so that’s a lot of countries where travel is pretty much back to normal for most people.

Here are the entry rules for the 211 countries/territories Canadians can travel to

(That guide to every country’s entry rules will continue to be updated regularly, sign up for free to get all updates, as well as many travel tips and deals !)

But we think it’s worth highlighting the countries that follow what the experts say and who are now over this: the 131  countries that have lifted all travel restrictions and requirements related to COVID-19 for all  travelers.

No test, no form; nothing. For everyone.

Maybe they deserve your travel dollars if you’re interested in encouraging them! Or maybe they should be avoided if you’re irrationally scared of people who are not vaccinated, as seems to be the case for many people in Canada, sadly.

Entry restrictions and requirements

As you know if you’ve read our summary of how to travel during the pandemic or our guide to the entry rules of each country , it’s very easy to know the rules of any country: they’re all on the same website .

And there’s nothing more beautiful to see than this message on that database.

If you choose one of these 131  countries, travel is entirely back to how it was before the pandemic !

Since October 1st, Canada joined the list, making your entry into Canada upon return from your trip simple too: there are no pandemic rules left at all!

Map of the 131  countries without any restrictions

So here’s the map of countries that have lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions and requirements, and the zoomed-in maps for each region too.

America 

List of the 131  countries without any restrictions

And here’s the complete list of those same countries.

(With the date everything was lifted there according to IATA, which doesn’t really seem accurate — we went to El Salvador in January specifically because they had already removed everything and we wanted to encourage them but IATA says February for El Salvador — but what matters is not the date, it’s that today all restrictions are gone in all these countries!)

• Mexico (January 4, 2022)
• El Salvador (February 24, 2022)
• Iceland (February 25, 2022)
• Norway (March 2, 2022)
• Ireland (March 6, 2022)
• Hungary (March 7, 2022)
• Montenegro (March 11, 2022)
• Romania (March 13, 2022)
• Bahrain (March 15, 2022)
• Gabon (March 17, 2022)
• Yemen (March 17, 2022)
• United Kingdom (March 17, 2022)
• Poland (March 28, 2022)
• Gibraltar (March 30, 2022)
• Costa Rica (March 31, 2022)
• Latvia (March 31, 2022)
• Sweden (April 1, 2022)
• Grenada (April 4, 2022)
• Czechia (April 9, 2022)
• Jamaica (April 16, 2022)
• North Macedonia (April 21, 2022)
• Slovenia (April 25, 2022)
• Albania (May 1, 2022)
• Bulgaria (May 1, 2022)
• Croatia (May 1, 2022)
• Greece (May 1, 2022)
• Kosovo (May 1, 2022)
• Kuwait (May 1, 2022)
• Kyrgyzstan (May 1, 2022)
• Liechtenstein (May 1, 2022)
• Lithuania (May 1, 2022)
• Switzerland (May 1, 2022)
• Moldova (May 3, 2022)
• Serbia (May 3, 2022)
• Congo (May 5, 2022)
• Falkland Islands (May 5, 2022)
• Afghanistan (May 10, 2022)
• Vietnam (May 15, 2022)
• Austria (May 16, 2022)
• Oman (May 22, 2022)
• Belgium (May 23, 2022)
• Denmark (May 24, 2022)
• Faroe Islands (May 24, 2022)
• Greenland (May 24, 2022)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (May 27, 2022)
• Belarus (May 28, 2022)
• Bonaire (June 1, 2022)
• Cyprus (June 1, 2022)
• Italy* (June 1, 2022)
• Turkey (June 1, 2022)
• Curaçao (June 5, 2022)
• Kazakhstan (June 8, 2022)
• Uzbekistan (June 10, 2022)
• Georgia (June 15, 2022)
• Estonia (June 16, 2022)
• Benin (June 16, 2022)
• Egypt (June 17, 2022)
• United States Virgin Islands (June 28, 2022)
• Trinidad & Tobago (July 1, 2022)
• Finland (July 1, 2022)
• South Africa (July 4, 2022)
• Portugal (July 5, 2022)
• Australia (July 6, 2022)
• Slovakia (July 13, 2022)
• Malta (July 25, 2022)
• Armenia (July 27, 2022)
• The British Virgin Islands (July 27, 2022)
• Guadeloupe (August 1, 2022)
• French Guiana (August 1, 2022)
• French Polynesia (August 1, 2022)
• France (August 1, 2022)
• Mayotte (August 1, 2022)
• Monaco (August 1, 2022)
• New Caledonia (August 1, 2022)
• Rwanda (August 1, 2022)
• Malaysia (August 2, 2022)
• Réunion (August 2, 2022)
• Sudan  (August 2, 2022)
• Madagascar (August 11, 2022)
• Guatemala (August 15, 2022)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis (August 16, 2022)
• Cayman Islands (August 24, 2022)
• Argentina (August 26, 2022)
• Antigua & Barbuda (August 29, 2022)
• Namibia (August 29, 2022)
• Dominica (August 31, 2022)
• Guam (September 1, 2022)
• Lesotho (September 6, 2022)
• Cook Islands (September 12, 2022)
• Vanuatu (September 12, 2022)
• Cape Verde (September 15, 2022)
• Panama (September 15, 2022)
• Dominican Republic (September 16, 2022)
• Netherlands (September 18, 2022)
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (September 20, 2022)
• Bhutan (September 22, 2022)
• The Bahamas (September 22, 2022)
• Barbados (September 23, 2022) 
• Lebanon (September 28, 2022)
• Botswana (September 30, 2022)
• Canada* (October 1, 2022)
• Luxembourg (October 1, 2022)
• Thailand (October 1, 2022)
• Anguila (October 4, 2022)
• Samoa (October 4, 2022)
• Cambodia (October 6, 2022)
• Papua New Guinea (October 6, 2022)
• Guyana (October 7, 2022)
• Ecuador (October 20, 2022)
• Ethiopia (October 20, 2022)
• Belize (October 21, 2022)
• Spain* (October 21, 2022)
• Montserrat (October 24, 2022)
• Paraguay (October 26, 2022)
• Peru (October 31, 2022)
• Algeria (November 1, 2022)
• Qatar* (November 1, 2022)
• Sint Maarten (November 1, 2022)
• Saint Martin (November 1, 2022)
• Senegal (November 10, 2022)
• Eritrea (November 10, 2022)
• United Arab Emirates (November 10, 2022)
• Eswatini (November 17, 2022)
• Somalia (November 21, 2022)
• Iraq (December 1, 2022)
• Tunisia (December 2, 2022)
• Sri Lanka (December 8, 2022)
• Gambia (December 13, 2022)
• New Zealand (December 21, 2022)
• Laos (December 29, 2022)

*Restrictions only on flights from China but most Canadians can’t enter China

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Sign up for our free newsletter.

More and more countries are relaxing their travel rules, but did you know that there are already 131  countries that have no restrictions or requirements in place (no tests, no vaccinations, no forms, nothing)? That’s good to know if you want to prioritize them… or avoid them.

What would you like to know about countries without COVID-19 restrictions? Tell us in the comments below.

See the deals we spot: Cheap flights

Explore awesome destinations : Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks : Travel tips

Discover free travel: Travel rewards

Featured image: Parga, Greece (photo credit: Calin Stan)

Share this post to help us help more people travel more for less:

Andrew D'Amours

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This post has 17 comments.

Hi Andrew, Thanks for this site of yours, very helpful with important info for the unvaccinated traveller that’s been on hold for overseas travelling for too long. Im wanting to travel to Bali in May. Im getting a medical exemption thru Aust government to get into Bali. I have been told by travellers that it has been accepted getting through customs. I can only trust. I want to travel onto Thailand then onto Brazil to stop off at Foz Do Iguacu International Airport to see Iguazu Waterfalls. Have a look around then make my way to Peru , then onto panama , costa ric , elsavado , Guatemal Belize and Mexico . I dont want to fly into America. Whats yr advise for a 67yr young intrepid traveller thats unjabbed as we call it wanting to go to those countries without vax papers . I will be insured and will be taking all natural remedies plus ivamectum, hydroxchloroquine etc for health support. Tell me the pros and cons from yr m to show me the way safely perspective. I will be travelling with God the great spirit and my spiritual support family team. Surrendering to them in keeping me safe, supported and guide me on my adventure. Whats your feeling Andrew?

Hi, I certainly won’t give any medical advice because that’s not my area of expertise (and frankly, as a healthy not-overweight person in my early 30s, I stopped caring about COVID-19 a very long time ago, so I do not take any more precautions than I did before this pandemic). Your doctor can give you advice for your own health situation and hopefully put the risk into context too, which a lot of people are clearly very terrible at doing (as we saw for the past 3 years now).

In terms of travel, the pros are obvious: travel is amazing. That trip sounds amazing. In terms of the rules, the con is that one thing is for sure: the more countries you want to visit, the more time you’ll need to put in to look at the rules. Some countries still have vaccination requirements so there’s no way around it. Take the time to look at each country’s rules closely. For example, I was looking into going to Bali myself and I know they do require vaccination, but I haven’t looked into the exceptions and workarounds. You’ll have to do that for every country, unless you simply stick to all the countries that have removed all rules. That is more than doable, given there are so many countries that are over all this.

Thank you for this list and for supporting people who didnt cuck to tyranny. As an unvaccinated Canadian who has lost almost everything in the last 2 years (2021 when the vaccine tyranny began) Thank you. F*ck Trudeau and every MP who voted for these evil evil measures.

Hi, it’s our pleasure to keep all travelers informed!

Il semble qu’il n’y plus aucune restrictions pour entrer en Allemagne depuis le 11 juin 2022

Pas pour tous les voyageurs, c’était le seul critère de cette liste-ci. On est en train d’évaluer si on devrait enlever le Canada et les autres qui ont ajouté des règles spéciales pour la Chine récemment.

New Zealand also is open to all https://covid19.govt.nz/international-travel/travel-to-new-zealand-by-air/

Nope, unfortunately they still have some rules on the only official rules database that matters so they do not qualify to be on this list yet.

As per “Spain Travel Health” website: “As of Tuesday, 20 September 2022, the Spain Travel Health (SpTH) portal, both the website and the mobile applications (APPs), will no longer be operational. It will no longer be necessary to complete the health control form to travel to Spain nor to show the SpTH QR code at the airport of arrival.”

Andrew, I would like to confirm if Spain now fits the criteria for this list. Is a PCR test still required in absence of vaccination proof, or is that removed altogether with the health form requirement? Thanks!

According to the official rules, there are still requirements unfortunately. There’s only one website that is reliable, the official source . It says vaccination is still required, or a PCR. Updated 9/20. So I would assume it’s still required until that website changes.

Can you share with us why you think Canada and the United States are still holding on to these travel restrictions. What is their reasoning? Thank you

It’s clearly not science, because if so the definition of vaccination would not be 2 doses from a year and a half ago. So it’s political science. As soon as politicians will believe they will score more political points by removing the useless restrictions than by keeping them to “punish” the evil anti-vaxxers, they will remove the useless restrictions.

Any update on when the US border might open to the unvaxed non nationals?

Hi, it seemed like they would change if they had any interest in being even remotely logical, but clearly, their science is even worse than expected. So hard to tell if it will change soon. They say the pandemic’s over, they say having separate rules for the unvaccinated makes no sense… and so naturally, they have pandemic rules for the unvaccinated only. It’s all just as rational as it’s been all along, basically :S

Hi, Yes, I want to know which countries are sanitary restriction free. Thanks for sharing this hard to find information all in one place. I’d rather travel to countries that don’t restrict your mobility and basic bodily functions.

AFAIK the Dominican republic is fully open since a long time as well.

Not according to the official source at least. It says filling out a form is still required.

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Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? A Country-by-country Guide

From lounging on Caribbean beaches to sightseeing in Europe, travel is back for Americans.

For over two years travel was complicated and at times unsafe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the vaccine and various boosters have transformed how the virus affects travel much of the world is back open.

Most countries have zero to few restrictions for U.S. travelers, especially those who have been vaccinated.

So after years of dreaming about travel, it is time to get back out there once again. Here is what you need to know.

Albania does not require U.S. travelers to show any COVID-19-related documents or tests,  according to the U.S. Embassy in Albania .

As of Oct. 1, there are no entry requirements to Anguilla,  according to the U.S. Embassy

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda have removed all preexisting COVID-19 entry requirements,  according to the government.  However, any passenger displaying symptoms may be isolated by the government.

There are no COVID-19 related entry requirements for entry into Argentina, according to the Consulate General and Promotion Center.

Travelers may enter Armenia without proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, according to the Government of Armenia.

Australia has removed all preexisting COVID-19 entry requirements, according to the Department of Health for the Commonwealth.

Aruba has waived all preexisting COVID-19 entry level requirements, however, travel insurance is highly recommended,  according to the country's tourism site.

Non-U.S. citizens must show proof of vaccination, and there are no entry requirements for U.S. citizens  according to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas.

Barbados has discontinued all COVID-19 entry requirements  the tourism board announced in September.

Barbados is also welcoming visitors  to move to the island for a year  for the ultimate remote work experience.

There are no COVID-19 entry requirements to enter Bahrain according to the U.S. Embassy.

The Belize tourism board has removed all COVID-19 entry requirements.

Fully vaccinated travelers by air or by cruise to Bermuda will be required to show proof of vaccination, and must upload proof prior to travel. Unvaccinated travelers must upload proof of valid travel insurance to enter,  according to the government.

All travelers aged 2 and up  must have Travel Authorization  and will be required to pay $40 for the application.

Travelers to Bolivia will need to provide proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before embarkation, or a negative rapid test taken 48 hours before embarkation, according to the U.S. Embassy.

There are no COVID-19 entry requirements for the Caribbean Netherlands  according to the UK Government.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes U.S. travelers without any COVID-19-related travel restrictions,  according to the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina .

There are currently no COVID-19 entry requirements for U.S. citizens, according to the U.S. Embassy in Botswana.

Travelers to Brazil must present proof of vaccination printed or available electronically in either Portugese, English, or Spanish or proof of a negative COVID-19 test or antigen test taken one day prior to boarding, according to tourism site Visit Brazil .

Cambodia welcomes both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers without the need to get tested before coming,  according to the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia . The country has also reopened its visa on arrival program.

Unvaccinated travelers must undergo a rapid antigen test upon arrival,  according to the government  and costs $5 USD.

Canada has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions for entry, according to the Canadian Government.

Visitors to Chile must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken a maximum of 48 hours and in their last destination before their departure to Chile, according to the U.S. Embassy in Chile.

Travelers to Colombia must present proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID test, either taken 72 hours before arrival for a PCR test, or 48 hours before arrival for a rapid, according to the U.S. Embassy in Colombia.

All COVID-19 entry requirements to Costa Rica have been repealed, according to tourism site Visit Costa Rica.

Croatia welcomes U.S. travelers without any COVID-19-related travel restrictions,  according to the Croatian National Tourist Board .

There are no COVID-19 entry restrictions to visit,  according to the Curaçao tourism board .

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has eliminated all COVID-19-related entry restrictions,  according to the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic .

Democratic Republic Of The Congo

The Democratic Republic of The Congo requires non vaccinated travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. Unvaccinated travelers over 11 must also present a negative test taken within 3 days of departure and pay $30, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Denmark eliminated all of its COVID-19 entry and internal restrictions,  according to the government’s COVID-19 website .

There are currently no COVID-19 entry requirements to enter Djibouti according to the U.S. Embassy.

Dominica has removed all pre-arrival testing along with testing on arrival for symptomatic passengers,  according to the tourism board.

Dominican Republic

The Dominical Republic has removed all COVID-19 entry requirements, however, when required random testing may occur and passengers may present proof of vaccination to be exempt,  according to GoDominicanRepublic.com

Ecuador has eliminated COVID-19 entry requirements, according to the U.S. Embassy.

There are currently no COVID-19 entry restrictions for U.S. travelers to Egypt, according to the U.S. Embassy.

El Salvador

El Salvador has removed all COVID-19 entry requirements for U.S. citizens according to the embassy.

Finland has lifted all COVID-19-related entry rules,  according to the Finnish government .

France has lifted all pandemic-related entry rules,  according to the French government .

French Polynesia

There are no more entry requirements for French Polynesia, according to Tahiti Tourism.

There are no longer any COVID-19-related entry rules for travel to Germany,  according to the German Missions in the United States .

All travelers (non-residents) to Ghana aged 18 and older must be vaccinated, according to the Ghanaian Embassy in D.C.

Greece has lifted all pandemic-era travel rules,  according to the government . Greece has an optional Passenger Locator Form travelers can choose to fill out.

There are no covid entry requirements for tourists visiting Grenada,  according to PureGrenada.com

There are no COVID-19 entry requirements for travelers to Guatemala, according to the U.S. Embassy.

All passengers 12 and older are required to present proof of vaccination or a negative PCR taken at most 72 hours before departure. Passengers aged 5-11 are required to present a negative PCR test, and passengers under 5 are exempt,  according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

For additional precautions, please see  the U.S. State Department's Advisory .

Honduras requires travelers to enter with a vaccination card, or a negative COVID-19 test taken maximum 72 hours in advance, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Iceland  welcomes travelers  without any pandemic-era entry rules in place,  according to Iceland’s COVID-19 website .

Ireland has  removed all COVID-19-related entry rules  for travel,  according to the government .

Currently, there are no entry protocols for international travelers to Israel, according to the ministry of Health. However, the ministry notes that the ministry has the authority to change the standards and that the best way to find out information is to check the current list of requirements prior to travel.

Italy has  lifted  all COVID-19-related travel rules,  according to the country's National Tourist Board .

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Jamaica has ended all COVID-19 entry requirements,  according to the U.S. Embassy.

All travelers to Kenya will be required to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Travelers entering Kosovo are not required to show proof of vaccination,  according to the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo , but the embassy recommends travelers bring such proof. The country also doesn’t require pre-arrival testing, but the embassy said some airlines may.

According to the only source of updated information for U.S. travelers Lebanon has removed all COVID-19 entry restrictions, as per Middle Eastern Airlines.

All travelers aged 18 and older must show proof of vaccination, according to the U.S. Embassy.

The Maldives welcomes travelers from all over the world, including the U.S., and  does not require visitors to get tested  before coming,  according to the government . All arriving and departing passengers must complete a  Traveler Declaration form  within 96 hours of their flight.

Malta has eliminated all pandemic-related travel restrictions,  according to the Malta Tourism Authority .

Mexico has removed all COVID-19 entry requirements, according to the local government of Mexico.

Montenegro does not have any COVID-19-related entry rules in place,  according to the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro . Face masks are required on public transportation,  according to the country’s government .

Morocco has dropped all COVID-19 entry requirements except for the Public Health Passenger Form , according to the U.S. Embassy.

There are no COVID-19 entry requirements for U.S. citizens, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Nepal welcomes travelers and offers visas on arrival, regardless of vaccination status,  according to the U.S. Embassy in Nepal . Arriving travelers must show proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or NAAT test taken within 72 hours of their departure.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has lifted COVID-19-related entry rules,  according to the government .

Travelers to Nicaragua must be vaccinated or present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, according to U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia is open to American travelers who are not required to undergo any COVID-related entry requirements,  according to the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia .

Norway has discontinued all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, including pre-arrival testing,  according to the government . 

Pakistan has reopened to travelers, and only unvaccinated travelers will need a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of pre-boarding, according to the Government of Pakistan.

Panama has rolled back all COVID-19 entry requirements for U.S. travelers, according to the embassy.

There are no COVID-19 entry requirements for American travelers, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira, no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter,  according to Visit Portugal .

There are currently no COVID-19 entry requirements for travelers, according to the Qatar Ministry of Public Health.

There are currently no COVID-19 entry requirements for U.S. citizens according to the U.S. Embassy.

Singapore welcomes all travelers, regardless of their vaccination status,  according to the Singapore Tourism Board . Vaccinated travelers (and unvaccinated children under 12) are exempt from all pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests, quarantine, and entry approvals.

Unvaccinated visitors 12 and older must arrive with proof of a PCR or rapid antigen test taken within two days of their departure and have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 with at least $30,000 of medical coverage.

Travelers must download the TraceTogether app. Three days before their departure, travelers must submit an SG Arrival Card and e-health declaration through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.

Spain has  dropped  all COVID-19-related health controls at entry points,  according to the government , becoming one of the last European countries to do so.

However, the country still asks that travelers from outside the European Union travel with either proof of vaccination administered within 270 days, proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, proof of a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure, or proof they contracted COVID-19 and recovered within 180 days.

All COVID-19 entry restrictions have been lifted,  according to the U.S. Embassy.

St. Kitts and Nevis

All visitors regardless of vaccination are permitted to enter St. Kitts and Nevis,  according to the Tourism Authority.

All COVID-19 restrictions have been removed,  according to the St. Lucia tourism authority.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

All COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, according to the  Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Environment.

Sint Maarten

Travelers to Sint Maarten are no longer required to provide travel insurance or test upon arrival if unvaccinated, the electronic health authorization requirement has also been removed.

Travelers are welcome in Senegal and only the unvaccinated are required to test upon entry, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Serbia has removed all COVID-19 entry requirements, according to the Government.

Vaccinated travelers are welcome to enter Seychelles, and there is no pre-departure testing in place. All travelers will be required to fill out a Health Travel Authorization before arrival, according to the U.S. Embassy.

South Africa

Everyone is welcome to enter South Africa regardless of vaccination status, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Sri Lanka allows fully vaccinated travelers to enter the country quarantine-free and without any pre-arrival testing,  according to the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka . 

Unvaccinated travelers can also be exempt from quarantine, but must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their trip or a negative rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours of their trip,  according to the tourism site . Children under 12 are exempt from testing.

Switzerland

Switzerland has lifted all COVID-19-related entry rules,  according to the Federal Office of Public Health .

Tanzania has reopened its borders for all travelers. Vaccinated travelers may enter without any testing while unvaccinated travelers must take a PCR test 72 hours before departure the U.S. Embassy states.

Thailand has  eliminated all pandemic-related entry requirements , welcoming all international travelers, including from the U.S.,  according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand . Travelers no longer need to show proof of vaccination or proof of any testing to enter.

Turkey is open to foreign travelers and does not have any COVID-19-related entry rules in place,  according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey .

Turks and Caicos

There are no COVID-19 entry requirements for Turks and Caicos,  according to the government.

United Arab Emirates

Passengers entering through Dubai are no longer required to show proof of vaccination or negative test according to Emirates.

All travelers are required to show proof of vaccination upon entry (boosters are not required) Travelers without vaccination are required to present proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of travel, according to the U.S. Embassy.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has  dropped  all COVID-19-related entry rules,  according to the government .

Travelers to Zambia will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours, vaccinated travelers are exempt, according to the U.S. Embassy in Zambia.

Vaccinated travelers may enter Zimbabwe without any prior testing, unvaccinated travelers will be required to provide a COVID-19 test to enter, according to the U.S. Embassy .

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.

Updated: A country-by-country guide to coronavirus reopenings

Almost three years after the COVID-19 pandemic first upended international travel, many countries have finally returned to pre-pandemic entry requirements by removing vaccination and testing mandates; others have made the process less of a hassle by easing restrictions. Even some of the most restrictive nations are finally open to tourists again. For instance, Japan, announced on Sept. 22 that it would allow visa-free travel there as of Oct. 11. Meanwhile, Taiwan restored visa exemption for U.S passport holders on Sept. 12, and entry for Americans are now able to visit.

Still, a number of countries have restrictions in place, so knowing the rules before you travel internationally remains important.

Related: A country-by-country guide to where you can travel without a COVID-19 test

Reentering the U.S. has also gotten easier since the government on June 12 ended its requirement that all air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 antigen test the day before their flight. The U.S. continues to require that noncitizens and nonresidents be fully vaccinated to enter. For details, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website .

Warnings from the CDC and U.S. Department of State also continued to evolve, with the CDC in early October dropping its COVID-19 travel notices for individual countries.

To get all the up-to-date travel news at your fingertips, download the free TPG App .

TPG is here to guide you through the latest in these updated rules and regulations. To make sure you have the most current information, please follow the provided links to government, tourism, U.S. Embassy and U.S. State Department websites for the most recent updates.

North America

As of June 12, travelers arriving by air to the U.S. no longer need to present results of a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of their flight. However, all noncitizen and nonresident travelers need to show proof of full vaccination to enter the U.S.

Related: US dropping international COVID-19 testing requirement

The U.S., which reopened to fully vaccinated international travelers on Nov. 8, 2021, still requires all arriving air passengers to provide contact tracing information to their airline. Current details on requirements for entering the U.S.can be found on the CDC's website .

All U.S. states are open and proof-of-vaccination requirements for many indoor activities in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and other cities have ended.

On March 26, Hawaii ended restrictions for domestic travelers, but international arrivals are still subject to the U.S. government's vaccination rules.

Related: Traveling to Hawaii just got a whole lot easier

Masks are no longer required in public spaces. On April 18, a federal judge vacated the executive order President Joe Biden signed soon after taking office in late January 2021 that mandated the wearing of masks on federal property and domestic public transportation , including planes, buses, subways, trains, airports and train stations. Mask-wearing is optional in airports, on airplanes and on certain other public transportation. New York in early September changed its own public transportation mask mandate on subways, buses and shared rides to recommended from required.

The CDC has updated its domestic travel guidance for fully vaccinated travelers, but still strongly advises unvaccinated individuals to test before and after travel within the U.S. Check the CDC website for the latest updates.

Long-standing U.S. restrictions on visitors , including a ban on tourists driving into the country from Canada and Mexico, were lifted on Nov. 8, 2021, but only for fully vaccinated travelers (at least 14 days past their final dose). The vaccination requirement does not include children under the age of 18.

As of Oct. 1, all COVID-19-related entry restrictions for all international visitors to Canada have been eased. Proof of vaccination is no longer required and the electronic ArriveCAN form has been discontinued.

Canada had previously ended its pre-travel testing requirements on April 1 and the rule, in effect since Nov. 30, 2021, that all passengers age 12 and older traveling domestically in Canada by air or by rail need to be fully vaccinated was suspended on June 20.

Find the latest updates here .

Quebec requires anyone seeking to buy alcohol or cannabis at a province-run store to be fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated Canadians are again able to enter the U.S. via a land crossing at the border as of Nov. 8, 2021.

For more information and updates, visit the U.S. Embassy in Canada website .

The U.S. Department of State's travel advisory for Canada is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

Mexico has never required testing for entry and has lifted most coronavirus restrictions.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico , travelers entering Mexico via land may be subject to health screenings, including temperature checks. Travelers may experience significant delays and face the possibility of being returned to the U.S. or quarantined in Mexico.

An increase in crime against tourists in Cancun and Riviera Maya made the U.S. Consulate General in Merida issue a security alert for Americans traveling in the region in January 2022. Crime in many regions of Mexico is high. The U.S. consulate classifies Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas as "Do Not Travel" states.

The U.S.-Mexico land border reopened on Nov. 8, 2021, and fully vaccinated travelers are once again allowed to enter the U.S. from Mexico by land. Proof of vaccination is not required for U.S. citizens, but international travelers are required to be vaccinated.

The State Department's advisory for Mexico is now broken down state by state due to threats of crime and kidnapping .

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico , an unincorporated territory of the U.S., is open to all international travelers, although non- U.S. citizens or permanent residents must present proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

As of March 10, all domestic travelers (U.S. citizens and residents), both vaccinated and unvaccinated, no longer need to provide proof of a negative pre-travel COVID-19 test result to enter Puerto Rico.

International visitors must be fully vaccinated. However, the U.S. rule that required all those arriving by air to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken one day before entry ended on June 12.

All capacity restrictions have also ended. Masks are no longer required in indoor public places, but are recommended on public transportation and when vaccination status cannot be guaranteed. Masks are now optional (as of Oct. 1) at events with more than 1,000 people and attendees are no longer required to provide updated proof of vaccination.

For the latest updates, check here .

Related: Your points and miles guide to Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands , which includes St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, has been open to tourism since Sept. 19, 2020. As of June 1 , all travelers, whether fully vaccinated or not, no longer need to provide proof of a pre-travel negative test to enter (the test requirement had been dropped for vaccinated domestic travelers as of March 7).

International travelers must still adhere to the U.S. entry requirement that they be fully vaccinated to visit the USVI. Details can be found here .

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda reopened to tourists on June 4, 2020, and the government's travel advisory as of Aug. 29 lifted all remaining COVID-19 protocols for entry by air and sea. Check for updates here .

Mask-wearing in certain public settings is recommended.

Per the U.S. Embassy for the Eastern Caribbean , the U.S. State Department's advisory for Antigua is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Anguilla is once again welcoming all international visitors with no COVID-19 entry restrictions in place. The island, which began welcoming preapproved travelers on May 25, 2021, as of Oct. 1 has dropped approval and pre-travel testing requirements for unvaccinated travelers; vaccinated travelers had already been allowed to enter without pre-travel testing since Aug. 8.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Anguilla is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees Anguilla, for additional information.

As of March 19, Aruba has relaxed its COVID-19 testing requirements and no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter. However, all visitors must still complete an online embarkation/disembarkation card process within 72 to four hours prior to travel. The questionnaire asks for identifying information, including passport details. The form also includes a section where visitors can input their travel plans and answer health questions. Travelers must also download the Aruba Health app as part of the ED card process. Find details here .

Aruba reopened to tourists in the summer of 2020 and American visitors were welcomed back on July 10, 2020. U.S. travelers to Aruba previously had to purchase visitors insurance to cover up to $75,000 in health insurance, but the requirement has been discontinued as of July 8.

Visitors must carry a mask with them and wear one in businesses that require them. As of Feb. 17, all other safety measures have been eased.

Visit the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao , which oversees Aruba, for additional information. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Aruba is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

For the latest updates related to travel, check Visit Aruba's entry requirements page.

The Bahamas is fully open and as of Sept. 20, all COVID-19 entry restrictions have been lifted, including the need to apply for a Bahamas Health Visa. Details can be found here .

Check the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas for additional info. The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Bahamas is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Barbados, which reopened to international travelers in July, 2020, as of Sept. 22 has ended all official COVID-19 entry protocols. Masks are also now optional. Find details here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Barbados is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions . Check the website of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados for additional information.

Bermuda , which reopened to travelers on July 1, 2020, has ended its pre-travel authorization and pre-travel negative test requirements and as of Nov. 14 visitors only need to fill out an electronic Bermuda Arrival Card , which was in place before the pandemic.

Complete details are available here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bermuda is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

More information on the coronavirus in Bermuda can be found here .

Americans are welcome to visit Bonaire. As of April 20, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result is no longer required for entry.

For the latest details, check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bonaire is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions . For more information, visit the website of the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao , which oversees Bonaire.

British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands officially reopened to tourism on Dec. 1, 2020, and as of July 15, 2022, visitors are no longer required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter, even if unvaccinated. Proof of health insurance valid in the British Virgin Islands is also no longer required.

Complete details on travel requirements and restrictions can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the British Virgin Islands is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions . Check the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees the British Virgin Islands, for additional information.

Cayman Islands

As of Aug. 24, there are no longer any COVID-19 protocols for all travelers, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, to enter the Cayman Islands and approval via the Cayman Travel Portal has been suspended. Details are here .

The Cayman Islands had been welcoming fully vaccinated tourists since it entered Phase 5 of its reopening on Jan. 20. Cruise tourism resumed on March 21.

Related: After a 2-year absence, cruise ships are returning to the Cayman Islands

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Cayman Islands is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Cuba began welcoming international tourists back Nov. 15, 2021 , and as of April 6, 2022, neither a negative COVID-19 test nor proof of full vaccination is required for entry. Tourists are not required to quarantine but should have medical insurance valid in Cuba and they need to complete a health declaration form prior to travel.

The U.S. State Department has a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory in place for Cuba. Politics limits Americans' travel to Cuba more than COVID-19. Long-standing travel restrictions were tightened by the U.S. government in late 2019, eliminating many of the reasons Americans were allowed to visit Cuba in recent years. For information on exemptions that allow Americans to travel to Cuba, visit the U.S. Embassy in Cuba's COVID-19 page and "Traveling to Cuba" page .

There are a number of additional restrictions for U.S. travelers visiting Cuba that are not related to the pandemic, and which remain active.

Curacao reopened to U.S. tourists in November 2020. All travelers are required to complete a digital immigration card before departure, but as of June 2, there are no other pre-travel testing requirements for all international visitors. Details are here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Curacao is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions . Visit the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao' s website for additional information.

Dominica has been open to travelers since Aug. 3, 2020, and as of Aug. 22, all COVID-19-related entry protocols have been dropped. Visitors no longer need to fill out a pre-travel questionnaire or present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Dominica is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

For more information, see the U.S. Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean 's website and Dominica's travel advisory .

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic reopened July 1, 2020 and all travelers are currently welcome to visit, with no pre-travel COVID-19 entry requirements.

Related: How to book a trip to the Dominican Republic using points and miles

As of April 23, travelers no longer need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to enter and random tests at the airport have ended. The use of masks and social distancing measures in public spaces is now up to the individual. Check for updates here .

All travelers must still fill out and submit an electronic entry ticket (for both arrival into and departure from the Dominican Republic) to declare they have not felt any COVID-19-related symptoms in the last 72 hours and provide contact details for the next 30 days.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the island is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Grenada began reopening to foreign tourists on Aug. 1, 2020, with strict protocols, including quarantine, in place for all visitors. But as of April 4, 2022, Grenada has removed all COVID-19-related entry requirements and restrictions for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Complete details can be found here .

For more information, check the U.S. Embassy in the Eastern Caribbean's COVID-19 page for Grenada . The U.S. State Department's advisory for Grenada is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Haiti — which suffered political and social turmoil following the assassination of its president, Jovenel Moise, on July 7, 2021, as well as a 7.2 magnitude earthquake two weeks later — has reopened its borders to regular international passenger traffic. It has also opened its land borders with the Dominican Republic.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Haiti , as of April 18, all travelers to Haiti age 12 and older will need to present either a vaccination card proving full vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of travel to their airline; proof of prior COVID-19 infection (a positive test and documentation from the attending physician) is also allowed. Passengers ages 5-11 must only present a negative test result.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Haiti is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Jamaica officially reopened for tourism on June 15, 2020, and as of April 16, 2022, passengers no longer need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test to board their flight to Jamaica.

For faster processing upon arrival at the airport, travelers are encouraged to submit their Immigration/Customs C5 card online anytime before arrival. If the card has not been submitted online, passengers may complete the paper form issued in flight by the airline.

Visit the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica's website for additional information. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Jamaica is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Americans can visit Martinique for tourism — and as of Aug. 1 there are no COVID-19-related entry requirements for any traveler, according to the U.S. Embassy for the Eastern Caribbean .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Martinique is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Americans can visit St. Barts for tourism — and as of Aug. 1 there are no COVID-19-related entry requirements for any traveler, according to the U.S. Embassy for the Eastern Caribbean .

Check here for additional information about traveling to the island.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Barts is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

St. Kitts and Nevis

As of Aug. 15, all travelers are allowed to enter St. Kitts and Nevis without any COVID-19-related restrictions. The only pre-travel requirement is an immigration and customs form .

Details can be found here .

Americans can now stay anywhere on the island, where options include the Park Hyatt St. Kitts , the Four Seasons Nevis and the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Kitts and Nevis is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of Sept. 5, St. Lucia has dropped all previous COVID-19-related entry protocols for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers; although, all visitors must complete and have a printed and signed copy of the St. Lucia Health Screening form .

Immediate access to all on-island activities is now available to both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. Unvaccinated travelers had previously been required to vacation in place at certified properties for the first seven days of their visit.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Lucia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

For further details, visit the international arrivals page on the St. Lucia Tourism website and the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean's website .

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines began reopening on July 1, 2020 and as of Sept. 18, all COVID-19-related entry protocols have been lifted. Details are here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Vincent and the Grenadines is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Check the website of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and Discover St. Vincent and the Grenadines for updates.

St. Maarten

Dutch St. Maarten ended all COVID-19-related entry requirements as of Nov. 1 and is welcoming U.S. and other travelers arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) without the need for proof of vaccination, testing or electronic authorization. Details are here.

Tourists can also cross the border from Dutch St. Maarten to French Saint-Martin .

The U.S. State Department advisory is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions for both Dutch St. Maarten and French Saint-Martin.

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago issued a stay-at-home order in late March 2020 and banned tourists. The country's borders reopened on July 17, 2021, and as of July 1, 2022, pre-travel testing is no longer required for entry.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Trinidad and Tobago is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Check the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad & Tobago website for updates.

Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos, a group of 40 low-lying coral islands popular with tourists in the Caribbean, began welcoming international visitors to Providenciales International Airport (PLS) on July 22, 2020. This British overseas territory includes the island of Providenciales, also known as Provo.

Turks and Caicos currently requires all visitors 18 years of age or older to be fully vaccinated, meaning 14 days must have passed after receiving a single-dose vaccine or a second dose of a two-dose vaccine. Vaccines currently approved are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and others.

To show proof of vaccination, you'll need to provide a digital or paper vaccination record, including the CDC-issued card, or a vaccination letter signed by a medical professional (physician or registered nurse with license number) or one printed from an electronic vaccination database.

Related: Turks and Caicos to require vaccination

As of May 1, travelers to Turks and Caicos are no longer required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 pre-travel test, show proof of medical insurance valid for the treatment of COVID-19 in Turks and Caicos or obtain travel pre-authorization. Masks are no longer required in public places.

For the latest information, visit the Turks and Caicos tourism website and check the website of the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas , which oversees Turks and Caicos.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Turks and Caicos is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Related: Why I love Turks and Caicos

Europe continues to experience COVID-19 waves, although almost all countries have relaxed COVID-19-related entry restrictions and dropped vaccination or testing requirements to access indoor spaces such as restaurants, hotels and museums. The European Council recommended in late February 2022 that its member countries open more broadly to travelers from outside the European Union; by late October, when Spain finally ended its entry requirements, most countries had dropped all COVID-19-related entry requirements for travelers.

The Albanian government reopened for tourism on July 1, 2020, and Americans can visit, according to the U.S. Embassy in Albania .

Effective May 1, 2022, Albania repealed all COVID-19-related entry and public health measures, per the U.S. Embassy.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Albania is now Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Armenia is open to Americans, according to the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan . As of early May, the country no longer requires proof of vaccination or a pre-travel negative test to enter the country.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Armenia is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

As of May 16, Austria no longer requires visitors from any country to be vaccinated, recovered or tested.

Information can be found here .

As of June 1, FFP2 or KN95 face masks are no longer required on public transportation and in essential shops and pharmacies — but in Vienna, they remain compulsory on public transportation and in pharmacies. For details on current restrictions, check here .

Check the U.S. Embassy in Austria for additional information. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Austria is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan , as of June 21, 2021, U.S. citizens can fly to Azerbaijan. Entry by land is not permitted, however, and all travelers over the age of 18 must have proof of vaccination or proof of immunity from a previous infection (the testing requirement was eliminated as of April 14, 2022).

The country is under special restrictions through at least Jan. 1, 2023, to require proof of vaccination for those 18 and older to enter indoor venues, including restaurants, cafes and malls. Masks, however, are no longer required as of May 1.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Azerbaijan is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Belarus is on the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war. The country has also been in the midst of a popular uprising against Alexander Lukashenko, called the "last dictator in Europe."

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the country is Level 4: Do Not Travel ("due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, the Russian military attack on neighboring Ukraine, and the buildup of Russian military in Belarus along the border with Ukraine").

It isn't wise to visit — the embassy has suspended operations in Minsk and has asked Americans to depart Belarus if they are there — but the country bordering Russia and Ukraine is open. According to the U.S. Embassy in Belarus , America is on a list of countries that were allowed to enter as of Aug. 15, 2020, but only through Minsk National Airport (MSQ). Land borders are closed to American travelers.

Americans require a visa. A COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours is also required and unvaccinated travelers must self-quarantine for seven days — and complete the full quarantine in Belarus. Travelers also need to fill out a health questionnaire and submit to temperature and health checks on arrival.

Note: On June 29, 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation prohibited the sale of direct passenger air transportation, including tickets booked through one airline that contain flights operated by multiple airlines, between the U.S. and Belarus. Once this order becomes final, only direct air transportation deemed to be in the national interest of the U.S., including on humanitarian or national security grounds, will be allowed, per the U.S. Embassy.

As of May 23, Belgium has lifted entry restrictions for all travelers, except those from "Very High-Risk" countries — but as of early December, no countries are categorized as such.

That means all Americans, whether they are vaccinated or not, can travel to Belgium without the need to test or quarantine, according to the Embassy and Consulates of Belgium in the U.S .

Further information can be found here and on the U.S. Embassy in Belgium's website .

Belgium had also instituted social distancing restrictions, which are being reduced. For more information, check the country's current measures .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Belgium is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Americans can travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina and, according to the U.S. Embassy , as of May 16 all COVID-19-related restrictions have been removed for all visitors.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bosnia and Herzegovina is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Americans can enter Bulgaria for tourism, per the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria .

According to the embassy, as of May 1, all COVID-19-related entry restrictions have been lifted and all travelers to Bulgaria no longer need to provide vaccination or testing documents.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bulgaria is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

U.S. travelers can visit Croatia — and as of early May, there are no longer any vaccination or testing requirements for entry, per the U.S. Embassy in Croatia .

The U.S. Embassy does note that entry requirements are subject to change at any time without notice and that the Croatian Border Police have final authority regarding entry into Croatia.

Croatia no longer requires that masks be worn in indoor public spaces, with the exception of health care facilities.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Croatia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Cyprus, a small island nation off the coast of Turkey, is now open to all international visitors and all previous COVID-19-related entry protocols ended on June 1.

As of July 8 , masks are required in certain indoor areas, including public transportation, for those over 12 years old.

Check the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus for additional information.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Cyprus is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Czech Republic

As of April 9, the Czech Republic has suspended all entry restrictions related to COVID-19. This means Americans can visit for tourism, whether they are vaccinated or not. Details can be found here and here . You can also check the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic website .

Direct flights between the U.S. and the Czech Republic resumed this summer on Delta Air Lines.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Czech Republic is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of March 29, there are no longer any COVID-19-related restrictions for entering Denmark . Americans, whether they are vaccinated or not, can travel there for tourism.

Denmark also dropped all COVID-19-related restrictions within the country as of Feb. 1, although private businesses and cultural institutions may continue to require certain things and there will be recommendations for the use of masks and "corona passports" in certain limited situations. Face masks are no longer required in Danish airports.

Updates to travel restrictions for Denmark can be found here . You can also visit the U.S. Embassy in Denmark for additional information.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Denmark is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Estonia reopened to Americans as of June 21, 2021, according to the U.S. Embassy in Estonia, including for tourism. As of early July 2022, Estonia has lifted all COVID-19-related entry restrictions. See details here .

Masks are recommended in indoor public spaces.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Estonia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Americans can visit Finland for tourism and all COVID-19-related border restrictions ended as of June 30, per the Visit Finland tourism board .

Check the U.S. Embassy in Finland for additional information. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Finland is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of Aug. 1, all COVID-19-related entry requirements for France have been dropped. This includes proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a negative test result.

Updates to entry restrictions can be found here .

Check the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France for additional updates. The U.S. State Department's advisory for France is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Americans are welcome in the country of Georgia, according to the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative pre-travel test is no longer required. Proof of health insurance valid in Georgia is recommended.

The U.S. State Department's current advisory for Georgia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

Germany has welcomed all Americans (except those who are residents of China due to reciprocity) since June 20, 2021. As of June 11, 2022, the German government has dropped all COVID-19-related vaccination and testing requirements for entry.

Related: Germany drops COVID-19 travel requirements

Check the U.S. Embassy in Germany or the German Federal Foreign Office for additional information.

Masks are still required on public transportation through at least Jan. 1, 2023.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Germany is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Greece began welcoming U.S. travelers on April 19, 2021. As of May 1, 2022, all travelers to Greece are no longer required to present a vaccination certificate, proof of recovery from COVID-19 or proof of a negative PCR or antigen test. Details can be found here .

As of March 15, 2022, it is also no longer mandatory to complete an online passenger locator form, but filling out a simplified version of the form is recommended.

Face masks are only required on public transportation.

Check the U.S. Embassy in Greece website for additional information.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Greece is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of March 7, Hungary ended all COVID-19-related travel restrictions for travelers , including Americans, according to the U.S. Embassy in Hungary .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Hungary is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Iceland is welcoming U.S. travelers — and as of Feb. 25, there are no longer any testing or vaccination requirements to enter from any country.

Related: Iceland lifts all COVID-19 restrictions

Read the latest updates on Icelandair's website and check the U.S. Embassy in Iceland for additional information.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Iceland is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Related: 9 reasons you should visit Iceland

As of March 6, Ireland has dropped all COVID-19-related entry requirements for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers; completing a passenger locator form is also no longer required.

Updates on traveling to Ireland are here . Details on loosened restrictions within Ireland can be found here and here .

Masks are no longer required but are still recommended on public transportation and in health care settings.

For additional information, visit the U.S. Mission Ireland's website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ireland is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Italy is open for tourism — and as of June 1, both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers can enter without any COVID-19 vaccination or testing restrictions.

All passengers traveling to Italy had been required to fill out the EU Digital Passenger Locator Form , but that requirement ended on May 1.

In addition, as of June 1 proof of vaccination (the "Green Pass") is no longer required to visit museums, dine in restaurants, use public transportation and access most other indoor venues. Masks are recommended but no longer required on public transport.

Check the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy website for additional information. The latest updates by Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Italy is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Kosovo has reopened its borders to Americans and Prishtina International Airport (PRN) is open. According to the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo , as of May 1, travelers can enter Kosovo without proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, but the embassy says that travelers should bring their vaccination certificate with them because it is still required to enter certain indoor spaces.

The embassy also notes: "Airlines, transit points, and destination countries impose a patchwork of different testing requirements and airlines may refuse boarding for some passengers (including U.S. citizens and Kosovo residents). Airlines have the sole authority to decide who they allow to board their aircraft. Generally, pre-travel testing is recommended."

To dine inside restaurants or enter museums, malls or public institutions, anyone over the age of 16 must show evidence of vaccination or a negative PCR or rapid antigen test.

The U.S. State Department's advisory is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Americans can visit Latvia and, according to the U.S. Embassy in Latvia , the country ended entry protocols for travelers from non-high-risk countries as of April 1. Currently, the U.S. is not on the high-risk list and Americans can visit whether they are vaccinated or not without the need to pretest or register.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Latvia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Liechtenstein

Switzerland handles immigration and customs matters for Liechtenstein, meaning that as long as you are qualified to enter Switzerland , you are able to enter Liechtenstein since there's an open border between the two countries.

All Americans had been allowed in for tourism as of June 28, 2021, according to the U.S. Embassy, and as of May 2, 2022, all Americans, no matter their vaccination status, can enter Liechtenstein without any pandemic-related measures.

Travelers can check their eligibility to enter Switzerland and Liechtenstein at the countries' online Travelcheck . They can also check with the Swiss Embassy in Washington, D.C .

All COVID-19-related restrictions for businesses and public transportation have been lifted. Details are here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Liechtenstein is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Americans can visit Lithuania for any purpose, and as of May 1, according to the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania , all COVID-19-related entry requirements have been lifted.

Information on entry to Lithuania can be found here . Information about the current restrictions and recommendations can be found on the Ministry of Health's webpage .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Lithuania is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg , as of Oct. 1, all travelers from the U.S., regardless of their vaccination status, can enter Luxembourg.

Details on travel to Luxembourg are available here .

Masks and CovidCheck are no longer required for entrance to bars, restaurants, stores or on public transportation (only for hospitals and nursing homes). Read more about Luxembourg's restrictions here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Luxembourg is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

There are no COVID-19-related travel requirements in place for entering Malta.

Details are available on the Ministry of Health website .

Masks are now required only in certain settings such as hospitals and care homes.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Malta is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

As of March 16, Moldova has lifted all COVID-19-related entry restrictions and Americans are permitted to enter Moldova.

Check the U.S. Embassy in Moldova's website and the Moldovan Border Police website for more information. Face masks are now recommended but not required in all indoor public spaces.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Moldova is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

According to the Monaco government's COVID-19 website , as of Aug. 12, access to the principality of Monaco is no longer subject to the presentation of a health pass/vaccination certificate.

France , which dropped all COVID-19-related entry protocols on Aug. 1, handles immigration and customs for Monaco.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for France and Monaco is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Montenegro is open to Americans and the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro notes that as of March 11, no proof of vaccination, COVID-19 passports/certificates or COVID-19 tests are required to enter Montenegro.

Face masks must be worn on all public transportation and in hospitals and collective accommodations.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Montenegro is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

The Netherlands

The Netherlands lifted all remaining COVID-19 entry restrictions as of Sept. 17, meaning all international travelers can visit without proof of vaccination required.

Visit the U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands for additional information and the latest updates from the government of The Netherlands can be found here and here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Netherlands is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

North Macedonia

North Macedonia is now open to all tourists, including Americans, with no testing or vaccination requirements, according to the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for North Macedonia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of Feb. 12, Norway's travel restrictions have been lifted. The same rules as prior to the COVID-19 pandemic now apply. There are no requirements for testing, quarantine or registration upon arrival in Norway, according to the U.S. Embassy in Norway .

Detailed information about travel to Norway and national and local COVID-19 prevention measures are available on Health Norway's website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Norway is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of March 28, Poland has lifted all vaccination and testing requirements for all arriving travelers, including those from outside the EU/Schengen Area. All U.S. citizens are now permitted to visit.

Details and updates can be found here .

Check with the U.S. Embassy ; additional information is available here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Poland is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of July 1, Portugal has dropped all COVID-19-related vaccination and testing restrictions and U.S. travelers can visit without any pre-travel requirements.

More information is available at Visit Portugal and through the U.S. Embassy in Portugal .

Masks are required on public transportation and in health care facilities and nursing homes.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Portugal is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of March 9, Romania has lifted all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, according to the U.S. Embassy in Romania , and foreign citizens entering Romania no longer need proof of vaccination or a negative test result.

Travelers planning to visit Romania can also check the Embassy of Romania in Washington, D.C. , for updates.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Romania is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Travel to Russia is not advised due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, which has limited international transportation options as airlines have canceled flights to and from the country. In addition, most cruise lines have canceled scheduled port calls on St. Petersburg .

The Russian government requires that all foreign travelers present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result upon arrival, dated within two days prior to arrival in Russia, along with completion of a digital form that must be printed out and presented to customs in Russia.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Russia as the country's infrastructure has been unsettled by global sanctions imposed since the Ukraine invasion and because Russia is one of the countries "most affected" by COVID-19. Cases and deaths have surged, hitting record highs through mid-February.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Russia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

As of May 3, all travelers entering Serbia no longer need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, according to the U.S. Embassy in Serbia . Most pandemic-related restrictions have gradually been lifted.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Serbia is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Slovakia , as of April 6, all COVID-19-related requirements for entry to Slovakia are canceled, regardless of vaccination status, and Americans are allowed to visit for tourism.

As of April 23, most social restrictions were ended and masks are no longer required in public spaces other than health care settings.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Slovakia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Slovenia has ended its RVT (recovered, vaccinated or tested) rule for entry, according to the Slovenian Tourist Board . Additional information is available here .

Check the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia website for additional information.

All travelers entering Slovenia by air or sea still need to fill out a digital passenger locator form .

The State Department's advisory for Slovenia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

On Oct. 21, Spain dropped all remaining COVID-19-related entry requirements , becoming one of the last countries in Europe to do so.

Further details can be found here or on the U.S. Embassy in Spain's website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Spain is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

As of April 1, Sweden has lifted all COVID-19-related entry restrictions and bans. Those traveling to the country do not require proof of vaccination or a negative test, according to the Swedish Border Police .

The U.S. Embassy in Sweden also has information on traveling to Sweden.

As of Feb. 9, Sweden has dropped all domestic COVID-19-related restrictions, including the wearing of face masks on public transit and capacity limits and vaccine requirements for restaurants.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Sweden is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Switzerland

According to the U.S. Embassy in Switzerland , as of May 2, 2022, all Americans, vaccinated or not, can visit Switzerland without any COVID-19-related protocols.

Travelers can check their eligibility to enter Switzerland at the country's online Travelcheck . They can also check with the Swiss Embassy in Washington, D.C .

All COVID-19-related restrictions for business and public transportation have also been lifted as of May 2. Details are here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Switzerland is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Turkey's international borders are open for travelers from a number of countries, including the U.S., according to the U.S. Embassy in Turkey .

As of June 1, Turkey has dropped all COVID-19-related entry requirements, so proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is no longer required.

The Turkish Ministry of Health announced on March 2 that masks are no longer required outdoors and indoors if air circulation and social distancing are adequate. Restaurants are open without restrictions.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Turkey is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Due to the heavy and sustained armed war with Russia within Ukraine, as well as the government's state of emergency and COVID-19, any travel to Ukraine at this time is not advised. Those U.S. citizens currently in Ukraine should depart immediately, per the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine .

All U.S. citizens age 12 and older who choose to enter Ukraine from the U.S. or another "Red Zone" country must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours of arrival; or, they can present a document confirming the receipt of a full course of vaccination against COVID-19 with vaccines on the WHO's list of approved vaccines.

U.S. citizens traveling to Ukraine must also demonstrate that they have medical insurance covering all expenses related to COVID-19 treatment while in Ukraine.

Since Aug. 5, 2021, all foreign tourists over 18 years old who have not been vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days and monitor such via the Vdoma mobile app, to be shortened by testing negative within three days. Quarantine is not required if you are in the country for less than 72 hours.

Mask-wearing is mandatory on public transportation and in indoor public spaces.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ukraine is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

United Kingdom

As of March 18, the United Kingdom has lifted all COVID-19-related entry requirements, so U.S. travelers no longer need to show proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test to enter. The need to fill out an online passenger locator pass has also ended.

All four nations that comprise the U.K. have separate COVID-19 regulations: England's are here , Scotland's are here , Northern Ireland's are here and Wales' are here ..

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the U.K. is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Visit the U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom for regular updates.

Central America

Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) reopened on Aug. 15, 2020, and the return of tourism began on Oct. 1, 2020, with travel requirements in place. But as of July 12, Americans and all international visitors are welcome to visit Belize without any vaccination or testing requirements required. As of April 1, the country also removed all remaining in-country COVID-19-related restrictions, including mask mandates. Details are available here .

All travelers to Belize are advised to purchase local travel health insurance ($18 per person for a visit lasting up to 21 days) from Belize Travel Insurance , but it is not required.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Belize is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Costa Rica — which reopened to Americans on Nov. 1, 2020 — repealed its COVID-19-related entry requirements as of April 1, 2022. Details can be found here .

Most businesses are open and face masks are recommended but no longer mandatory in all indoor public settings. Beaches are open and national parks are welcoming visitors at 100% capacity.

Travelers can also check the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica website for information.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Costa Rica is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

El Salvador

The country of El Salvador reopened for commercial flights to Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) in San Salvador on Sept. 19, 2020.

Local businesses are open with no restrictions. According to the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador , as of Nov. 17, 2021, the government of El Salvador removed the COVID-19 test and/or vaccination requirements for entry. Travelers are advised to confirm with their airlines that the airline understands and has implemented this change to avoid complications at their departure airport.

The country has said arriving passengers will face temperature checks. A curfew is currently not in place and there are no quarantine requirements for visitors.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for El Salvador is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Guatemala began slowly reopening to tourism on Sept. 18, 2020, and La Aurora International Airport (GUA) is accepting international arrivals. As of Aug. 12, the country removed all COVID-19-related entry protocols, according to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala .

Upon arrival, travelers must pass through health checkpoints and masks are required in some public settings.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Guatemala is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Honduras reopened for tourists from all countries on Aug. 17, 2020, with its international airports in operation. Spirit Airlines has resumed service from Fort Lauderdale and Houston, and American Airlines is flying from Miami.

Entering visitors must complete a government registration form and print it, as well as present their original vaccination certificate indicating they are 14 days or more past completing their vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours of check-in at the airport. They will also be required to sign an affidavit and complete customs forms.

Updates on guidelines can be found on the U.S. Embassy in Honduras website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Honduras is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Nicaragua never really shut down. There were never any stay-at-home or social distancing orders and there are continued questions about how many cases Nicaragua actually has had. In addition, only limited flights from the U.S. have resumed (on Avianca and Copa).

The U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua notes that U.S. travelers are allowed to enter Nicaragua, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of travel is required for entry. Travelers should also be prepared for additional health screenings and may be asked to produce their negative test results. Anyone entering Nicaragua from a country with a known yellow fever risk must also show proof of vaccination at least 10 days prior to arrival.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Nicaragua is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Panama reopened its airport in late August 2020 and tourism resumed on Oct. 12, 2020. The country lifted all remaining COVID-19 entry restrictions for travelers on Sept. 16. Details are available here .

As of July 11, face masks are required only on public transportation and in hospital and health care settings.

The U.S. Embassy in Panama notes on its website that the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory.

South America

Argentina had one of the world's strictest travel bans, restricting all international visitors until Nov. 1, 2021, when fully vaccinated foreigners (including Americans) were allowed to enter the country. As of early April 2022, all international visitors are welcome, without the need to be vaccinated or tested. See details here .

Visit the U.S. Embassy in Argentina for additional information.

The U.S. State Department advisory for Argentina is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Bolivia had been off-limits to tourists, but the country is now open to visitors, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia , with a notation that travelers should be prepared for additional travel restrictions affecting international travel to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.

U.S. citizens will need to obtain a tourist visa ($160 and valid for 30 days).

Entry rules now require travelers to Bolivia, regardless of their country of origin, to present either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or submit proof of a certified negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours (children 5 years old and younger are exempt).

Face masks are required in some public spaces.

The U.S. Embassy reports that commercial flights have resumed — Boliviana de Aviacion has flights between La Paz and Miami — but travelers should expect that additional restrictions affecting international travel could be put in place with little advance notice.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Bolivia is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Brazil, a large and populous country, has had the most coronavirus cases in South America. As of Sept. 12, all international travelers, both fully vaccinated and those who are unvaccinated with a negative pre-travel test, are welcome to visit Brazil. Details can be found here .

Fully vaccinated travelers to Brazil are required to present proof of full vaccination to their airline. It can be electronic or printed, but proof in the form of just a QR code will not be accepted.

Unvaccinated travelers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test or a negative laboratory antigen test taken within one day of boarding.

Brazil no longer requires proof of health insurance for entry, but the U.S. State Department continues to recommend that all travelers purchase insurance before departing the U.S. For updates, check the U.S. Embassy in Brazil's website.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Brazil is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Chile is welcoming international travelers — and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is once again required as of Sept. 1.

According to both the U.S. Embassy in Chile and the Chile Tourism website , any noncitizen or nonresident planning to enter Chile must do the following:

• Travelers age 18 and older to Chile need to provide proof of vaccination when boarding their flight to Chile or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of boarding. Random testing may also occur upon or after arrival.
• Travelers visiting the remote Chilean island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) must be fully vaccinated, have official reservations and fill out a Single Entry Form .

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Chile is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

American tourists can visit Colombia, where international flights resumed on Sept. 21, 2020, according to the U.S. Embassy in Colombia . As of May 1, 2022, all visitors age 18 and older need to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours or a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours of their departure to Colombia.

Current requirements also call for all visitors to complete the online pre-travel registration form " Check-Mig " within 72 hours of their flight departure time. Further details are available here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Colombia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Ecuador is open for tourism, and as of Oct. 20, all COVID-19-related entry requirements for both the mainland and the Galapagos Islands have ended, per the Ecuador Tourism website . However, all visitors must still fill out an online health declaration form and visitors to the Galapagos are still required to present a "transit control card" issued by the Government of Galapagos. See details here .

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Ecuador is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Visit the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador website for additional information.

According to the U.S. Embassy , vaccinated Americans can visit Guyana. As of June 18, all travelers over the age of 12 must present proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (at least two weeks past their final shot). Predeparture testing is no longer required to enter Guyana.

Restaurants are open and dining is allowed at 100% capacity. Mask-wearing in public is no longer mandatory but is strongly encouraged.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Guyana is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay , the country no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter.

The embassy also says that U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Face masks are no longer mandatory, but are recommended.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Paraguay is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

The U.S. Embassy in Peru reports that direct flights from the U.S. are available and as of Nov. 1, Americans are now welcome to enter Peru without proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result.

Check the Peru Tourism website for additional updates.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Peru is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Uruguay reopened to fully vaccinated international travelers on Nov. 1, 2021, and commercial flights have resumed. According to the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay , unvaccinated travelers can enter with testing. Here's what's required:

• Vaccinated travelers require proof of vaccination, but no longer require a pre-travel negative test.
• Unvaccinated travelers require proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours before initiating travel (minors under age 6 are exempt)
• Proof of health insurance effective in Uruguay for the duration of your stay is required for all foreign travelers entering Uruguay.

While travelers are no longer required to wear masks, the State Department recommends wearing face coverings inside crowded buildings and on public transportation.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Uruguay is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Current entry protocols require that U.S. travelers apply for and obtain a visa and all arriving air passengers must present proof of full vaccination, either with a physical card or a digital card (with a QR code). A booster dose is required if the second dose was more than 270 days prior. If unvaccinated, a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival is required. There are health screenings upon arrival, but no quarantine is currently required.

For additional information, check with the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela .

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory .

Bangladesh requires international visitors, including those from the U.S. States, to be fully vaccinated or present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh .

U.S. citizens need a valid visa or "no visa required" seal to enter. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to present proof of a negative pre-travel test, but those age 12 and older who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel to Bangladesh.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bangladesh is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Cambodia, which reopened for tourism early in 2022 now has no pre-travel testing or proof of vaccination required for visitors as of Oct. 6, according to the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia .

All travelers must obtain a visa to enter the country and are encouraged to purchase COVID-19 health insurance valid in Cambodia.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Cambodia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

China was where COVID-19 emerged, and the country suspended entry for nearly all foreigners — including all foreign spectators for the Beijing Winter Olympics, which took place Feb. 4-20, 2022 — and slashed the volume of international passenger flights to and from the country in March 2020. An outbreak in Xian in December 2021 and January 2022 resulted in a monthlong lockdown of the city's 13 million residents and another wave in March resulted in lockdowns in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Ongoing "zero-COVID" lockdowns have resulted in protests around the country in November that the government moved quickly to suppress , later announcing an easing to the length of the lockdowns it imposes.

The State Department's travel advisory for China remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel , mainly due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

Strict anti-travel measures remain in place and tourism isn't allowed. The U.S. Embassy in China says that U.S. citizens with valid resident permits and visas can enter China "under certain conditions."

The latest health notice posted by the Embassy of the People's Republic in the U.S. on Nov. 12 requires that travelers to China obtain a COVID-19 PCR (nucleic acid) test from a certified lab, taken within 48 hours of departure, and then apply for a "health code" to receive a verified "green code" to present when boarding their flight. According to the U.S. Embassy, all arriving passengers are then screened and subject to a minimum 10-day quarantine. They may also be required to install location-tracking software on their phones to access public spaces and businesses.

For additional details on requirements for traveling to China, check with the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Embassy in China and with your airline.

As of May 1, nonresident foreigners who are fully vaccinated can again enter Hong Kong, but proof of vaccination and multiple tests, both before departure and after arrival, are required.

According to the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau , Americans can visit Hong Kong, but they must present either a record of full vaccination; a letter from a doctor certifying recovery from COVID-19 plus one dose of a recognized COVID-19 vaccine; or a letter from a doctor attesting to the traveler's inability to receive a COVID-19 vaccine due to a medical condition. Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 are permitted to enter Hong Kong when accompanying a vaccinated parent or caregiver.

As of Sept. 23, all travelers also must take a laboratory rapid antigen test within 24 hours of their flight and declare the negative result on an online Health & Quarantine Information Declaration . They must then present the generated QR code when checking in for their flight.

All mandatory hotel quarantine requirements have ended, but according to the U.S. Consulate General, upon arrival, all travelers will undergo a COVID-19 PCR test, with results available in 24 hours. They will be released immediately to begin a seven-day period of medical surveillance at their homes or accommodation. During the first three days, they will have an amber code and must avoid certain places under the Vaccine Pass scheme. During the remaining four days of medical surveillance, they will have a blue code and face no movement restrictions. On Day 2 (i.e. the day after arrival), they must undergo a PCR test at a community testing center (for free) or at a government-recognized medical facility (for a fee), and they must conduct RATs on days 1-7. A positive result on any of these tests, with accompanying COVID symptoms, will result in immediate hospitalization; a positive result with no symptoms will result in transfer to a Community Isolation Centre or COVID hotel. Please note that arriving travelers without Hong Kong cell phone numbers may have trouble receiving communications from Hong Kong health authorities concerning their COVID test results.

Complete details are available here and here .

Transit passengers are allowed as of April 1, according to Airport Authority Hong Kong. Transit passengers are international travelers who are only flying into Hong Kong in order to catch another flight. Transit passengers cannot leave the airport.

Related: Hong Kong airport to allow transit passengers as part of reopening

Additional details on entry requirements and testing for travelers are here and here . FAQ can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Hong Kong is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

The U.S. Embassy in India notes that travel to India for tourism and other short-term purposes has resumed fully for individuals holding tourist or e-tourist visas. Valid visas, which were previously suspended due to COVID-19-related precautions, have been fully reinstated and are valid for travel until their printed expiration dates.

According to the U.S. Embassy, all international passengers age 5 and older must either present a vaccination certificate proving full vaccination (India recognizes the CDC vaccination card) or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel. As of Nov. 22, it is no longer necessary to upload the certificate or test results to the Air Suvidha portal .

Passengers may be tested again upon arrival (2% will be selected at random) and must self-monitor for 14 days. U.S. citizens who must travel to India are strongly urged to get fully vaccinated before travel and continue to take personal health safety measures to protect themselves.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for India is currently Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Indonesia is open again for tourism. On Feb. 4, 2022, Bali reopened to all fully vaccinated international visitors . And now the entry protocols are the same throughout Indonesia.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia , travelers age 18 and older entering the country through airports, seaports and land borders must be fully vaccinated, but pre-travel testing is no longer required. They will undergo a symptom check upon arrival and travelers may be tested if their temperature is above 99.5 degrees. All travelers are also required to have international health insurance valid for COVID-19 treatment and medical evacuation from Indonesia and download the PeduliLindungi app.

Travelers who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and have a letter from a medical doctor are allowed to enter, but are required to undergo a five-day quarantine. There is no quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers.

Travelers must also have a short-visit visa or other entry permit; visas upon arrival are again available.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Indonesia is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Japan reopened for visa-free tourism as of Oct. 11 .

The country had banned entry by all foreign nationals on Nov. 29, 2021, in response to the omicron variant and had been closed to tourism since 2020. It first began welcoming tourists on June 10 — but only on select tours with fixed schedules and guides.

Travelers age 18 and older who are fully vaccinated must present proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated travelers are permitted to enter Japan, but they must present a negative result of a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure for Japan.

Requirements for accompanying children vary by age, with unvaccinated children age 6 to 18 required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours while unvaccinated children under six years old not requiring a test. Details are here .

All arriving travelers must also present a completed health questionnaire. As of Nov. 1, travelers to Japan can pre-register here for airport immigration, Customs and vaccination review and use the Fast Track system at major airports throughout Japan.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Japan is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

The landlocked Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan has reopened to Americans arriving via its international airports (visa-free for 30 days), according to the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan . International flights from Azerbaijan, China, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Germany and the United Arab Emirates have resumed.

A negative pre-travel COVID-19 PCR test is no longer required. The U.S. Embassy notes that travelers who enter with an elevated temperature will be isolated in a facility for infectious diseases.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Kazakhstan is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . As of July 27, 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan advises travelers to reconsider travel to the country due to COVID-19 risk.

The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic says the entry ban for U.S. citizens was lifted in December 2020, but advises citizens that the country offers limited healthcare services. In the case of a COVID-19 infection, travelers might have a hard time getting the treatment they need.

Those who do visit Kyrgyzstan via airports in Bishkek, Osh and Issyk Kul no longer need to present either their original vaccine card showing full vaccination against COVID-19 or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. But the U.S. Embassy still recommends carrying both since requirements are subject to change with little to no notice. U.S. citizens may now enter Kyrgyzstan from land crossings in Kazakhstan, but entering from land borders with China, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is currently prohibited.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Kyrgyzstan is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of May 9, fully vaccinated international travelers can enter Laos, but they must also apply for a visa, according to the U.S. Embassy in Laos . The CDC vaccination card is accepted as proof of vaccination. A negative PCR or antigen test is not required for entry.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Laos is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

As of Sept. 1, passport holders of the U.S. and 40 other countries (including most of Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore) can enter Macau without prior approval. They are, however, subject to the testing and quarantine requirements stipulated for all visitors. As of Nov. 13, travelers from beyond those previously stipulated may also enter if they fall into certain categories.

According to the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau , travelers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test (PCR) conducted within the past seven days, 48 hours or 24 hours, depending on their point of origin. Details can be found here .

See links on the U.S. Consulate General website for full details.

All outbound travelers from Macau must also test negative within seven days of departure.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Macau is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

As of Aug.1, Malaysia has lifted all entry restrictions on foreign nationals, according to the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia . U.S. citizens and other non-Malaysian foreign travelers can now enter the country without proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result.

The embassy reports that arriving travelers are no longer required to download the MySejahtera app and complete the digital predeparture form, but the app should still be downloaded anyway to indicate ta traveler's risk status while in Malaysia and some businesses may ask to check the app before allowing entry.

Entry restrictions may change with little advance notice. Requirements may also vary throughout different regions of the country. The U.S. Embassy recommends checking the social media accounts of the Malaysian Ministry of Health and the Malaysian Immigration Department for the most recent updates on COVID-19 procedures.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Malaysia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

The Maldives

Travelers to the Maldives are no longer required to present proof of a pre-travel negative test as of March 14, when the island nation's public health emergency was revoked . However, travelers (with the exception of arriving tourists and returning residents of the Maldives) are encouraged to take a PCR test between three and five days after arrival.

Related: Where you can travel with no COVID-19 test required

According to the Maldives Immigration website, travelers do not need to be vaccinated for entry. However, all international visitors, including Americans, must still complete a traveler declaration within 72 hours prior to travel. A free 30-day tourist visa will be issued upon arrival. Further details can be found here .

If a traveler tests positive or is exposed to someone with COVID-19 while visiting the Maldives, they must complete a government-mandated quarantine at their own expense.

The latest update on resort openings can be found here .

Emirates is offering connections through Dubai from major global cities including Chicago. Etihad resumed flights from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to the Maldives starting in July 2020. Turkish Airlines also started flights in July 2020.

Additional information can be found on the U.S. Mission to Maldives website . The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Maldives is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

Mongolia lifted its restrictions on outbound and inbound travel in June 2021 and ended pre-travel testing requirements in March 2022, according to the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia .

U.S. citizens are allowed to visit, according to the U.S. Embassy, and do not need a visa for a stay of under 90 days (but for stays of more than 30 days, travelers are required to register and failure to do so will incur a fine of $100-$300). Passengers do not need to be vaccinated, but they must fill out a medical declaration form upon arrival.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Mongolia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Nepal has fully reopened to tourists and as of March 10, 2022, all travelers arriving by air may now receive on-arrival visas (subject to proof of vaccination or negative test results).

According to the U.S. Embassy in Nepal , changes to restrictions and requirements can be enacted with little notice. With the March 10 changes , travelers can enter with proof of full vaccination and those who are not fully vaccinated (and older than 5 years of age) can enter by presenting proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight for Nepal.

For more information, check the Embassy of Nepal in Washington, D.C. , or Nepal's Department of Immigration .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Nepal is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Pakistan has reopened for Americans. However, the U.S. State Department discourages travelers from visiting Pakistan at present due to terrorism and violence .

According to the U.S. Embassy , vaccinated individuals can enter Pakistan with proof of full vaccination, while unvaccinated individuals over the age of 12 must present the results of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight.

Americans wishing to travel to Pakistan will need a visa.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Pakistan is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

The Philippines

According to the U.S. Embassy in Manila , the Philippines is now granting entry to both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors from countries that are permitted visa-free travel for up to 30 days, including the U.S., but when entering they must have a valid departure ticket within that time frame.

All travelers must complete a Bureau of Quarantine e-Health Declaration Card within 72 hours of travel to the Philippines to receive a QR code. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers must present proof of a negative laboratory-based rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure. Travelers should also expect health screenings at ports of entry in the Philippines.

Children under the age of 15 are exempt from the vaccination or testing requirements. Details can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Philippines is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

As of April 1, all fully vaccinated travelers (and children under 12 regardless of vaccination status) are able to enter Singapore quarantine-free via any flight. Details can be found here .

With the April 1 changes, travelers must complete an electronic SG Arrival Card and upload a digitally verifiable vaccination certificate within 72 hours of travel. Fully vaccinated adults and their accompanying children age 12 and below no longer need to provide proof of a negative predeparture COVID-19 test, but anyone age 13 and above who is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within two days of departure for Singapore.

Travel insurance covering at least $30,000 in COVID medical and quarantine costs is required. Installing and activating Singapore's TraceTogether app is also suggested.

See the Singapore Airlines website and U.S. Embassy in Singapore website for additional information.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Singapore is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

South Korea

As of Oct. 1, South Korea has eliminated pre-travel and post-arrival testing for all travelers, regardless of vaccination status.

However, visitors are encouraged to register their travel and health information in the Q-code system before departing for South Korea to speed the airport arrival process.

For Information on arrival protocols, check the Incheon Airport website . Additional details are available on the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Korea website and on the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA website.

The U.S. State Department's advisory is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

All travelers to Sri Lanka can visit without quarantine as of April 20, although they need to have a valid tourist visa and mandatory local health insurance ($12 for coverage for one month).

Those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to present proof of a pre-travel negative test while unvaccinated travelers must be tested in their own country and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours.

Visit the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka website for additional updates.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Sri Lanka is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Taiwan on Sept.12 restored visa exemption for U.S passport holders and entry for Americans is now permitted.

As of Aug. 15, Taiwan has dropped the pre-travel testing requirement for entering the country. As of Oct. 13, quarantine requirements have ended but travelers must still undergo health screenings upon arrival and abide by seven days of self-initiated epidemic prevention (including staying one person per room) and use the rapid test kits given to them upon arrival as instructed.

Details can be found here . For additional information see the American Institute in Taiwan's website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Taiwan is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Tajikistan never had a full lockdown, and most businesses, hotels and restaurants reopened on June 15, 2020.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan , all Americans need a Tajik visa for entry (as well as government permission in advance if seeking to enter via a land border) and those age 3 and older must show a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or the results of a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued within 72 hours of arrival when boarding flights to Dushanbe International Airport (DYU). These test results must then be verified by Dushanbe authorities.

The U.S. Embassy also notes that access to medical care in the country may be limited and that "the Government of Tajikistan frequently adjusts its entry and exit requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes to the policy are not immediately made available to the public." An unexpired visa is also required to leave Tajikistan.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Tajikistan is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

As of Oct. 1, travelers to Thailand no longer need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter the country.

Since April 1, 2021, U.S. passport holders have also not been required to obtain a visa for a tourist visit of up to 45 days in Thailand.

For further information on visiting Thailand, check the U.S. Embassy in Thailand's website and the Royal Thai Embassy's website.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Thailand is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Turkmenistan

According to the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan, U.S. citizens are allowed to visit the country, but both the U.S. State Department and the CDC heavily discourage going there. Although Turkmenistan just lifted its suspension of all international flights , few commercial airlines offer flights into the country.

The government has not acknowledged any cases of COVID-19 within the borders of Turkmenistan , and the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan suggests that the government in Turkmenistan "may be disinclined to do so if cases were confirmed."

Any private U.S. citizen seeking to enter Turkmenistan will be required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test and a serology certificate confirming the presence of antibodies, both taken within 48 hours of departure from the U.S. or other point of origin. All travelers will also undergo a PCR test upon arrival ($44), followed by an at-home quarantine of three days. Another PCR test ($44) is required to exit quarantine.

The U.S. Embassy notes, "The government of Turkmenistan can and does change quarantine requirements and arrival procedures for private citizens with little advance notice."

U.S. State Department has issued a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory.

Uzbekistan is open to Americans. U.S. citizens need a visa for entry, but as of June 10, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is no longer required for entry, according to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Uzbekistan is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

On March 15, Vietnam reopened to foreign tourists after two years of widespread travel restrictions. Pre-pandemic visa-issuing policies have now resumed and all COVID-19-related mandatory quarantine requirements for new arrivals have been lifted.

As of May 15, travelers no longer have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to be allowed into Vietnam. Still, the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam recommends that travelers check with their airline to confirm if tests are needed for the airline or for transit to other countries.

Check with the Vietnam Embassy in the U.S. for additional information.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Vietnam is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Australia had remained closed to most foreign visitors for two years, although that changed on Feb. 21, 2021, when the country finally reopened to fully vaccinated international visitors. And as of July 6, requirements for proof of vaccination or pre-travel testing have been lifted. Health screenings at ports of entry still stand. Details are here .

All international arrivals in Australia do still need to apply for an electronic visa .

Australia also reopened to cruise ships in February 2021.

Related: It's official: Australia is scrapping its pre-travel testing

Check the U.S. Embassy in Australia website for updates.

Qantas has resumed international flights between Sydney and Los Angeles, London and other cities. American, Delta and United are also offering flights from the U.S. to Australia.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Australia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

French Polynesia

The Islands of Tahiti are now open to all U.S. visitors, regardless of vaccination status. And since French Polynesia is an overseas territory of France, as of Aug. 1, travelers flying to Papeete from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Noumea and Auckland no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result or present a sworn statement.

Note: Any non-U.S. citizen flying through the U.S. to get to French Polynesia must be fully vaccinated to enter the U.S. by air.

Updates can be found here . Additional information is available on the Air Tahiti Nui website .

If you're itching to travel to French Polynesia, there are lots of options for getting there. Be sure to check out our guide on the best ways to get to Tahiti using points and miles . The destination is home to some famous hotels, such as the Conrad Bora Bora Nui and the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for French Polynesia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

Fiji began allowing fully vaccinated travelers from select countries, including the U.S., for tourism as of Dec. 1, 2021, after having been in strict lockdown since March 2020 with no tourism allowed for more than 18 months. Fiji reopened to fully vaccinated travelers from all countries on April 7, 2022.

To enter Fiji, fully vaccinated travelers age 16 and older need to present proof of full vaccination, but predeparture COVID-19 test requirements have been lifted. Children under age 16, when accompanied by a vaccinated adult, do not need to be vaccinated.

As of April 7, travelers do need to have travel health insurance valid for COVID-19 in Fiji.

Check for updates here and visit the U.S. Embassy in Fiji website for additional information. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Fiji is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

New Zealand

Americans who are fully vaccinated have been allowed to visit New Zealand since May 2, but as of Sept. 13 and Oct. 20, all COVID-related entry requirements, including being vaccinated, have been lifted.

However, any traveler from a visa-waiver country (including the U.S.) must obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority . Details can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for New Zealand is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

As of Aug. 1, foreign nationals are able to enter Samoa, according to the U.S. Embassy in Samoa. And since late September, there are no longer any vaccination or pre-travel testing requirements for Americans seeking to enter Samoa.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Samoa is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

U.S. citizens can enter Tonga for tourism purposes, as of Aug. 1, according to the U.S. Embassy in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu .

Those who do travel to Tonga need to be fully vaccinated and present a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of arrival. Check with your airline for the most up-to-date testing requirements.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Tonga is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Middle East

According to the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain , U.S. travelers have been permitted to receive a visa upon arrival and enter Bahrain since Sept. 4, 2020.

As of Feb. 20, 2022, Bahrain no longer requires pre-travel testing or testing upon arrival, no matter a traveler's vaccination status. If travelers plan to go to Saudi Arabia (one Bahrain's neighboring countries) from Bahrain, however, the U.S. Embassy notes that COVID-19-related restrictions might be enforced or changed with little to no notice. The embassy discourages travelers from flying into Bahrain solely to go to Saudi Arabia.

Face masks are now optional in all indoor public spaces and indoor dining has returned to full capacity.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Bahrain is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Americans had been able to visit Israel if fully vaccinated, and as of March 1, even unvaccinated travelers can enter the country .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Israel , there are no longer any COVID-19 entry requirements or restrictions for travelers. Additional information is available here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Israel is now indicated with individual summaries for the country's regions, with a Do Not Travel warning for Gaza.

Jordan is open to Americans, according to the U.S. Embassy in Jordan. All arriving passengers must register online before the flight, but pre-travel and arrival COVID-19 test requirements were dropped as of March 1, 2022. Passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines for specific requirements, though.

All travelers must have travel health insurance valid in Jordan and must complete their online Gateway2Jordan registration to receive a QR code to be presented upon boarding their flight.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Jordan is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Americans can once again travel to Kuwait without the need to test or quarantine, according to the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait . Travelers seeking to enter will only be permitted in with either a valid visa or a residency permit. Electronic visas (eVisas) are available for U.S. citizens on the Ministry of Interior website.

According to the U.S. Embassy, as of May 1, proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Kuwait is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

As of March 28, registration on the Ministry of Public Health Pass platform has been canceled and travelers no longer need to show their enrollment before being permitted to board a flight bound for Lebanon.

As of March 1, fully vaccinated passengers who received their last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (or a booster shot) within the past six months are exempt from performing a PCR test or rapid antigen test in their country of departure and from being tested upon arrival at Beirut's airport.

All unvaccinated travelers to Lebanon over the age of 12 must present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours of boarding their flight to enter the country, per the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon . All unvaccinated passengers, except those under the age of 12, are also now required to take a PCR test upon arrival at Beirut Airport and refrain from going out in public for 24 hours until receiving a negative result.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Lebanon is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

International flights to Oman have resumed and as of May 23, all COVID-19-related entry restrictions have been lifted, according to the U.S. Embassy in Oman . However, the embassy notes that travelers to Oman "may be requested to present a vaccination certificate indicating they have received at least 2 doses of a Sultanate-approved COVID-19 vaccine. The last dose is required to be taken at least fourteen (14) days ahead of the estimated arrival time."

The Sultanate is currently accepting the following approved vaccines: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Novavax, CanSino, Covaxin and Sputnik Lite.

The Royal Oman Police resumed all visa operations and services on Sept. 1, 2021. All travelers are also required to have travel health insurance that is valid in Oman and covers the cost of COVID-19 treatment for at least a month.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Oman is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Qatar , which is hosting the 2022 World Cup from late November to mid-December, welcomes foreign tourists and as of Nov. 1, COVID-19-related entry measures have been dropped . Details can be found here .

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Qatar for visits of up to 30 days. Check here and see the website of the U.S. Embassy in Qatar for more information.

Full details on entry requirements are available on Qatar's Ministry of Public Health website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Qatar is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Saudi Arabia

Fully vaccinated and boosted Americans can travel to Saudi Arabia, and as of March 5, 2022, the country has removed all COVID-19-related testing and quarantine restrictions. According to the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia , fully vaccinated travelers to the kingdom are:

• No longer required to provide proof of a negative PCR or rapid antigen test upon arrival.
• No longer required to undergo any mandatory COVID-19 quarantine upon arrival.

According to the U.S. Embassy, all persons in Saudi Arabia still need to register to show proof of vaccination via the Tawakkalna app by a Ministry of Health-approved vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Covaxin, Sputnik and Covovax). It is used to enter all government and private establishments, as well as for public transportation and domestic air travel. All travelers must also obtain a visa and have health insurance valid in Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the country is Level 3: Reconsider Travel.

U.S. travelers are not able to enter Syria at this time. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Syria is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is open to tourism and Americans are welcome — without the need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test as of Nov. 7 .

For complete information on traveling to Dubai, check the Emirates website . Details for Abu Dhabi are available here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the UAE is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

The U.S. State Department has maintained a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Yemen due to issues with terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines. The embassy in Sanaa suspended operations in early 2015, and U.S. citizens in Yemen will not be able to rely on emergency services from the U.S. government.

All travelers entering on U.S. documents are required to have a visa from the Yemeni government before entering the country, and passports must have an additional six months of validity from the date of departure.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Botswana , as of Aug. 28, all Americans are permitted to enter Botswana without proof of COVID-19 vaccination or pre-travel testing.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Botswana is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo reopened its borders in August 2020. It is perhaps best known for Virunga National Park, which reopened on April 1, 2021 .

According to the U.S. Embassy , as of Oct. 1, fully vaccinated travelers no longer need to present proof of a negative pre-travel COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days of travel to enter or depart the DRC.

However, all unvaccinated international travelers age 11 and older must arrive with proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of their departure to the DRC. Upon arrival, unvaccinated travelers age 11 and older must also take a second COVID-19 test at the airport. Travelers should register their information and pay for the test ($45) at inrbcovid.com before they begin their travels and must self-quarantine until they receive a negative test result, usually within 24 hours.

Americans need a visa to visit as well as a WHO card with proof of yellow fever vaccination and proof of health and medical evacuation insurance valid in the DRC.

To exit the DRC, all unvaccinated travelers age 11 and older must pay for and present proof of a negative COVID-19 test from an approved lab taken within three days of travel ($30).

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Democratic Republic of Congo is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

International tourism resumed in Egypt in July 2020 and the country is now open to Americans — with no restrictions to entry as of June 2022.

Americans do still need a tourist visa , available on arrival or before arrival via online enrollment . But there are no quarantine requirements and the need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test with a QR code was lifted June 17, according to the U.S. Embassy in Egypt . The latest travel advisories are also available here .

The U.S. State Department's warning is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Related: Dreaming of visiting Egypt

Ghana's Kotoka International Airport (ACC) reopened for regular international service on Sept. 1, 2020, and the country's land and sea borders reopened on March 28, 2022. According to the U.S. Embassy in Ghana , Americans are allowed to enter the country and all passengers arriving by air must be fully vaccinated (if age 18 or older) and fully vaccinated travelers no longer need to present proof of a negative pre-travel COVID-19 test.

The embassy notes: "All persons 18 years old and above arriving in Ghana will be required to provide evidence of full vaccination for a COVID-19 vaccine. Citizens of Ghana and foreign residents who are not fully vaccinated, will, however, need to provide a negative PCR test result no more than 48-hours old, will undergo an antigen test upon arrival in Ghana, and will be offered vaccination upon arrival. Ghana's Foreign Missions have been instructed to make vaccination a requirement for visa acquisition."

Ghana's Ministry of Public Health has ended its mandate for the use of face masks in public, but social distancing and good hand hygiene are still recommended.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ghana is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

Kenya reopened to tourism on Aug. 1, 2020, and Americans are currently welcome to visit. According to the U.S. Embassy in Kenya, all visitors must fill out a mandatory online health form (to obtain a QR code for scanning upon arrival) and have a valid vaccination certificate. If unvaccinated and eligible to visit (and over age 5), travelers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure for Kenya and then take a rapid antigen test (at a cost of $30) upon arrival.

Before travel, both vaccination and test results documents (for eligible unvaccinated visitors) must be uploaded prior to travel into the Panabios system.

All visitors also need to obtain an e-visa.

Face masks are no longer mandatory in public but are recommended in some indoor situations.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory is now Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Malawi , Americans are allowed to enter Malawi. As of June 1, travelers who can show a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate no longer need a pre-travel PCR test to enter. With the white CDC card, however, electronic proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival is required.

Travelers who are unvaccinated need to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken with 72 hours of arrival in Malawi.

All travelers must use the Trusted Traveler framework for online authentication of their vaccination or PCR test documents. Details are available here .

More information is available on the Malawi Tourism website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Malawi is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius , the island nation dropped its pre-travel testing requirement as of March 12 — and as of July 1, there are no longer different rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. Both groups do need to fill in Mauritius' All in One Travel Form to generate an arrival QR code.

Details of travel requirements and travel alerts for Mauritius can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Mauritius is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Related: Why Mauritius should be at the top of your travel to-do list

Morocco reopened to foreign visitors on Feb. 7, 2022 , reversing a ban on air travel that was instated in November of 2021.

All COVID-19-related entry requirements were lifted on Sept. 30, with the exception of the completion of a health form .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Morocco is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Mozambique , U.S. citizens can enter Mozambique and a visa is required. Visas should be obtained in the U.S. (in New York City or Washington, D.C.) before travel to Mozambique, the embassy says, because visas upon arrival, while available for tourists, are not guaranteed.

Travelers must provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test administered in their country of origin within 72 hours of departure. Children up to age 11 are exempt from this requirement. Travelers should expect health screenings upon arrival and there are many regulations and restrictions in effect for commercial businesses and gatherings. Masks are required in all closed spaces.

Although the government of Mozambique does not require exiting travelers to take COVID-19 tests, individual airport agents might. Travelers should check their airline's requirements ahead of time.

Currently, the U.S. State Department's advisory for Mozambique is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Namibia has been open for tourism since Sept. 1, 2020, and all COVID-19-related entry requirements have now been lifted. For further information, check the health section of the Visit Namibia website and the U.S. Embassy in Namibia .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Namibia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Nigeria reopened its airports for domestic travel on July 8, 2020, and international flights resumed in August 2020. All tourists are again welcome, including Americans.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria , arriving international passengers age 18 and older must have verifiable proof of being fully vaccinated or, if unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure on the first leg of their journey. A protocol issued in September 2021 requires all international visitors to register via the Nigeria International Travel Portal and upload test results or vaccine certificates prior to travel.

In addition, all travelers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated are required to take additional COVID-19 PCR tests on day two and day seven after arrival (and they must register and pay for them beforehand to obtain a QR code). The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria says that travelers might face penalties if they do not comply with COVID-19 regulations while in Nigeria.

Arrival testing details can be found here .

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory for Nigeria.

Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo, located in Central Africa between Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is allowing U.S. travelers to visit. According to the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of the Congo , there are no longer any COVID-19-related entry restrictions for the country.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Republic of the Congo is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Rwanda is open to American tourists. According to the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda , COVID-19 testing is not required for entry.

Rwanda offers visas on arrival for people of all nationalities.

Visitors to Rwanda's national parks are no longer required to provide negative COVID-19 test results to enter, but must fill out a guest registration and indemnity form and submit it electronically. Details are available here .

Face masks are no longer required nationwide in public spaces, but are recommended.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Rwanda is now Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

U.S. citizens can visit Senegal. While international flights to Senegal have resumed, most land borders, with the exception of The Gambia, remain closed to tourist traffic, according to the U.S. Embassy .

The embassy also reports that proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative pre-travel test are no longer required for entry to Senegal.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Senegal is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

The Seychelles began welcoming vaccinated Americans in February 2021. As of March 25, 2021, unvaccinated U.S. travelers can visit. Details can be found here .

All visitors require travel authorization via the online portal and must present valid travel and health insurance that covers, at a minimum, COVID-19-related isolation, quarantine and clinical care.

Fully vaccinated travelers (a booster dose is required for those age 18 and older if the second dose was more than six months prior) and those who have proof of having tested positive in the past two to 12 weeks no longer need to present proof of a negative pre-travel test to enter. Those who are unvaccinated must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of their flight and upload the test results to the online portal.

Visitors may only stay at licensed establishments or liveaboards that have been certified by the Public Health Authority. They must also have travel health insurance valid for treatment in the Seychelles.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Seychelles is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions . Check the U.S. Embassy website for updates.

Sierra Leone

All travelers to Sierra Leone are required to register online to receive a Sierra Leone Incoming number, according to the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone .

As of April 13, a pre-travel COVID-19 test or a test upon arrival is no longer required for travelers who are fully vaccinated.

Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travelers no longer have to present proof of a negative pretest, but will be tested upon arrival and must pay the fee online when registering for their Sierra Leone Incoming number.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is also required.

When departing Sierra Leone, an Outbound number is required for all travelers and those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must present proof of a negative test taken within 48-72 hours of departure.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Sierra Leone is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

South Africa

South Africa reopened to tourism on Oct. 1, 2020, and as of Nov. 11, 2020, U.S. citizens can enter for tourism purposes, according to the U.S. Embassy in South Africa . As of June 22, 2022, all COVID-19-related entry requirements have been dropped; proof of vaccination or a negative test is no longer required to enter South Africa. However, all arriving travelers must fill out a health questionnaire .

Related: The 6 best ways to get to South Africa on points and miles

Details can be found here and on South African Airways' website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for South Africa is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

U.S. citizens can enter Tanzania with a vaccination certificate containing a QR code (the CDC card does not have one, but one can be accessed via the VAMS system or via Global Haven ). Vaccinated travelers do not need to take a COVID-19 test upon entry.

Tanzania currently requires all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result containing a QR code and taken within 72 hours of their flight to Tanzania or Zanzibar. They may also be tested upon arrival at their own cost. ($10 in Tanzania and $25 in Zanzibar).

Related: Dreaming of Tanzania

All travelers must complete an online Health Surveillance Form within 24 hours prior to arrival to receive a unique health code. U.S. tourists need a visa to visit Tanzania. All travelers will undergo screening upon arrival.

For more information, see the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania's website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Tanzania is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Americans can currently travel to Uganda.

According to the U.S. Embassy , all arriving passengers must have a visa applied for online and approved by the Ugandan government and those age 6 and older must present proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin taken no more than 72 hours before boarding their flight for Uganda. Carrying paper copies of both vaccine certificates and test results are required.

The U.S. Embassy also notes that the government of Uganda requires that all departing passengers age 6 and older present proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. This requirement is mandatory for all departing passengers out of Uganda even if the destination country does not require it.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Uganda is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Zambia , home to Victoria Falls and known as a top safari destination, is open to international travelers, including Americans.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Zambia , the country requires proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel (travelers below age 12 are exempt). Tourists from the U.S. and certain other countries no longer need a visa, but they will be subject to health screenings (all travelers must submit a health declaration form) upon arrival and symptomatic individuals may be required to submit to testing and/or self-isolation.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Zambia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Zimbabwe reopened its borders to international flights on Oct. 1, 2020, and Americans can visit for tourism. All travelers arriving and departing are required to have proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued by a recognized facility and taken within 48 hours of their time of departure for Zimbabwe. Details are here .

A yellow fever vaccination is also required, according to the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe .

Travelers who have received at least three doses of a WHO-approved vaccine are exempt from mandatory wearing of face masks in public, with the exception of public transport and certain indoor spaces.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the country is now Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Additional reporting by Katherine Fan, Jordyn Fields, Jane Frye, Jacob Harrison, Donna Heiderstadt, Liz Hund, Brian Kim, Stella Shon, Caroline Tanner and Mimi Wright.

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Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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Travel Advisory August 22, 2023

Mexico - see state summaries.

Reissued after periodic review with general security updates, and the removal of obsolete COVID-19 page links.

Country Summary: Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.

U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Mexico.

Do Not Travel To:

• Colima state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Guerrero state  due to  crime .
• Michoacan state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Sinaloa state due to  crime  and  kidnapping
• Tamaulipas state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping.
• Zacatecas  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Reconsider Travel To:

• Baja California  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Chihuahua state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Durango state  due to  crime .
• Guanajuato state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Jalisco state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Morelos state  due to  crime .
• Sonora state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

• Aguascalientes  state due to  crime .
• Baja California Sur state  due to  crime .
• Chiapas state  due to  crime .
• Coahuila state  due to  crime .
• Hidalgo state  due to  crime .
• Mexico City  due to  crime .
• Mexico State  due to  crime .
• Nayarit state  due to  crime.
• Nuevo Leon  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Oaxaca state  due to  crime .
• Puebla state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Queretaro state  due to  crime .
• Quintana Roo state  due to  crime .
• San Luis Potosi state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Tabasco state  due to  crime .
• Tlaxcala state due to  crime .
• Veracruz state  due to  crime .

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

• Campeche state
• Yucatan state

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

If you decide to travel to Mexico:

• Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
• Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
• Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Mexico.
• Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime  advisories  and  alerts , which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your travel. 

Aguascalientes state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes state.

Baja California state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions:

• Mexicali Valley:  U.S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to the heightened possibility of violence between rival cartel factions.  The boundaries of the restricted area are: to the east, the Baja California/Arizona and Baja California/Sonora borders; to the south, from La Ventana (on Highway 5) due east to the Colorado River; to the west, Highway 5; and to the north, Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas/Highway 92/Highway 1 to Carretera Aeropuerto, from the intersection of Highway 1 and Carretera Aeropuerto due north to the Baja California/California border, and from that point eastward along the Baja California/California border.
• Travelers may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. Travelers may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours.  Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours.

There are no other travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state. These include high-traffic tourism areas of border and coastal communities, such as  Tijuana ,  Ensenada , and  Rosarito .

Baja California Sur state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state.

Campeche state – Exercise Normal Precautions

Exercise normal precautions.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.

Chiapas state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Chiapas state.

Chihuahua state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Battles for territory between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees, including restaurants and malls during daylight hours. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employee travel is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Ciudad Juarez:  U.S. government employees may travel to the area of Ciudad Juarez bounded to the east by Bulevar Independencia; to the south by De los Montes Urales/Avenida Manuel J Clouthier/Carretera de Juárez; to the west by Via Juan Gabriel/Avenida de los Insurgentes/Calle Miguel Ahumada/Francisco Javier Mina/Melchor Ocampo; and to the north by the U.S.-Mexico border.  Direct travel to the Ciudad Juarez airport (officially called the Abraham González International Airport) and the factories located along Bulevar Independencia and Las Torres is permitted.  Travel to San Jerónimo is permitted only through the United States via the Santa Teresa U.S. Port of Entry; travel via Anapra is prohibited.

U.S. government employees may only travel from Ciudad Juarez to the city of Chihuahua during daylight hours via Federal Highway 45, with stops permitted only at the Guardia Nacional División Caminos station, the Umbral del Milenio overlook area, the border inspection station at KM 35, and the shops and restaurants on Federal Highway 45 in the city of Ahumada.

• U.S. government employees may travel between Ciudad Juarez and Ascension via Highway 2.
• Nuevo Casas Grandes Area (including Nuevo Casas Grandes, Casas Grandes, Mata Ortiz, Colonia Juárez, Colonia LeBaron, Paquimé and San Buenaventura):  U.S. government employees may travel to the Nuevo Casas Grandes area during daylight hours via Mexico Federal Highway 2, and subsequently Federal Highway 10, to Nuevo Casas Grandes.  Employees are permitted to stay overnight in the cities of Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas Grandes only.
• City of Chihuahua:  U.S. government employees may travel at any time to the area of the city of Chihuahua bounded to the north by Avenida Transformación; to the east by Avenida Tecnológico/Manuel Gómez Morín/Highway 16/Blvd.José Fuentes Mares; to the west by the city boundary; and to the south by Periférico Francisco R. Almada.
• U.S. government employees may travel on Highways 45, 16, and 45D through the city of Chihuahua and to the Chihuahua airport (officially called the General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport). 
• U.S. government employees may travel to Santa Eulalia to the east of the city of Chihuahua, as well as to Juan Aldama via Highway 16 to the northeast.
• U.S. government employees may travel south of the city of Chihuahua on Highway 45 to the southern boundary of Parral, including each town directly connected to Highway 45, including Lázaro Cárdenas, Pedro Meoqui, Santa Cruz de Rosales, Delicias, Camargo, Ciudad Jiménez, and Parral itself.
• U.S. government employees may only travel on official business from the city of Chihuahua on Highway 16 to Ciudad Cuauhtémoc bounded by Highway 21 to the north and east, Highway 5 to the west, and Bulevar Jorge Castillo Cabrera to the south. 
• Ojinaga:  U.S. government employees must travel to Ojinaga via U.S. Highway 67 and enter through the U.S. Port of Entry in Presidio, Texas.
• Palomas:  U.S. government employees may travel to Palomas via U.S. highways through the U.S. Port of Entry in Columbus, New Mexico, or via Highway 2 in Mexico.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Chihuahua, including  Copper Canyon .

Coahuila state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila state. 

U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities : U.S. government employees may not travel to these municipalities.
• Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña:  U.S. government employees must travel directly from the United States and observe a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m. in both cities.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Coahuila state.

Colima state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.  

Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.  

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with noted restrictions: 

• Manzanillo:   U.S. government employee travel is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo.  
• Employees traveling to Manzanillo from Guadalajara must use Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours.  

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Colima state. 

Durango state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime.

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango state.

• West and south of Federal Highway 45:  U.S. government employees may not travel to this region of Durango state.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Durango state.

Guanajuato state – Reconsider Travel

Gang violence, often associated with the theft of petroleum and natural gas from the state oil company and other suppliers, occurs in Guanajuato, primarily in the south and central areas of the state.  Of particular concern is the high number of murders in the southern region of the state associated with cartel-related violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Areas south of Federal Highway 45D:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area south of and including Federal Highway 45D, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Guanajuato state, which includes tourist areas in:  San Miguel de Allende ,  Guanajuato City , and  surrounding areas.

Guerrero state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime.

Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following area with the noted restrictions:

• Taxco:  U.S. government employees must use Federal Highway 95D, which passes through Cuernavaca, Morelos, and stay within downtown tourist areas of Taxco. Employees may visit Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park during the day with a licensed tour operator.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Guerrero, including to tourist areas in  Acapulco ,  Zihuatanejo , and  Ixtapa .

Hidalgo state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state.

Jalisco state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state. In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Jalisco-Michoacan border and Federal Highway 110:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area between Federal Highway 110 and the Jalisco-Michoacan border, nor travel on Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan, Jalisco, and the Michoacan border.
• Federal Highway 80:  U.S. government employees may not travel on Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Jalisco state which includes tourist areas in:  Guadalajara Metropolitan Area ,  Puerto Vallarta (including neighboring Riviera Nayarit) ,  Chapala , and  Ajijic .

Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. Petty crime occurs frequently in both tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.

Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Use additional caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.

Michoacan state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Crime and violence are widespread in Michoacan state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Federal Highway 15D:   U.S. government employees may travel on Federal Highway 15D to transit the state between Mexico City and Guadalajara.
• Morelia:  U.S. government employees may travel by air and by land using Federal Highways 43 or 48D from Federal Highway 15D.
• Lazaro Cardenas:  U.S. government employees must travel by air only and limit activities to the city center or port areas.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Michoacan, including the portions of the  Monarch Butterfly Reserve  located in Michoacan.

Morelos state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.

Nayarit state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Nayarit state.

Nuevo Leon state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon state.

Oaxaca state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state.

U.S. travelers are reminded that U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Isthmus region:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area of Oaxaca bounded by Federal Highway 185D to the west, Federal Highway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca-Chiapas border to the east.  This includes the cities of Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas Atempa.  
• Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa:  U.S. government employees may not use Federal Highway 200 between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca-Guerrero border.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees to other parts of Oaxaca state, which include tourist areas in:  Oaxaca City ,  Monte Alban ,  Puerto Escondido,  and  Huatulco .

Puebla state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.

Queretaro state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state.

Quintana Roo state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations.  Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. 

While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured innocent bystanders.  Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. However, personnel are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.

San Luis Potosi state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.  U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.

Sinaloa state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based in and operating in Sinaloa. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Mazatlan:  U.S. government employees may travel to Mazatlan by air or sea only, are limited to the Zona Dorada and historic town center, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport and sea terminal.
• Los Mochis and Topolobampo:  U.S. government employees may travel to Los Mochis and Topolobampo by air or sea only, are restricted to the city and the port, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Sinaloa state.

Sonora state – Reconsider Travel

Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora.  Security incidents may occur in any area of Sonora.

• Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales:  U.S. government employees may travel between the U.S. Ports of Entry in Nogales and Hermosillo during daylight hours via Federal Highway 15 only. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures. Travelers should exercise caution and avoid unnecessary stops as security incidents, including sporadic, armed carjackings, and shootings have been reported along this highway during daylight hours. Travelers should have a full tank of gas and inform friends or family members of their planned travel.
• Nogales:  U.S. government employees may not travel in the triangular area north of Avenida Tecnologico, west of Bulevar Luis Donaldo Colosio (Periferico), nor east of Federal Highway 15D (Corredor Fiscal). U.S. government employees also may not travel in the residential and business areas to east of the railroad tracks along Plutarco Elias Calle (HWY 15) and Calle Ruiz Cortino, including the business area around the Morley pedestrian gate port-of-entry. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Nogales due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.  
• Puerto Peñasco:  U.S. government employees may travel between Puerto Peñasco and the Lukeville-Sonoyta U.S. Port of Entry during daylight hours via Federal Highway 8 only. They may not travel on any other route to Puerto Peñasco. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Puerto Peñasco. due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Triangular region near Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry:  U.S. government employees may not travel into or through the triangular region west of the Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry, east of Sonoyta, and north of Altar municipality.
• San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta : U.S. government employees may travel directly from the nearest U.S. Port of Entry to San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea (via Douglas Port of Entry), and Agua Prieta, but may not go beyond the city limits. Travel is limited to daylight hours only. Travel between Nogales and Cananea via Imuris is not permitted. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these cities due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Eastern and southern Sonora (including San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos):  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora east of Federal Highway 17, the road between Moctezuma and Sahuaripa, and State Highway 20 between Sahuaripa and the intersection with Federal Highway 16. U.S. government employees may travel to San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos; travel to Alamos is only permitted by air and within city limits.  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora south of Federal Highway 16 and east of Federal Highway 15 (south of Hermosillo), as well as all points south of Guaymas, including Empalme, Guaymas, Obregon, and Navojoa.  U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these areas due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

U.S. government employees may travel to other parts of Sonora state in compliance with the above restrictions, including tourist areas in: Hermosillo , Bahia de Kino , and Puerto Penasco .

Tabasco state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state.

Tamaulipas state – Do Not Travel

Organized crime activity – including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault – is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments.

Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo.  In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime. Law enforcement capacity is greater in the tri-city area of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, which has a lower rate of violent criminal activity compared to the rest of the state.

U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo:  U.S. government employees may only travel within a limited radius around and between the U.S. Consulates in Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros, their homes, the respective U.S. Ports of Entry, and limited downtown sites, subject to an overnight curfew.
• Overland travel in Tamaulipas:  U.S. government employees may not travel between cities in Tamaulipas using interior Mexican highways. Travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey is limited to Federal Highway 85D during daylight hours with prior authorization.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other parts of Tamaulipas state.

Tlaxcala state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state.

Veracruz state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur with increasing frequency in Veracruz, particularly in the center and south near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment to pass are common.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.

Yucatan state – Exercise Normal Precautions

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which include tourist areas in:  Chichen Itza ,  Merida ,  Uxmal , and  Valladolid .

Zacatecas state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread in Zacatecas state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Zacatecas City : U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, and employees may not travel overland to Zacatecas City.
• U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Zacatecas state.

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Passport must be valid at time of entry

One page per stamp

Yes, if visiting for more than 180 days

See Travelers’ Health section

Embassies and Consulates

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR U.S. CITIZENS IN MEXICO From Mexico: 800-681-9374 or 55-8526-2561 From the United States: 1-844-528-6611

U.S. Citizen Services Inquiries: Contact Form

U.S. Embassy Mexico City

Paseo de la Reforma 305 Colonia Cuauhtémoc 06500 Ciudad de México

U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez

Paseo de la Victoria #3650 Fracc. Partido Senecú 32543 Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua

U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara

Progreso 175 Colonia Americana 44160 Guadalajara, Jalisco

U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo

Monterey, Esqueda 141 El Centenario 83260 Hermosillo, Sonora

U.S. Consulate General Matamoros

Constitución No. 1 Colonia Jardín 87330 Matamoros, Tamaulipas

U.S. Consulate General Merida

Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31 Colonia Alcalá Martin 97050 Mérida, Yucatán

U.S. Consulate General Monterrey

Avenida Alfonso Reyes 150 Colonia Valle del Poniente 66196 Santa Catarina, Nuevo León

U.S. Consulate General Nogales

Calle San José s/n Fracc. Los Álamos 84065 Nogales, Sonora

U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo

Paseo Colon 1901 Colonia Madero 88260 Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

U.S. Consulate General Tijuana

Paseo de las Culturas s/n Mesa de Otay Delegación Centenario 22425 Tijuana, Baja California

Consular Agencies

Acapulco Hotel Continental Emporio Costera M. Alemán 121 – Office 14 39670 Acapulco, Guerrero Cancun

Blvd. Kukulcan Km 13 ZH Torre La Europea, Despacho 301 77500 Cancún, Quintana Roo

Los Cabos Las Tiendas de Palmilla L-B221, Km. 27.5 Carretera Transpeninsular 23406 San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur

Playa Gaviotas 202, Local 10 Zona Dorada 82110 Mazatlán, Sinaloa

Oaxaca Macedonio Alcalá 407, Office 20 68000 Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Piedras Negras Abasolo 211, Local 3, Centro 26000 Piedras Negras, Coahuila

Playa del Carmen Plaza Progreso, Local 33 Carretera Federal Puerto Juarez-Chetumal, Mz. 293 Lt. 1. 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

Puerto Vallarta

Paradise Plaza, Paseo de los Cocoteros 85 Sur, Local L-7 63732 Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit

San Miguel de Allende Plaza La Luciérnaga, Libramiento Jose Manuel Zavala 165, Locales 4 y 5 Colonia La Luciérnaga 37745 San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Destination Description

See the  State Department’s Fact Sheet on Mexico  for more information on U.S.-Mexico relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

A valid passport book is required to enter Mexico by air, and those attempting to enter at an airport with a U.S. passport card only may be denied admission.

Review the Mexican government’s most current  entry, exit, and visa requirements  ( Spanish only ) or visit the  Embassy of Mexico  in Washington, D.C., for more information.

For travelers entering Mexico by air only, Mexican immigration authorities implemented a process to replace the previous paper Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM with a Forma Migratoria Multiple Digital or FMMD.  The FMMD process is in place at all 66 international airports in Mexico.  Upon arrival at an airport, Mexican immigration authorities will determine a traveler’s authorized length of stay and either place a date stamp in the traveler’s passport or direct the traveler through a self-service electronic gate (E-Gate) that will generate a printed receipt with QR code. Air travelers who wish to download a record of their FMMD or find more information on the FMMD process may visit the National Migration Institute’s (INM) website .

Travelers entering Mexico by land should have a valid passport book or card.  If you enter Mexico by land and plan to travel beyond the immediate border area (approximately 12 miles or 20 kilometers into Mexico), you must stop at an INM office to obtain an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM), even if not explicitly directed to do so by Mexican officials.  INM may opt to allow tourists entry of up to 180 days without a visa or may limit authorized stays to shorter periods at their discretion; visitors should confirm the specific length of authorized stay written on the entry permit (FMM) or by the stamp in their passport. Mexican immigration authorities could ask you to present both your passport and entry permit if applicable at any point and may detain you while they review your immigration status if you are not carrying your passport and proof of legal status in Mexico, or if you have overstayed your authorized stay. Immigration check points are common in the interior of Mexico, including in popular tourist areas far from the border.  

You will also need a temporary vehicle import permit to bring a U.S.-registered vehicle beyond the border zone. These permits are processed through Banjercito and require a deposit that will be refunded once the vehicle leaves Mexico.  For more information, visit the  Banjercito  website ( Spanish only ).

Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora have a “hassle-free” zone that allows cars traveling without an entry permit or car registration within the zone. 

Mexican authorities can impound a vehicle that enters the country without a valid U.S. registration, a vehicle driven by a Mexican national who is not resident in the United States, or a vehicle found beyond the border zone without the temporary import permit.

Mexican law permits Mexican immigration authorities to deny foreigners entry into Mexico if they have been charged with or convicted of a serious crime in Mexico or elsewhere.

Travelers bringing in goods beyond their personal effects worth $300.00 or more must declare those goods with Mexican customs (SAT) Mexican customs  ( Spanish only ) or risk having them confiscated. This also applies to used goods or clothing, including items for donation. U.S. citizens driving such items into Mexico without declaring them or without sufficient funds to pay duty fees are subject to having their vehicle seized by Mexican customs authorities. For further information about customs regulations, please read our  customs information page .

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents in Mexico.

A parent or legal guardian departing Mexico with minor children should carry a notarized consent letter from the other parent if traveling separately. INM requires at least one parent to complete a  SAM  ( Formato de Salida de Menores, Spanish only ) for all Mexican or foreign minors with Temporary Resident, Temporary Student Resident, or Permanent Resident status departing Mexico alone or with a third party.  Further information about the  prevention of international parental child abduction  is available on our website.

Find information on dual nationality , and customs regulations on our websites. Both Mexico and the United States allow dual nationality.

Safety and Security

Travelers are urged to review the  Mexico Travel Advisory  for information about safety and security concerns affecting the country on a state-by-state basis.

U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Mexico should not expect public health and safety standards like those in the United States. Even where such standards exist, enforcement varies by location. Travelers should mitigate the risk of illness or injury by taking standard health and safety precautions.

The phone number to report emergencies in Mexico is “911.”  Although there may be English-speaking operators available, it is best to seek the assistance of a Spanish speaker to place the call.

Crime:  Crime in Mexico occurs at a high rate and can be violent, from random street crime to cartel-related attacks. Over the past year, Mission Mexico has assisted U.S. citizens who were victims of armed robbery, carjacking, extortion, homicide, kidnapping, pick-pocketing, and sexual assault. Increased levels of cartel-related violence have resulted in territorial disputes and targeted killings, injuring or killing innocent bystanders. Travelers who find themselves in an active shooter scenario should flee in the opposite direction, if possible, or drop to the ground, preferably behind a hard barrier.

Drivers on roads and highways may encounter government checkpoints, which often include National Guard or military personnel. State and local police also set up checkpoints in and around cities and along the highways to deter criminal activity and enforce traffic laws. In some parts of Mexico, criminal organizations and other non-governmental actors have been known to erect unauthorized checkpoints and have abducted or threatened violence against those who fail to stop and/or pay a “toll.” When approaching a checkpoint, regardless of whether it is official, cooperate and avoid any actions that may appear suspicious or aggressive.

While Mexican authorities endeavor to safeguard the country’s major resort areas and tourist destinations, those areas have not been immune to the types of violence and crime experienced elsewhere in Mexico. In some areas of Mexico, response time of local police is often slow. In addition, filing police reports can be time consuming. See our  Mexico Travel Advisory  for more information.

Demonstrations  occur frequently.  They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.  Protesters in Mexico may block traffic on roads, including major thoroughfares, or take control of toll booths on highways.  Travelers who encounter protesters who demand unofficial tolls are generally allowed to pass upon payment.  U.S. citizens should avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by authorities, as Mexican law prohibits political activities by foreign citizens and such actions may result in detention or deportation.

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.  
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.  

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.  

Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Mexico. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:   

• Romance/Online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Lucrative sales 
• Grandparent/Relative targeting 
• Free Trip/Luggage 
• Inheritance notices 
• Bank overpayments 

Mexico’s consumer protection agency,  PROFECO  (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor, Spanish only), can sometimes  provide assistance  (Spanish only) to victims of such scams. In addition, there have been allegations of banking fraud perpetrated by private bankers against U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens who believe they have been victims of fraud can file a police report  file a complaint  (Spanish only) with the Mexican banking regulatory agency, CONDUSEF  (Comision Nacional para la Proteccion y Defensa de los Usuarios de Servicios Financieros, Spanish only), or consult with an attorney.

Victims of Crime:  U.S. victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest Consulate for assistance.  Report emergencies to the local police at 911, report crimes already committed to the Ministerio Publico, and contact the Embassy or Consulate at +52-55-85262561.  Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

U.S. citizen victims of crime should contact the local authorities to file a Mexican police report before departing Mexico. In most instances, victims of crime will file reports with the Ministerio Publico (equivalent to the office of public prosecutor or district attorney in the United States) and not with police first responders. U.S. citizens should also inform the  U.S. Embassy or nearest consulat e . 

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .    We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care,
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police,
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent,
• provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion, 
• provide a list of local attorneys,
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States ,
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution,
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home,
• replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the  U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate  for assistance.

Kidnapping:  Mexico experiences very high rates of kidnapping.  If you believe you or your U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) relative has been kidnapped, please contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate immediately.

Robbery:  Mexico experiences robberies, typically in cities, in which abductors force victims to use their debit or credit card to withdraw money from ATMs in exchange for their release. Perpetrators commonly work in cooperation with, or pose as, taxi drivers. To minimize the risk of such robberies:

• Only use a reputable taxi company or a trusted ride-sharing app.
• Book taxis through your hotel or an authorized taxi stand.

Extortion:  Extortion schemes are common in Mexico.  In a typical scheme known as a virtual kidnapping, criminals convince family members that a relative has been abducted, when, in fact, the person is safe but unreachable.  The purported abductors will often use threats to persuade victims to isolate themselves, making communication with family members less likely.  Unable to reach their loved ones, family members often consent to paying the “ransom” demand.  Criminals use various means to gather information about potential victims, including monitoring social media sites, eavesdropping on conversations, or using information taken from a stolen cell phone.  Some of these extortions have been conducted from Mexican prisons.  You can reduce the risk of falling victim to this type of extortion through the following:

• Do not discuss travel plans, your room number, or any other personal information within earshot of strangers.
• Do not divulge personal business details to strangers in person or over the phone, especially when using hotel phones.
• If you are threatened on the phone, hang up immediately.

Sexual Assault:  Rape and sexual assault are serious problems in some resort areas. Many of these incidents occur at night or during the early morning hours, in hotel rooms, on hotel grounds, or on deserted beaches. In some cases, assailants drug the drinks of victims before assaulting them. Pay attention to your surroundings and to who might have handled your drink.

Credit/Debit Card “Skimming:”  There have been instances of fraudulent charges or withdrawals from accounts due to “skimmed” cards. If you choose to use credit or debit cards, you should regularly check your account to ensure there are no unauthorized transactions. Travelers should limit the amount of cash they carry in public, exercise caution when withdrawing cash from ATMs, and avoid ATMs located in isolated or unlit areas.

Alcohol:  If you choose to drink alcohol, it is important to do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill. There have been reports of individuals falling ill or blacking out after consuming unregulated alcohol. The Mexican Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk,  COFEPRIS  ( Comision Federal para la Proteccion contra Riesgos Sanitarios, Spanish only ), is responsible for inspecting hotels, restaurants, and other establishments for health violations, including reports of unregulated alcohol. Please email COFEPRIS at  [email protected]  for more information or if you wish to file a report. You can file a report online (Spanish only) via the COFEPRIS website, by calling the COFEPRIS call center at 800 033 50 50 (from Mexico) or +52 (55) 5080-5425 (from the United States), or by scheduling an appointment  (Spanish only)  to visit a COFEPRIS office.

There have also been instances of criminals drugging drinks to rob or sexually assault victims. Additionally, if you feel you have been the victim of unregulated alcohol or another serious health violation, you should notify the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate . You may also contact the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries).

Drug Smuggling:  Mexican criminal organizations are engaged in a violent struggle to control trafficking routes. Criminal organizations smuggling drugs into the United States have targeted unsuspecting individuals who regularly cross the border. Frequent border crossers are advised to vary their routes and travel times and to closely monitor their vehicles to avoid being targeted.

Tourism:  In major cities and resort areas, the tourism industry is generally well-regulated.  Best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced.  Hazardous areas and activities are identified with appropriate signage, and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country.  Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and/or provide life-saving assistance.  In smaller towns and areas less commonly frequented by foreign tourists, the tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur.  Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in or near major cities.  First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Since 2016, Mexico has opened seven multilingual Centers for the Care and Protection of Tourists (CAPTA) and Tourist Assistance Centers (CATTAC) in Los Cabos, La Paz, Acapulco, Playa del Carmen, Mazatlan, Ciudad Madero, and Queretaro. These offices have proven helpful assisting U.S. citizen visitors in resolving disputes with merchants and government entities, filing criminal reports, securing needed services, and locating special needs accommodations. 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

The Mexican government is required by international law to contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate promptly when a U.S. citizen is arrested if the arrestee so requests.  This requirement does not apply to dual nationals.  

Firearms and Other Weapons:  Weapons laws in Mexico vary by state, but it is generally illegal for travelers to carry weapons of any kind including firearms, knives, daggers, brass knuckles, as well as ammunition (even used shells). Illegal firearms trafficking from the United States to Mexico is a major concern, and the Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against taking any firearm or ammunition into Mexico. If you are caught entering Mexico with any type of weapon, including firearms or ammunitions, you likely will face severe penalties, including prison time. U.S.-issued permits allowing an individual to carry weapons are not valid in Mexico.  Visit the Department’s  Traveling Abroad with Firearms webpage .

Vessels entering Mexican waters with firearms or ammunition on board must have a permit previously issued by a Mexican embassy or consulate.

Drugs:  Drug possession and use, including medical marijuana, is illegal in Mexico and may result in a lengthy jail sentence or fines.  

Electronic Cigarettes (Vaping Devices):  It is illegal for travelers to bring electronic cigarettes (vaping devices) and all vaping solutions to Mexico. Customs will confiscate vaping devices and solutions and travelers could be fined or arrested. Avoid delays and possible sanctions by not taking these items to Mexico. 

Real Estate and Time Shares:  U.S. citizens should exercise caution when considering time-share investments or purchasing real estate and be aware of the aggressive tactics used by some sales representatives. Before initiating a real estate purchase or time-share investment, U.S. citizens should consult with a Mexican attorney to learn about important regulations and laws that govern real estate property.

Mountain Climbing and Hiking:  The Mexican government has declared the area around the Popocatepetl and the Colima volcanoes off limits. In remote rural areas, there can be limited cell phone coverage and internet connectivity, and it may be difficult for rescue teams and local authorities to reach climbers and hikers in distress.

Potential for Natural Disasters:  Mexico is in an active earthquake zone. Tsunamis may occur following significant earthquakes. Please visit our  disaster and crisis preparedness  webpage for more information. For additional information concerning disasters, see:

• U.S. Embassy Mexico City website
• Civil Protection  ( Proteccion Civil, Spanish only ) provides information from the Mexican Government about natural disaster preparedness
• U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  provides general information about natural disaster preparedness
• U.S. Geological Survey  provides updates on recent seismic and volcanic activity

Storm Season:  Tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico or along the Caribbean and Pacific Coast between May and November can produce heavy winds and rain. Please visit our disaster and crisis preparedness  webpage for more information.

Spring Break:  Millions of U.S. citizens visit Mexican beach resorts each year, especially during “ spring break ” season. The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. See the “Alcohol” section above to learn more about the risks associated with drinking, as well as reports of illnesses associated with the possible consumption of unregulated alcohol.

Resort Areas and Water Activities:  Beaches in Mexico may be dangerous due to strong currents, rip tides, and rogue waves. Warning notices and flags on beaches should be taken seriously. Not all hazardous beaches are clearly marked. If black or red warning flags are up, do not enter the water. Strong currents can lead to dangerous conditions for even the most experienced swimmers. U.S. citizens simply walking along the shore or wading have been swept out to sea by rogue waves, and some citizens have drowned or disappeared at Mexican beaches. Avoid the consumption of alcohol while engaging in water activities and do not swim alone. 

Boats used for excursions may not be covered by accident insurance and sometimes lack adequate life jackets, radios, and tools to make repairs.  Participation in adventure sports may not be covered by accident insurance and safety protections and regulations for these activities may differ from U.S. standards.  Visit  our website  and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about adventure travel.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also be subject to fines or forced to relinquish the goods if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or on the organization of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Intersex (LGBTQI+) events in Mexico. However, due to sporadic reports of violence targeting LGBTQI+ individuals, U.S. citizens should exercise discretion in identifying themselves publicly as LGBTQI+. See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and Section 6 of the  Department of State’s Human Rights Report for Mexico  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities:   Mexican law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities.  Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States.  The most common types of accessibility may include accessible facilities, information, and communication/access to services/ease of movement or access.  Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure in more rural and remote parts of the country, and more common in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure in major cities.  U.S. citizens with disabilities should consult individual hotels and service providers in advance of travel to ensure they are accessible.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  There were several reports of sexual assault or domestic violence involving U.S. citizen women over the past year. See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Excellent health facilities are available in Mexico City and other major cities. Ambulance services are widely available, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi to a health provider. Mexican facilities often require payment “up front” before providing medical care, and most hospitals in Mexico do not accept U.S. health insurance. A list of doctors and hospitals is available on the U.S. Embassy or consulate website.

U.S. citizens have lodged complaints against some private hospitals in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and Los Cabos to include exorbitant prices and inflexible collection measures.  Travelers should obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care in these locations.  Be aware that some resorts have exclusive agreements with medical providers and ambulance services, which may limit your choices in seeking emergency medical attention.  Some hospitals in tourist centers utilize sliding scales, deciding on rates for services based on negotiation and on the patient’s perceived ability to pay.  In some instances, providers have been known to determine the limits of a patient’s credit card or insurance, quickly reach that amount in services rendered, and subsequently discharge the patient or transfer them to a public hospital.

Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  website for information on Medical Tourism.

For emergency services in Mexico, dial  911 .  Although there may be English-speaking operators available, it is best to seek the assistance of a Spanish speaker to place the call.

Ambulance services are: 

• widely available in major cities but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards,
• not present in many remote and rural areas of the country,   
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.  
• Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.  

We do not pay medical bills:  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.  Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.  

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas.  Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. 

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation as well.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.  Check the Mexican government’s Drug Schedule to ensure the medication is legal in Mexico. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information :

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals .  We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. 

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery: 

• U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died during or after having cosmetic or other elective surgery.   
• Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations.  Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on Medical Tourism.  
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.  
• Your legal options in case of malpractice are very limited in Mexico.  Several foreigners have successfully enlisted the support of  PROFECO  (Spanish only) in order to resolve disputes over medical services.
• Although Mexico has many elective/cosmetic surgery facilities that are on par with those found in the United States, the quality of care varies widely.  If you plan to undergo surgery in Mexico, make sure that emergency medical facilities are available and professionals are accredited and qualified.  

Pharmaceuticals

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas.  Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls.  Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients.  Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.  
• The Drug Enforcement Agency reports counterfeit prescription pills are sold by criminals on both sides of the border. These pills are sometimes represented as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax, and others, and may contain deadly doses of fentanyl. Counterfeit pills are readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico along the border and in tourist areas.  U.S. citizens have become seriously ill or died in Mexico after using synthetic drugs or adulterated prescription pills.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States.  Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States.  Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States.  Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.   
• Visit the  Mexican Health Department  website (Spanish only) or contact the  Embassy of Mexico  in Washington, D.C., for more information about obtaining a permit to import medicine into Mexico.
• For a list of controlled substances in Mexico, visit the  COFEPRIS  website (Spanish only) and the  Mexican Drug Schedule  (Spanish only). U.S. citizens should carry a copy of their prescription or doctor’s letter, but it is still possible that they may be subject to arrest for arriving in Mexico with substances on these lists. Note that a medicine considered “over the counter” in some U.S. states may be a controlled substance in Mexico. For example, pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in Sudafed, is considered a controlled substance in Mexico. For more information, contact the  Embassy of Mexico  in Washington, D.C.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy  

• If you are considering traveling to Mexico to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page . 
• Surrogacy is legal for foreigners in most of Mexico, in some states surrogacy is either not legal or is not governed by regulation. 
• If you decide to pursue parenthood in Mexico via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a gestational mother, be prepared for long and unexpected delays in documenting your child’s citizenship. 
• Make sure you understand Mexican law, which can vary from state to state and is ambiguous in its treatment of non-Mexican or same-sex intending parents. Mexican courts, for example, may fail to enforce surrogacy agreements between non-Mexican or same-sex intending parents and gestational mothers.
• Gestational mothers are normally treated as the child’s legal parent with full parental rights in most states. The gestational mother’s name is typically listed on the Mexican state-issued birth certificate.  In Mexico City, the intended parents may be listed on the Mexican birth certificate if they can demonstrate a valid surrogacy agreement was in place regarding the child’s birth.
• Be aware that individuals who attempt to circumvent local law risk criminal prosecution.  Mexican authorities have made arrests stemming from surrogacy cases.

Carbon Monoxide

• Many hotels and other lodgings are not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, even if they contain sources of this potentially lethal gas. U.S. citizens have died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning throughout Mexico. If your lodging is not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector, consider traveling with a portable one.

Water Quality: 

• In many areas in Mexico, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks might be made using tap water.

Altitude: 

• Many cities in Mexico, such as Mexico City, are at high altitude, which can lead to altitude illness. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Travel to High Altitudes .

Adventure Travel

• Participation in adventure sports and activities may not be covered by accident insurance and safety protections and regulations for these activities may differ from U.S. standards.  Visit  our website  and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website  for more information about adventure travel.

General Health

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Typhoid Fever
• Travelers’ Diarrhea
• Chikungunya
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Parasitic Infections
• Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in Mexico.   

Air Quality

• Air pollution is a significant problem in several major cities in Mexico. Consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you and consult your doctor before traveling if necessary.

For further health information, go to:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

  Private Residential Treatment Facilities: 

• These facilities provide care to U.S. citizens throughout Mexico and include child behavior modification facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living centers. 
• There is a wide range in standards for education, safety, health, sanitation, immigration, and residency.  Staff licensing may not be strictly enforced or meet the standards of similar facilities in the United States.  
• The State Department has received reports of abuse, negligence, or mismanagement at some of these facilities. U.S. citizens should exercise due diligence and do extensive research before selecting a residential treatment facility.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of U.S. citizen deaths in Mexico. If you have an emergency while driving, dial “911.” If you are driving on a toll highway (“ cuota ”) or any other major highway, you may contact the Green Angels ( Spanish only ), a fleet of trucks with bilingual crews, by dialing 078 from any phone in Mexico.  Generally, individuals involved in an accident who do not require immediate medical care should contact their insurance providers, who may come to the site to provide an immediate assessment.

Avoid driving on Mexican highways at night. Travel with a charged and functional cell phone capable of making calls in Mexico. Travelers should exercise caution at all times and should use toll (“ cuota ”) roads rather than the less secure free (“ libre ”) roads whenever possible. Do not hitchhike or accept rides from or offer rides to strangers anywhere in Mexico. Travelers encountering police or security checkpoints should comply with instructions.

Road conditions and maintenance across Mexico vary with many road surfaces needing repair. Travel in rural areas poses additional risks to include spotty cell phone coverage and delays in receiving roadside or medical assistance.

Vehicular traffic in Mexico City is subject to restriction Monday through Saturday, according to the license plate number, in order to reduce air pollution. For additional information, refer to the  Hoy No Circula website  ( Spanish only ) maintained by the Mexico City government. See our  Road Safety Page  for more information.  Also, visit  Mexico’s national tourist office website , MexOnline, and Mexico’s customs website  Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos  ( Spanish only ) for more information regarding travel and transportation.

Traffic Laws:   U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in Mexico. Mexican law requires that only owners drive their vehicles or that the owner be inside the vehicle. Failing to abide by this law may lead to impoundment and a fine equal to the value of the vehicle.

Mexican citizens who are not also U.S. citizens or LPRs may not operate U.S.-registered vehicles in Mexico. Mexican insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. Drivers involved in accidents, even minor incidents, may be subject to arrest if they are found to be driving without proper insurance, regardless of whether they were at fault. Driving under the influence of alcohol, using a mobile device while driving, and driving through a yellow light are all illegal in Mexico.

If you drive your vehicle into Mexico beyond the immediate border area (approximately 12 miles into Mexico), you must apply for a temporary vehicle import permit with Mexican customs, Banjercito , or at some Mexican consulates in the United States. The permit requires the presentation of a valid passport and a monetary deposit that will be returned to you upon leaving Mexico before the expiration of the permit. Failing to apply for a temporary vehicle import permit may lead to impoundment and a fine equal to the value of the vehicle. 

Vehicles crossing into Mexico must have a valid license plate and registration sticker. Mexican authorities will often refuse to admit vehicles with temporary or paper license plates. Vehicles with expired registration or unauthorized plates will likely be confiscated and the operator could be charged with a fine equal to the value of the vehicle.

The Mission Mexico Vehicle Recovery Unit  assists with the return of stolen U.S. vehicles recovered by Mexican authorities.

If you have an emergency while driving, dial “911.” If you are driving on a toll highway (“cuota”) or any other major highway, you may contact the Green Angels (Spanish only), a fleet of trucks with bilingual crews, by dialing 078 from any phone in Mexico.  Generally, individuals involved in an accident who do not require immediate medical care should contact their insurance providers, who may come to the site to provide an immediate assessment.

Public Transportation/Taxis:  Security on public buses varies throughout the country but is considered a relatively safe transportation option in Mexico City and other major tourist centers. Passengers should protect their personal possessions at all times as theft is common. Intercity bus travel should be conducted during daylight hours in preferably first-class buses using toll roads.

Robberies and assaults on passengers in taxis not affiliated with a taxi stand (known as “libre” taxis) are common. Avoid taking any taxi not summoned by telephone or contacted in advance, including “libre” taxis. When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi or “sitio” (regulated taxi stand) and ask the dispatcher for the driver’s name and the taxi’s license plate number. Application-based car services such as Uber and Cabify are available in many Mexican cities, and generally offer another safe alternative to taxis. Official complaints against Uber and other drivers do occur, however, and past disputes between these services and local taxi unions have occasionally turned violent, resulting in injuries to U.S. citizens in some instances.

See our Road Safety page for more information. 

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Mexico’s Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Mexico’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Mexico should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .  Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

If you enter by sea, review the Mexican boating permit requirements  prior to travel or contact the  Embassy of Mexico  in Washington, D.C., for more information.

Maritime Safety Oversight:  The Mexican maritime industry, including charter fishing and recreational vessels, is subject solely to Mexican safety regulations.  Travelers should be aware that Mexican equipment and vessels may not meet U.S. safety standards or be covered by any accident insurance.

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Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Mexico . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Uttarakhand: No entry for tourists in Nainital, Mussoorie without hotel bookings

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL NEWS , UTTARAKHAND / Created : Dec 30, 2022, 14:22 IST

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The decision was taken during a meeting of Uttarakhand police, which was chaired by State Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Kumar at police headquarters.

The decision was taken during a meeting of Uttarakhand police, which was chaired by State Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Kumar at police headquarters. Read less

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Most Beautiful Visa-Free Countries For Indians

Here is the list of 72 most beautiful visa-free countries for indians, 1. thailand - the gateway to southeast asia..

This country in South-East Asia is popular for its opulent temples, delicious food, rich cultural heritage and extremely friendly locals. The hospitality of the Thai people is unmatched and this can be seen from every corner of the country. Some of the islands like Koh Samui, Phi Phi and Koh Pha Ngan have also become a tourist hotspot. Visa: No Visa (updated November 2023) Requirements: Passport with at least 6-months validity, A digital photo of you taken in the last 3 months, Your travel dates, Airline Confirmation, Accommodation Details, Credit/debit card or PayPal account for payment Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate ( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

2. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a land of ancient ruins, religious relics, palm-fringed beaches and colourful reefs, balmy rainforests, and local legends. Southern India meets Buddhist Asia. Visa:  No Visa (updated November 2023) Requirements:  ETA  A passport that is valid for a minimum period of 6 months. Airside transit and exit from Srilanka. Travel Documents Proof of sufficient funds for stay Booking details of the stay

3. Malaysia - Truly Asia

Malaysia is actually Asia in true sense. The extremely diverse Malaysia is like two countries clubbed into one separated in half by the South China Sea. While one side if Malaysia is a peninsular region which constitutes of the bustling cities, modern towns, colonial buildings, tea plantations; the other side are the widespread jungles. The only thing that unites everything is FOOD! Visa:  No Visa (updated December 2023) Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity Travel Documents Travel itinerary Return flight ticket with E-Ticket number Hotel reservation or invitation letter from your host Work or Residence Permit if living abroad Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

4. Maldives - A Tropical Haven For Honeymooners

Known For : Stay in an Overwater Bungalow Diving in Maldives Snorkelling in Maldives

This archipelago found in the Indian Ocean south-west of Sri Lanka attracts a large number of travellers because of their white sandy beaches and crystal clear ocean waters. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: Valid for 30 days. Can be extended to 90 days Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Best Time: December to April

103 Maldives Attractions

5. Bhutan - The Happiest Country in All of Asia

Bhutan is one of India's neighbours and a country with which we share good relations. It is known for being the pioneers of the concept of Gross National Happiness Index. Bhutan is a beautiful country with a diverse landscape and wildlife. It promotes tourism and welcomes foreigners but also imposes a fee of USD 250 per day which covers the environmental impact tourism has on the country. But for Indians, no such tax is imposed nor do they require any visa. One can travel to Bhutan by their only national airlines Druk Air or by land. The Government of Bhutan is acutely aware of its unique culture and environment and only allows a limited number of tourists to enter the country at a time. Visa: No Visa (open from 23rd September 2022)  Condition: Seven-day entry-cum-stay permit from the border offices Requirements: 6-month valid Indian Passport Two passport-sized photograph Voter ID Booking Details of your stay A copy of the marriage certificate for couples Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

6. Nepal - On Top of the World

Nepal is India's Northern neighbour, and both share a 'special relationship' which allows the citizens of both the country to move freely across the border. One can go to Nepal without any passport or a visa and can stay and work in the country. Being home to the world's highest mountain Mount Everest, Nepal receives a flock of tourists. Nepal is a beautiful country which has landscapes of various elevations and beautiful countryside. The sights are enthralling and so is the culture and as an Indian citizen, you can easily visit this country by air or road. Moreover, if you are a trekking enthusiast, you cannot give Nepal a miss. Being it next to India, this visa-free country for Indians can also be visited via a road trip! Visa: No Visa Condition: Indian citizens can work and live in Nepal according to the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Requirements: Indian Nationals must possess any of the following documents: Passport Voter ID Driving License Ration Card An ID issued by Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

7. Indonesia - Where Culture Meets Nature

Indonesia is a kaleidoscope of taste, sight, sound, and smells bottled up in the world's largest archipelago. Spread out over a mind-boggling 17,000 islands, the country offers a vast melange of experiences begging to be sampled by visitors from across the world. Ranging from the smouldering volcanoes of central Java to the verdant expanses of Bali's rice terraces, from Jakarta's sprawling luxury malls to the untouched marine biosphere of Rajah Ampat and the lush rainforests of Borneo, Indonesia is ripe for adventure for the eager tourist. Visa: Visa on arrival Requirements: A valid passport that does not expire for another 6 months from the date of your arrival Return Tickets Vaccination:  Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

8. Turkey - A Land of Culture with Modern Twist

Settled on the border of Asia and Europe, Turkey is an archive of Islamic Middle East impact and the influence of Christian European West. Turkey at present represents a modern and westernised culture that exists along with its more exotic and esoteric side hidden from the outside world. Explore the dual sides of the country with the natural panoramic landscape, historic places, fertile valleys, huge mountain ranges, rugged coastline and quaint villages. The capital city of Istanbul is the heartbeat of the country buzzing with cafes, bustling bazaars, the aroma of spices, enchanting belly dancers, nightclubs and hammams. Visa: E-Visa Conditions: Indians can apply for E-visa or get a visa on arrival if they are passport holders with a valid visa or resident permit from UK/US/Schengen/Ireland states. Requirements: A 6-month valid passport and other travel documents Return ticket Booking details of the stay Sufficient funds, at least USD 50 per day Travel Insurance Vaccination:  Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

9. Cambodia - A Country Rich in Heritage & Natural Beauty

Cambodia is a country steeped in history. In spite of years and years of struggle, the country has emerged today as a nation with an infectious spirit seen in its people and a tourism business that is flourishing. Home of the famous Angkor Wat and numerous other temples, this country is intoxicating in its beauty, to say the least. Apart from the historical and the cultural, Cambodia is also urbane, boasting of beautiful Phnom Penh, the capital and tonnes of restaurants serving delicious cuisine. Visa:  E-Visa and Visa on Arrival Conditions:  Stay valid for 30 days Applicant Photo,  Passport Personal Details Scan,  Last Page of Passport

10. Seychelles, Seychelles - The Honeymoon Paradise

Known For : Anse Lazio Snorkeling in Seychelles Sunbathing in Seychelles

This smallest populated country but a group of over 100 islands within the African archipelago across the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is officially called the “Republic of Seychelles”. A member of the African Union, the more substantial portion of Seychelles is uninhabited and expanded with nature and her resources. Although sultry in climate, prominent parts of the islands are known to be tropical rainforests. Increased humidity is felt between December and April with March and April as the torrid months. Visa: No Visa Condition: No entry for Kosovo passport holders Requirements: Visitor’s permit Valid passport from the period of arrival to departure Minimum of 1 blank page for passport stamping Valid round-trip air tickets Yellow fever certificate, if coming from a prone country

Best Time: April to May, September to October

96 Seychelles Attractions

11. Laos - The Land of Serenity and Bountiful Nature

This South-East Asian country shares a border with Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. Known for its spectacular landscape, the country comprises of lofty mountains, lush jungles, glistening rice fields and tea leaves covering the mountain surface. The remote tribal villages, ancient Buddhist caves, rich cultural heritage. Visa: E-visa Conditions: Only single entry allowed. One can stay for 30 days after entry. Requirements: Applicant Photo Passport Personal Details Scan A passport valid for more than 6 months on the day of arrival in Laos.

12. Kenya - The Country That'll Leave You With Memories For a Lifetime

Best known for the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya has a rich history and the tribal culture of the capital city is well depicted by the astounding landmarks, attracting vacationers from all across the globe. The perfect blend of people and attractions has the most thrilling national park, beautiful museums and great markets. Visa: Free (Updated December 2023) Conditions: Visa is valid for 90 days Requirements: Last Page of Passport, Applicant Photo, Passport Personal Details Scan, Proof of Accommodation, Airline Confirmation Vaccination: Should have a   valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

13. Mauritius - Indian Ocean's Island Paradise.

Known For : Black River Gorges National Park Seven Coloured Earth of Chamarel Scuba Diving in Mauritius

Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean which was once colonised by the Dutch, French and British. It is a diverse country which is home to people of various ethnicities and religious communities. Mauritius is a beautiful country surrounded by white sandy beaches and one of the world's most extensive coral reefs. It has a tropical climate and is home to rare species of flora and fauna. It is visited by a huge number of tourists to enjoy the natural beauty of the islands. Indians can visit the country without any visa and can stay in the country for a maximum of 60 days. Visa: Visa on Arrival Condition: 60 Day Visa on arrival Requirements: Booking Details of stay Sponsor letter 6-month valid Indian Passport Two recent passport size photo Confirmed return ticket 60 days Sufficient funds (USD 100 for per day expense) Vaccination:  Should have a  valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 15 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Best Time: July to October (winter)

146 Mauritius Attractions

14. Singapore - The Quintessential Cosmopolitan

Known For : Gardens by the Bay Sentosa Island Universal Studios Singapore

Representing the spirit of modern Asia, Singapore is a small and progressive island-nation. It is both a city and a country located in Southeast Asia. In Singapore, one can witness the vibrant fusion of cultures, ethnicity, communities and most importantly, people. The place is a complete package full of excitement, surprises and charm, especially for the first time visitors. Visa: E-Visa Conditions: Indian Nationals with a passport can apply for Singapore tourist visa that allows a stay for a maximum of 30 days. They need to have a Visa before their arrival. Requirements: 6-month valid passport with a minimum of two blank pages. Duly filled visa application and form Confirmed return tickets Two recent passport size photographs A covering letter with details of traveller. Sufficient funds for stay - Original Bank statements. Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Best Time: January to November

270 Singapore Attractions

15. Madagascar

An island found just of the course of south-east Africa. Famous for its towering rainforests and diverse wildlife, make it the perfect destination for wildlife lovers. Its landscape makes it perfect for adventure sports such as hiking, kitesurfing,rock-climbing and kitesurfing. Visa:  E-visa  Conditions: Passport should be valid for at least six months before the date of arrival and should have at least two blank pages. Single entry visa only. Requirements: A credit/debit card or a PayPal account Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination), A negative RT-PCR report taken within 72 hours before boarding.

16. Moldova

Found between Romania and Ukraine, this pastoral country has acres of farmlands and a large number of vineyards. Moldova doesn’t get nearly as much attention as the other European countries but it’s rich culture, monasteries, museums and cathedrals make for an interesting travel destination. Visa: E-visa Requirements: Applicant Photo, Passport Personal Details Scan, Return Ticket, Proof of Accommodation, Bank Statement, Travel Medical Insurance Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

17. Myanmar

Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is a South-East Asian country surrounded by Bangladesh, Thailand and Laos. It’s beautiful Buddhist temples and picturesque lakes make Myanmar a popular tourist destination. Visa:  E-visa Conditions:  single entry with a total of 28 days of stay Requirements:  Passport with at least 6 months of validity,  A scanned color copy of passport bio page,  A recent color passport-sized digital photo,  Credit/debit card or PayPal account for payment Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) or A negative RT-PCR report taken within 72 hours before boarding.

18. Jordan - The Land of Mesmerizing Beauty

Jordan is the Arabic nation that lies on the Eastern bank of the Jordan River. Jordan shares its bores with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel and Palestine. Jordan is home to various ancient and religious sites. Go for the spectacular dead sea, historic and desert landscapes and warm hospitality of the people. Visa: Jordan Pass Conditions: Single Entry, Maximum stay is up to 30 days Requirements: A credit/debit card or a PayPal account, a valid passport with at least 6 months validity Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

This hidden gem is an archipelago of islands tucked away in the western pacific ocean. This tropical paradise also has many remnants from WWII such as the WWII museum, tanks and an infantry lookout. However it’s cool blue waters, colourful coral reefs and diverse marine species make it a divers delight. Visa:  Visa on arrival Requirements: A valid passport with one blank page, Confirmed return ticket, Sufficient funds for stay - Original Bank statements. Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Referred to as the ‘land of a thousand hills’, Rwanda’s lush green forests are home to a variety of species such as mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, leopards, sunbirds, fish eagles and hippos. This makes Rwanda the perfect spot for nature lovers and bird watchers. Visa:  East Africa E-Visa for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda Requirements:  Passport Personal Details Scan, Applicant Photo Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination), A negative RT-PCR report taken within 72 hours before boarding.

21. Saint Lucia

This island country is found in the Caribbean is famous for its scenic beauty and unique sulfur springs that are found all over the island.The ‘pitons’ of Saint Lucia which are volcanic rock formation is a UNESCO world heritage site. This humble little island offers amazing scenery and a rich cultural heritage that will stay with you for a lifetime. Visa:  No visa Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Often called the ‘Cradle of Polynesia’, Samoa is a part of the Polynesian islands and is 3 hours away from New Zealand by plane. This gorgeous island is famous for scuba diving, snorkelling and many other adventure sports. The warmth and the generosity of the Samoan people cannot be understated. Visa:  Permit on Arrival Conditions:  Stay is up to 60 days Requirements:  Passport must be valid up to 6 months,  Blank pages on the passport must be present,  Passport photo Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination), A negative RT-PCR report taken within 48 hours before boarding.

23. Somalia

Found in East Africa near Ethiopia and Kenya, Somalia has many bustling markets, cathedrals and mosques that make for a memorable trip. ‘The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ is another famous tourist attraction which has been around for more than 60 years. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: Visa issued is valid for 90 days with a maximum stay of 30 days. Requirements: Passport valid up to 6 months, 1 blank passport page Vaccination:  Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

24. Tanzania - The Canvas of Natural Beauty

Tucked away in South-East Africa with Kenya to it’s north and Mozambique to the south, Tanzania is an absolute paradise for nature lovers. Home to a wide variety of animals such as lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards the Serengeti National Park is frequently visited by a large number of tourists. The famous Kilimanjaro mountain is also found here. Visa: E-visa Conditions:  The passport must have at least 6 months of validity after the estimated arrival date. Requirements: A passport-quality photo, A copy of your personal passport details, A copy of your airline ticket Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

This West African country offers palm-fringed beaches and hiking trails make it the perfect destination for people who love the outdoors. There are many villages that can be visited by tourists which gives people an idea of how they preserve their culture and practices. Visa: Visa on Arrival Requirements:   A valid passport with one blank page, Confirmed return ticket, Proof of accommodations, Travel Insurance. Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

26. East Timor (Timor-Leste)

This South-East Asian island is right beneath Indonesia and is slowly becoming a hub for tourists. It’s beautiful corals and marine mammals make it ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling. Visit the Delli museum and the Timorese Resistance Archive to see how their vibrant culture has withstood the fires of many wars which shows through in the resilience of the people. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: Single entry with 30 days of stay. Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Tuvalu consists of 9 islands in the South Pacific which are dotted with coral reefs making it the perfect diving spot. Its waters are home to many turtles and tropical fish. It is one of the most beautiful islands in the world, often overlooked due to its location. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: 30 days stay Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Found in East Africa with Kenya to the east and Congo to the west, Uganda is blessed with many rare birds and animals. Kibale National Park in Uganda is home to many animals such as the mountain gorilla, golden monkey, Nile crocodile and the African lion. Visa:  E-visa Conditions:  Valid up to 90 days Requirements:  Last Page of Passport, Applicant Photo, Passport Personal Details Scan, Yellow Fever Vaccination Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Located in southern Africa, sandwiched between Angola and Zimbabwe. Filled with many parks and safari areas Zambia is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts. Its landscape is quite diverse, consisting mainly of meandering rivers, elephant grasslands, rolling hills and majestic waterfalls. Visa:  E-visa Conditions:  Valid for 90 days Requirements:  Applicant Photo, Passport Personal Details Scan, Proof of Accommodation, Airline Confirmation, Cover Letter, Last Page of Passport Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

30. Zimbabwe - Your Dose of Adrenaline

It is the country of wonders and known to be every adrenaline junkie's dreamland, this country has a lot to offer. Despite the struggles it has faced, Zimbabwe is still one of the most popular tourist locations in Africa. Zimbabwe proudly displays its rare blend of music, art, and dance. One cannot help being mesmerized by its beautiful landscapes, captivating art, and exotic wildlife. Visa: E-Visa Conditions: Valid for 90 days Requirements: Applicant Photo, Passport Personal Details Scan, Last Page of Passport, Proof of Accommodation, Proof of Residence, Invitation Letter Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

31. Svalbard

It is a Norwegian archipelago located between Norway and the North Pole. Svalbard is covered in snow through most of the year and is home to the arctic fox and the reindeer. Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis a real visual spectacle is visible from here. Visa: No visa required Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

32. Turks and Caicos Islands

It is a cluster of islands found in the Atlantic Ocean and pool in about a million tourists a year. This tropical paradise has a number of caves and great diving spots. Its untouched waters are home to a large number of coral reefs. Its beaches are also famous for kiteboarding, wakeboarding, parasailing, windsurfing and kayaking. Visa: No visa required for a stay up to 90 days Requirements: A valid passport, a round trip ticket Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Serbia is a landlocked Balkan country in Central Europe. This unique tourist destination is known for its Mountain ranges, spas and Orthodox monasteries. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Visa: No Tourist Visa Requirements:  No visas are required for visits of up to 30 days, within a period of one year for normal passport holders No visas are required for visits of up to 90 days for diplomatic and official passport holders.

34. Fiji - Under the Trees, Against the Beach

Fiji is a beautiful island country in the South Pacific Ocean and has an abundant amount of flora and fauna. The economy of the nation flourishes, and it has a thriving tourism industry. Fiji has a tropical climate, and the weather remains the same throughout the year. Here, you can take walks on the beaches lined with coconut palm trees and indulge in scuba diving. It is the ideal vacation spot especially for Indians as one doesn't need to procure a visa before going to Fiji. You will be given a visitor permit which is valid up to 4 months as long as you have a valid passport. Visa: Visa on Arrival Requirements: Passport Valid for 6 Months Two recent passport-sized photographs Proof of funds such as bank statements Return or Outbound tickets Booking Details of your stay A copy of travel itinerary or ticket Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

35. Dominica - Land of Natural Treasures

Known For : Cabrits National Park Kalinago Barana Aute Trafalgar Falls

Dominica is a Caribbean island country whose economy hugely depends on tourism and agriculture. Dominica is a beautiful tourist destination as it had a diverse landscape consisting of mountains, rainforests, lakes, rivers, national parks and the world's second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake. You can travel to the country through the air or by road and be a part of their vibrant culture. You can take long walks on the beaches, go on a jungle safari or indulge in hiking. Indians do not require a tourist visa and can stay for a maximum of 90 days. Visa: No Visa Conditions: All the citizens of countries that are the contracting parties to the Schengen agreement can stay without a visa for a maximum of 90 days. Requirements: Passport, Proof of funds, Confirmed onward and return ticket, Confirmation of stay. Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Best Time: February to May

9 Dominica Attractions

36. Jamaica - The Land Rich in History and Natural Beauty

Known For : Waterfalls Seven Mile Beach Ras Natango Gallery and Garden

Jamaica is another Caribbean island country and also the fourth largest in the Caribbean sea. It has a humid and hot climate which varies as per the elevation. It is home to a variety of flora like rainforests, coral reefs, wetlands, caves, rivers and a diverse fauna like hummingbirds, red-billed streamertails, a freshwater turtle called Jamaican slider, Jamaican Tody, among others. Jamaica is a beautiful tropical country which can be easily visited by Indian citizens. One doesn't require a visa for entering the nation and can stay up to 14 days without one. Visa: No Visa Condition: Indian Nationals will not need a visa for stay up to 30 days. Requirements:  Passport valid for the period of intended stay, Sufficient funds for stay, Confirmed to and fro tickets, Booking Details for the stay. Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) or a negative RT-PCR report taken within 72 hours before boarding.

Best Time: November to December

8 Jamaica Attractions

37. Saint Kitts and Nevis - The Islandic Duo

Located in Caribbean Basin, Saint Kitts and Nevis is a sovereign island state. The country consists of two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis and is quite small with a population of around 54000. Majority of the people live closer to the sea, and a lot of the rainforests are uninhabited. The country is famous for its vibrant music culture like the annual Saint Kitts Music Festival. Tourism is the backbone of the economy, and the government thoroughly promotes it. It is quite easy to acquire citizenship of this island country. Indian citizens do not have to apply for a visa to visit this country. Visa: No Visa Conditions: For stay more than 30 days, Indian Nationals need to apply for a visa at the Consulate (consular embassy section or high commission) Requirements:  6-month valid passport, Proof of sufficient funds for stay, Return ticket, Booking Details for the stay Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination).

38. Micronesia - Country of 607 Islands

Micronesia is a sovereign island country located in the Pacific Ocean which is administered by the United States. Micronesia consists of various small islands which are not developed. It is a remote country, but it is also has a lot of unexploited natural beauty. You can quickly reach the nation by air. Micronesia has an English speaking population and a unique culture. As an Indian national, you can visit the country easily without a visa and can stay up to 30 days as long as you have a valid passport. Visa: No Visa Conditions: Visa is not required for a minimum stay of 30 days which can be extended to 60 days. Requirements:  A valid passport and other travel document issued by the government that is valid for 120 days or above, A proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay, Booking details of Stay, Return tickets. Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

39. Vanuatu - A Packet of Unexpected Things

Vanuatu, located in the South Pacific Ocean is an independent island nation. It consists of many islands, mostly of volcanic origin. There are many active volcanoes on the island and is home to the animal flying fox. The weather here usually remains hot, and it rains here often. Tourism is a vital source of foreign exchange for the country, and the government promotes it. The country has a diverse culture and a beautiful and serene atmosphere where you can explore the marine life, go for hikes through the forests, or enjoy the music culture of the country. Indians are exempted from a visa and can stay up to a maximum of 30 days. Visa: No Visa Conditions: For a stay of up to 30 days, Visa isn't required. You can apply for the visa if you want your stay extended. Requirements:  A passport valid for 6 months, Proof of sufficient funds for stay, Return tickets, Other travel or government documents. Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

40. El Salvador - Country of Nights & Beaches

El Salvador is a country in Central America that's quite densely populated. The country is inhabited by many volcanoes and has a tropical climate. El Salvador's economy depends highly on tourism, and it is visited mainly for its nightlife and beaches. Surfing is also quite popular among the tourists. El Salvador is an urbanised nation where the official language is Spanish. Indian citizens travelling to this country do not need a visa. Visa: Visa on Arrival Conditions: Tourists can apply for Visa at their arrival and can obtain a tourist card with three months of validity. Requirements: Valid passport for at least six months validity, An application form that's completed and signed, Two passports sized photographs, Copy of return ticket and itinerary, Proof of sufficient funds for stay. Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

41. Macau - Las Vegas of the Far East

Known For : St Paul's Ruins Senado Square The Venetian Macao

Macau is a country on the continent of Asia which is equivalent to the Las Vegas of U.S.A. It was once colonised by the Portuguese and today lies in the Chinese sovereign. People visit the autonomous territory of Macau for its luxurious casinos and hotels. It is an urban city with a coastline. The economy of the country depends highly on tourism and gambling. Macau is a place where you can try your luck as there is a multitude of avenues at your disposal. The travel restrictions into the country are very less and Indians can visit visa-free and can stay for a maximum of 30 days in Macau. Visa: No Visa Condition: For a stay for more than 14 days, Indians can apply for a visa at the Hong Kong immigration office. Requirements: Passport with a minimum of 60 months validity, Return ticket within 14 days out of Hong Kong, Proof of Employment, Booking Details for the stay, International credit and foreign currency. Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Best Time: Middle of October to December.

66 Macau Attractions

42. Oman - Gateway to the Charming Arab World

Oman is an Arab country located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Though there is no diversity in religion here, you will find a variety of tranquil landscapes and sceneries. The beauty of beaches, the history and intricate designs of forts, the lush green mountains, unique wildlife and endless deserts will give you a shot in the arm. You will find local bazaars or souks thrust with handicrafts and the most famous item of Oman-frankincense. Cleanliness along with strict laws will blow away your mind. Kind-hearted, helpful and law-abiding people add up to make this country a must-visit place. Visa:  E-visa Conditions: . Oman Visa will be granted to those who reside in or hold an entry to US/ UK/ Canada/ Australia/ Japan or any of Schengen nations. Oman Tourism has also granted an exemption to the spouse/children of the Visa holder who can avail the visa if they are accompanying the visa holder even if they don't hold a visa to any of the above-mentioned countries. Requirements: A 6 months valid passport, Confirmed ticket and hotel accommodation, Scanned copy of a coloured photograph. Vaccination:  Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) and a negative RT-PCR test result.

43. Grenada - The Spice Island

Located in the Carribean Sea as part of the West Indies, Grenada is popularly known as the land of spices. An island towards the end of a chain of six other islands called the Grenadines, Grenada Island has a volcanic-based surface. Rich in soil fertility, the island is mostly humid during monsoons and is more relaxed during the drier seasons; when rainfall drastically decreases.  Visa: No visa for stay up to 90 days. Requirements: Valid passport for six months from the day of departure, A minimum of one blank page for passport stamping, Round-trip air ticket, Yellow fever certificates (certifying vaccination).  Vaccination:  Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) or a negative RT-PCR report taken within 48 hours before boarding.

44. Haiti - The Former Pearl of the Antilles

Formerly known as Hayti and officially called the ‘Republic of Haiti’, Haiti is the second most populated island of the Great Antilles, one of the significant Caribbean archipelagos. Prone to natural calamities, this highly mountainous island adorns the typical equatorial climate; hot and humid through most of the year. The island receives major rainfall in two cycles; April to June and October to November.  Visa: No Visa for stay up to 90 days  Requirements: (For nationals exempted from visa requirements) Six-month valid passport, Tourist fee of USD 10 to be paid at the airport. Requirements for visa nationals: Filled and attested application form, Two passport size colour photos, Valid passport, Photocopy of round-trip air tickets or booking confirmation, Letter from the traveller’s present employer, Explanation letter regarding the reason and duration of stay, with references in Haiti Name, address and telephone number of the residence or hotel the traveller would be staying in or that of a friend or a family member. The tourist fee would be USD 25, This one-time valid visa is valid for three months. Vaccination:  Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

45. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - The Anglo-Caribbean Island

With a past colonial history, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is now popularly known as Saint Vincent for short. It occupies the southern part of the Lesser Antilles, a portion of the Caribbean which bleeds into South America. The island on the whole consists of 32 other smaller islands, forming the Anglo-Caribbean country. As a result of two major volcanic mountains, the island is rich in fertile soil embedded on volcanic ash and remains. The dry season is usually between January and May, with monsoons from June to December.  Visa: No Visa required for a stay of up to 30 days. Requirements: Valid passport for six months from arrival, Import licenses for any food imports, Yellow fever certificate, Departure tax. Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

46. Senegal - Land of the Pink Lake

This West African country is the hub for some of Africa’s most beautiful landscapes and touristy elements. Some of which are the pink lake, stargazing through the desert, the island of shells and much more. Towards the west of the African continent, the weather in Senegal is typically tropical; also known as Sahelian weather. The least temperature drops to 18 degrees and the highest shoots up to 30 and 32 degrees. Indians can stay in Senegal for up to 90 days without a visa. Visa: No visa Requirements: Valid passport for at least six months from the date of arrival A minimum of two blank pages for passport stamping Valid round-trip air tickets including payment Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

47. Mauritania

This country is located in North-west Africa near Mali and Algeria. Its rich history is preserved in its monuments and ruins. Desert safaris, hiking, kite-surfing and fishing are some of the popular tourist activities. Visa:  Visa on Arrival Requirements:  Valid passport for at least six months from the date of arrival Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

48. Trinidad and Tobago - The Twins of the South

The twin-island country of South West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, formally known as the “The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago” is situated towards the south of Grenada. Famous for its forms of music and festivities; one of which is Diwali, these twin islands see tropical weather for most of the year. Most of the traditions in the island overlap with that of India, such as temples, Hinduism, Hindu festivals etc. Visa: No visa Requirements: A six-month valid passport from the date of arrival to departure, Valid round-trip tickets, Adequate health or medical insurances, Sufficient funds to support the stay Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

49. Montserrat - Emerald Isle

Located in the Caribbean, Monserrat is another significant part of the Lesser Antilles. Damaged by massive volcanic eruptions nearly 25 years ago, this emerald isle has been back in the game only in recent years. Prone to hurricanes, the island adorns an equatorial climate, with lowest temperatures touching around 21 degrees and highest soaring as high as 30 degrees. As part of the territories subjected British jurisdiction, North American culture has had a significant influence on Montserrat. Visa: No visa requirement for stay up to 180 days Condition: 14 days of stay allowed in case of passport absence Requirements: Valid passport from time of arrival to departure, Minimum of one blank page for passport stamping, Valid round-trip tickets. Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

50. Bahrain - Concoction of liberalism, diversity and prosperity

Known For : Arad Fort Reef Island Al-Khamis Mosque

Bahrain is a nation in Arabian Gulf comprising of 30 islands. Geographically, Bahrain is a flat and arid archipelago. The country has rich trading history, therefore, has a large number of archaeological sites and tourist attractions. Manama, the capital of Bahrain was chosen as the Arab Capital of Culture in 2012 and Capital of Arab Tourism in 2013 by the Arab League. Visa: E-Visa Requirements: A photocopy of the photo page of the applicant's passport. Indian passport holders must additionally supply a copy of the passport's last page, A copy of a return air ticket, A copy of your hotel booking in Bahrain, A copy of a stamped bank statement under the visitor's name dated within the past three months with an ending balance of no less than the equivalent of 800 USD.

Best Time: December to March

25 Bahrain Attractions

51. Cape Verde

Cape Verde is a volcanic archipelago in the North-Western coast of Africa and is known for its mixed Creole Portuguese-African culture. Cape Verde offers a pleasant climate with sunshine for the maximum time of the year. Adventure activities like diving, windsurfing, sailing and trekking are very popular among tourists. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: Single entry and a maximum of 30 days stay Requirements: A current valid passport, Your travel dates, A credit/debit card or a Paypal account

52. Comoros

Comoros in a volcanic archipelago in the Eastern Coast of Africa. Comoros has a number of picturesque beaches and mountain sceneries but the tourism industry faces competition from Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion. Visa: Visa on arrival Requirements: a valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months beyond your date of arrival

53. Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire)

Ivory Coast or Cote d’Ivoire is a Western-African country with aa rich French colonial history. The country has beautiful beaches and rainforests. There are some hiking trails in Banko National Park which is a preserved rainforest. Photo safaris are very popular in the forests of Ivory Coast. Visa: E-visa Conditions: Multiple entries, maximum of 30 days stay Requirements: Passport Personal Details Scan, Return Ticket, Proof of Accommodation

54. Djibouti

Djibouti is located in the horn of Africa and shares borders with Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea. The language spoken is French, Arabic, Somali and Afar. Lake Assal, the lowest point on earth is located in this small country. The country offers diverse landscapes including salt lakes, extinct volcanoes, huge canyons and sunken plains. Visa:  E-visa Conditions:  Single entry, up to 90 days of stay Requirements:  Applicant Photo, Passport Personal Details Scan, Airline Confirmation, Proof of Accommodation

55. Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a land-locked country located in the horn of Africa. Ethiopia has a rich history with archaeological finds that date back to more than 3 million years! Ethiopia had escaped "scramble for Africa" and is said to have retained its cultural identity. Ethiopia is a popular adventure trip and trekking destination. The country has 9 of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Visa: E-visa Requirements: Applicant Photo, Passport Personal Details Scan, Last Page of Passport

Gabon lies on the western coast of central Africa. 11.25% of the country's land is preserved as national parkland. Gabon offers a variety of landscapes from white-sand beaches to rainforests to savannas. You may even find hippopotamuses play on the beaches! Visa: E-visa Conditions: Visa valid till 30 days of arrival Requirements: Applicant Photo, Passport Personal Details Scan

57. Georgia

This former Soviet-Republic lies in the intersection of Europe and Asia. From Caucasus Mountain villages to Black Sea beaches, Georgia offers diverse landscapes. Other than that, the winemaking industry in Georgia dates back to 8000 years! Georgia is a favourite destination for history and nature lovers. Visa: E-visa Conditions: Multiple entries, valid till 30 days per entry Requirements: Copy of passport personal details, Passport photo, Accommodation details, Your travel dates, Credit/debit card or PayPal Account

58. Cook Islands

Consisting of 15 small islands, the Cook Islands is a free governing island country located in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. Spread over 770,000 square miles of sea, it is a perfect vacation destination with beaches, mountains and deep jungles. Swimming with the turtles is a loved activity, like snorkelling, sightseeing and cycle tours.  Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: 31-day stay allowed Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return/onward tickets  Hotel booking Proof of travel purpose Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

59. Marshall Islands

Officially known as the Republic of the Marshall Islands consists of 1200 islands and islets in the Pacific Ocean, spread about 180,000 square miles of the sea. The crystal clear waters of the lagoons is a sight to behold, while coral reefs and beautiful marine life is a perfect chance to go snorkelling and swimming. Do indulge in one of the most famous diving activities at Bikini Atoll.  Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: 30-day stay allowed; can be extended to 90 days. Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return tickets  Travel Documents Proof of Measles Vaccination Vaccination : Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

Being one of the smallest countries in the world, Niue is a beautiful island with one of the largest coral reef atolls. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean with a land area of 261 square kilometres. Don’t be surprised to see strangers greet you; you will see it a lot here. Explore the caves, beaches, rock pools and beautiful reefs.  Visa: No Visa Conditions: 30-day stay allowed Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return tickets  Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) and negative PCR Test results.

Iran is a country in southwest Asia, also known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, with an area of 1,648,195 km² covered by two water bodies, i.e., the Gulf of Oman in the south and the Caspian sea in the north. The country has fascinating historical and religious sites, museums, gardens and great places to shop and eat authentic food.  Visa: Visa on arrival Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Grant Notice Proof of return tickets Travel itinerary Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination).

62. Qatar - Royalty Redefined

In just forty years, this Gulf state has grown from one of the poorest countries in the Gulf to the richest in the world. Mainly functioning on oil and natural gas revenue, Qatar is developing at breakneck speed, and everything from universities to shopping malls, 5-star hotels to football stadiums (in preparation for the 2022 World Cup) are springing up along the desert floor. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: 30-day stay allowed Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return/onward tickets  Hotel booking Proof of travel purpose Travel Insurance Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

63. Albania

Packed with adventure and beautiful landscapes, Albania is a beautiful country in southeastern Europe waiting to be discovered. With an area of 28,748 km², the place has it all, from majestic mountains for hiking and trekking, the Ionian coasts with beautiful clear waters, Marianas( ports for tourists) to beautiful dynamic cities.  Visa:  E-visa or No visa if you have a Schengen/UK/US visa Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and two blank visa page Proof of return tickets Proof of funds for the stay Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) and negative PCR Test results 72 hours before boarding the flight.

64. Barbados

Brimming with life, Barbados has everything from activities and attractions to beaches, adventure, nightlife, culinary experience, and history & heritage. It is an island country located in the Caribbean region of the Americas. Also known as the birthplace of rum, make sure to taste one of the oldest rum.  Visa: No visa for a stay up to 90 days Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return tickets  Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

65. British Virgin Islands - The Gem of Caribbean

Known For : The Baths Rhone Marine Park (Salt Island) Fallen Jerusalem National Park

An overseas territory of Britain, British Virgin Islands is nothing but beautiful and an enchanting place to be. With still a major chunk of the islands untouched, this archipelago features all the gorgeous things from rolling green hills, verdant mountainous landscape, reef-lined sparkling beaches and popular shipwrecks. Visa: No visa Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return/onward tickets  Hotel booking Proof of Evident funds Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

13 British Virgin Islan Attractions

66. Bolivia - The Roof Top of the World.

Bolivia is an expansive, landlocked plateau of barren plains, lush jungles, fertile highland valleys, and snow-capped Andean peaks. Bolivia is a country of wonders situated in west-central South America. This country is filled with wonders. Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest deposit of salt in the world. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: 30-day stay Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return/onward tickets  Hotel booking Proof of financial resources Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination)

67. Botswana

Botswana is a country in southern Africa with a total area of 581,730 square kilometres. This place lets you take a closer peek into the area's wildlife with multiple activities and safari tours. If you are a nature lover, then this place is just right for you, where you can camp in many national parks of Botswana.   Visa: E-visa Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return tickets Proof of accommodations Travel itinerary Marriage certificate for couples Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) and negative PCR Test results 72 hours before boarding the flight.

68. Burundi

Located in East-central Africa, Burundi is a land of four mystical corners with hills, beaches, clear water lakes and serene rain forests. It is a vacation destination filled with culture, heritage, nature and delicious diverse cuisines. One such place you should not miss out on! Visa: Visa on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity Two passport-size photos Proof of return tickets Hotel bookings Yellow Fever vaccination certificate Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) and negative PCR Test results 72 hours before boarding the flight.

69. Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is a mix and match of landscape, people, culture, animal and plant life. The country is located west of Africa, right next to the Atlantic Ocean, spread over 36,125 square kilometres. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: 30-day stay allowed Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return/onward tickets  Hotel bookings Yellow fever vaccination certificate Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) and negative PCR Test results 42 hours before boarding the flight.

70. Mozambique - The mascot of coastal elegance.

Known For : Praia do Tofo FEIMA - Feira de Artesanato, Flores e Gastronomica Inhaca Island

Mozambique is an African coastal country adjacent to South Africa. The Great Indian Ocean shares the coast.  The historical monuments, the blue-lined coasts, green-topped forests, the flavour of the authentic Mozambiquan cuisine and the flawlessly crafted artworks all stay loyal to preserving Mozambique's top spot on the tourists' wish list. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: 30-day stay Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return/onward tickets  Hotel booking Proof of financial resources Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination Entry Form Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) and a negative PCR Test result taken within 72 hours before boarding the flight.

Best Time: May to November

8 Mozambique Attractions

71. Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, a country in western Africa, boarded by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, is a perfect destination for a close-to-nature vacation. It is surrounded by hills, valleys, lagoons, wildlife, and beautiful landscapes. The secret beaches with serene sunset and sunrise views are a sight to behold. Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: 30-day stay allowed Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return/onward tickets  Hotel bookings Yellow fever vaccination certificate Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination) and a negative PCR Test result before boarding the flight.

72. Tunisia

Tunisia is a perfect sand and sea holiday destination with its Mediterranean coast and white sandy beaches. The thrilling water activities, swimming in the clear waters, and fresh fish cuisines add up to a splendid experience. The other part of the country is forested and deserted.  Visa: Visa on arrival Conditions: 90-day stay allowed Requirements: Passport with at least 6-month validity and one blank visa page Proof of return/onward tickets  Hotel booking Vaccination: Should have a valid COVID 19 vaccination certificate( at least 14 days have passed since the second dose of vaccination).

As an Indian national, one has visa-free access to these countries, thus granting one a lot of freedom to travel and see the world. Some of the most beautiful and culturally different visa-free countries for Indians have been mentioned above which are worth adding to your bucket list.

This post was published by Holidify.com

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'No to tickets, yes to services and housing': Venetians protest €5 tourist entry fee

Venice residents have rallied against a day-tripper fee for visitors, implemented to combat excess tourism.

Protesters argue that the fee turns the famous city into a 'theme park' and that it won't address the real issues they face.

Hundreds of Venetians marched though the city's main bus terminal holding banners reading “No to Tickets, Yes to Services and Housing”.

Protesters scuffled briefly with police with riot gear who blocked them from entering the city, before changing course and entering over another bridge escorted by plainclothes police officers. The demonstration eventually wrapped up peacefully in a piazza.

Fake signs and hunger strikes: What’s behind Europe’s backlash against overtourism?

‘Go f*cking home’: The European cities where locals are fighting back against overtourism

Why has Venice introduced a first of its kind day-tripper fee?

Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launched a pilot program on Thursday to charge day-trippers a €5 entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more liveable for its dwindling residents.

The requirement applies only for people arriving between 8.30 am and 4 pm. Outside of those hours, access is free and unchecked.

Venice has long suffered under the pressure of overtourism . Officials say pre-pandemic estimates ranging from 25 million to 30 million visitors a year are not reliable and that the pilot project also aims to come up with more exact figures.

The city is strained when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000, according to the city’s top tourism official, Simone Venturini. Its narrow alleyways are clogged with people and water taxis packed, making it difficult for residents to go about their business.

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Breaking news, venice begins charging entry fees to curb mass tourism — here’s why residents are protesting in the streets.

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They want it gone-dola.

Venice began charging day trippers a 5 euro ($5.36) entry fee this week, reportedly in order to protect the UNESCO World Heritage Site from the adverse effects of over-tourism — but weary locals say the measure is just a drop in the bucket, and could end up sinking the struggling city.

Angry activists took to the streets, passageways and canals of the proud former maritime republic on Thursday to protest the new scheme, saying that Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro — who commended his own, Marco Polo-level “bravery” in making the unprecedented move — has now turned one of the world’s most romantic destinations into little more than a “theme park,” The Guardian reported.

“I can tell you that almost the entire city is against it,” claimed Matteo Secchi, who leads Venessia.com, a residents’ activist group. “You can’t impose an entrance fee to a city; all they’re doing is transforming it into a theme park. This is a bad image for Venice … I mean, are we joking?”

Venice is the first major city in the world to take the step, at a time when popular destinations around the world — from Barcelona to America’s top national parks — suffer from overexposure.

Brugnaro hoped, he said, that the fee would make the city “livable” again. Constituents instead took to the streets on Thursday to protest, saying that real action is required to correct the various issues plaguing the city of canals.

Venice has lost more than 120,000 residents since the 1950s. The local population is now typically dwarfed by the many looky-loos who crowd onto the celebrated string of urbanized islands on a daily basis.

The fee can be paid online — the traveler will then receive a QR code that can be scanned at a number of strategic entry points. Tickets can be purchased on arrival if preferred, but random checks will be carried out and fines levied — between 50 and 300 euros — for those attempting to evade the pedestrian congestion charge.

For now, the fee will only apply on a string of peak days through mid-July, while the city evaluates the program. Locals, commuters, students and children under the age of 14 are exempt, as are those who can show an overnight hotel reservation.

A spokesperson for the council told reporters that 5,550 people had booked for Thursday, the inaugural date, bringing in roughly $30,000. While the city has denied the accusation that the fee is merely a cash grab, it has promised to cut taxes if the program takes root.

Critics contend that the fee won’t even scratch the surface of the real problems facing Venice .

Federica Toninello, leader of a local housing association: “They think this measure will solve the problem, but they haven’t really understood the consequences of mass tourism on a city like Venice.

“For a start, 5 euros will do nothing to deter people. But day trippers aren’t the issue; things like the shortage of affordable housing are … What we need are policies to help residents, for example, making rules to limit things like Airbnb .”

Others were sounding a more positive note.

“It will serve to collect fundamental data and help regulate tourist flows, which during certain periods of the year risking damaging a fragile city like Venice,” said Tommaso Sichero, the president of the association for Venice shop owners, in an interview with the Avvenire newspaper.

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The tourist favourites cracking down on overcrowding with entry fees and taxes

Venice's €5 charge to enter its historic centre is a world first. we look at the cities, islands and a village that could try something similar – and which already have tourist taxes.

Venice’s €5 daytripper fee, a ban on new hotels in Amsterdam and plans to charge for entry to a square in Seville are the types of strict new measures sought to curb overcrowding caused by tourism.

Italy’s most tourist-addled city began its new, controversial measure on Thursday in which authorities will choose 30 dates each year to charge the levy. Day tourists will need to pay via a portal that will generate a QR code. During the trial period of the scheme, visitors will be able to pay authorities directly if they are stopped and don’t have a code.

The charge only applies to Venice ’s historic centre, which makes it feasible to have patrols to enforce its payment.

Larger cities, or islands or regions that are experiencing similar problems may struggle to recreate this model.

Bali’s entry fee – and other contenders for the Venice model

The closest example is perhaps Bali, which introduced a tourist levy of around £8 per person on 14 February. Unlike most tourist taxes, it is paid directly by the visitor, rather than being added to hotel room or cruise charges.

Payment for this can be made online or on arrival at designated counters at Bali ’s seaport or airport. However, some reports suggest that only around 60 per cent of visitors have been paying this charge.

Wayan Puspa Negara, a tourism leader, told the Bali Sun that the system “has many holes”.

He suggested that tourist attractions, hotels and restaurants could act as checkpoints to see if visitors have paid.

Since 26 March, officials have been stopping tourists to see if they have the tourism tax levy voucher that is emailed to them once they have made the payment.

Smaller victims of overtourism could be the next contenders for bringing in a form of day visitor entry charge. The Italian city of Como, which received as many as 1.4 million visitors a year has considered a tax that would also apply to daytrippers. Alessandro Rapinese, the mayor of Como, told The Times: “We are already discussing the idea (of a tourist levy). Revolutions begin with concrete measures and we are ready for this long journey.”

An entry fee could also work in Hallstatt, in the mountainous area of Salzkammergut in Austria. The lakeside village of around 800 residents can attract thousands of tourists each day – and up to one million each year – thanks to its resemblance to the town of Arendelle in Frozen .

Residents of the Unesco-listed village protested against tourist crowds last year by installing a fence to block a view that was popular with selfie takers. There were also calls for limits on the number of daytrippers and capping the number of tourist buses that stop in Hallstatt.

Barcelona , meanwhile, has recently found a new tactic for controlling visitor behaviour.

“In Barcelona, removing a bus route from Google Maps appears to have been successful in reducing large tourist numbers from a particular area in the city,” says Siobhán Daly, who has an MSC in responsible tourism management.

She adds: “It is unclear if this technological strategy will have long-term success.”

As a city of more than 1.6 people residents, Barcelona could not effectively recreate the model being tested in Venice. It could go down the route of Seville, however, and charge for entry to the most crowded parts of the city.

In February, Seville’s mayor, José Luis Sanz, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “We are planning to close Plaza de España and charge tourists to finance its conservation and ensure its safety.”

He specified that locals would still have free access.

For now, Barcelona has raised its tourist tax. Visitors who stay in Barcelona overnight pay €3.25 (£2.80) per day, as well as a regional tourist tax that varies depending on the type of accommodation chosen. People who visit the city on a cruise are charged €6.25 (£5.36).

The city is also phasing out the number of cruise ships that can visit. After the closure of one terminal and the introduction of a one ship per terminal rule, only just ships can dock in the city at one time.

Dubrovnik has faced similar problems to Barcelona with 4.5 million overnight stays recorded in 2023, up 11 per cent compared to 2022. In 2018, its mayor capped the number of cruise ships that could visit the city to two per day.

This month, the city council was set to pass a regulation that would ban new rental permits in the Old Town and its surrounding area. Meanwhile, last summer, Croatia’s second city Split brought it measures to crack down on rowdy visitors, including fines for drinking, sleeping, vomiting or urinating in public places. The highest fines could reach €4,000 (£3,431).

As in many communities negatively affected by mass tourism, a residents’ group was pushing for change.

The protests in the Canary Islands are the most recent, and perhaps loudest, example of a tide of dissent against tourism that encroaches on the lives of residents.

Last Saturday, tens of thousands of protestors marched in the streets of the Canary Islands to call for change from mass tourism.

Tenerife Cabildo, the island’s governing body, has proposed an entry fee to visit natural and protected areas of the island. The measures are being voted for on Friday and will be similar to those in place at Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote.

However, the Canarian Government has rejected calls for a tourist tax.

The time capsule Dutch city with no tourism bans

Alongside Barcelona and Dubrovnik, tens of destinations across the world have implemented this approach, including Spain’s Balearic Islands, where a per-day fee is applied to accommodation costs.

Dr Lauren A Siegel, a senior lecturer in tourism and events management at the University of Greenwich, says: “There are a spectrum of responses that destinations are taking to address overtourism (which can occur on a small scale in a particularly rural or upcoming destinations).

“[These approaches] range from softer approaches like a campaign to encourage better behaviours, for example, the Icelandic Pledge (where visitors agree to a list of sustainable tourism practices) or the Tiaki Promise in New Zealand (Tiaki means to care for people and place), to stricter actions like limits on arrival numbers.”

Which other places have a tourist tax?

Bhutan has the world’s highest tourist tax, known as a sustainable development fee. It was reduced last year, but it is still $100 a night for adult visitors. The kingdom also requires a $40 (£32) visa for all visitors.

In Europe, Amsterdam has the highest tourist tax. Visitors staying in the city pay a room tax of 12.5 per cent, as well as a €3 (£2.80) per person, per night fee.

Several other European countries, including France, Germany, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Czechia, and Slovenia charge taxes to overnight tourists in some areas.

Italy, Croatia and the Netherlands also apply tourist levies beyond their most overcrowded cities.

Japan, Malaysia and most Caribbean islands charge a tax while visitors to New Zealand must pay an international visitor conservation and tourism levy of NZ $35 (£16.60).

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Venice tests a 5-euro entry fee for day-trippers as the Italian city grapples with overtourism

Tourists arrive outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourist information boards are seen outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Porters wait for tourists outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Workers prepare the tourist tax cashier desks outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourists arrive at the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Marco Bettini, director of Venis Informatics System, gestures as he explains the Venice density to reporters at the police Venice control room in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Workers prepare banner explaining how to pay the tourist tax in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Venice councillor Simone Venturini speaks with reporters in front of a tourist tax totem in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Marco Bettini, director of Venis Informatics System, gestures as he talks to reporters at the police Venice control room, in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

People stand in front of an information board explaining how to pay the tourist tax in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourists ride on a ferry boat in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourists take pictures at the St. Mark square in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

By COLLEEN BARRY (Associated Press)

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launched a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro ($5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents.

Visitors arriving at Venice’s main train station were greeted with large signs listing the 29 dates through July of the plan’s test phase that also designated separate entrances for tourists, and residents, students and workers.

“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’’ said Simone Venturini, the city’s top tourism official. “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”

Not all residents, however, are persuaded of the efficacy of the new system in dissuading mass tourism , insisting that only a resurgence in the population will restore balance to a city where narrow alleyways and water buses are often clogged with tourists.

Hundreds of Venetians protested against the program, marching festively though the city’s main bus terminal behind banners reading “No to Tickets, Yes to Services and Housing.” Protesters scuffled briefly with police with riot gear who blocked them from entering the city, before changing course and entering over another bridge escorted by plainclothes police officers. The demonstration wrapped up peacefully in a piazza.

Tourists arriving at the main station encountered almost as many journalists as stewards on hand to politely guide anyone unaware of the new requirements through the process of downloading the QR code to pay the fee.

Arianna Cecilia, a tourist from Rome visiting Venice for the first time, said she thought it was “strange” to have to pay to enter a city in her native country, and be funneled through separate entrance ways for tourists. She and her boyfriend were staying in nearby Treviso, and so downloaded the QR code as required. But she was still caught off-guard while soaking in her first view ever of Venice’s canals by the sight of the entrance signs and her boyfriend telling her to get out the ticket.

On the other side of the entrance ways, workers in yellow vests carried out random checks at the train station. Transgressors face fines of 50 to 300 euros ($53 to $320), but officials said “common sense” was being applied for the launch.

The requirement applies only for people arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, access is free and unchecked.

Venice has long suffered under the pressure of overtourism, and officials hope that the pilot project can help provide more exact figures to better manage the phenomenon.

The city can track the number of hotel visitors, which last year numbered 4.6 million and is down 16% from pre-pandemic highs. But the number of day visitors, which make up the majority of the crowds in Venice, could only be estimated until recently.

A Smart Control Room set up during the pandemic has been tracking arrivals from cellphone data, roughly confirming pre-pandemic estimates of 25 million to 30 million arrivals a year, said Michele Zuin, the city’s top economic official. That includes both day-trippers and overnight guests.

But Zuin said the data is incomplete.

“It’s clear we will get more reliable data from the contribution” being paid by day-trippers, he said.

Venturini said the city is strained when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000. On peak days, local police set up one-way traffic for pedestrians to keep the crowds moving.

Residents opposing the day-tripper tax insist that the solution to Venice’s woes are to boost the resident population and the services they need, limiting short-term rentals to make available more housing and attract families back from the mainland.

Last year, Venice passed a telling milestone when the number of tourist beds exceeded for the first time the number of official residents, which is now below 50,000 in the historic center with its picturesque canals.

“Putting a ticket to enter a city will not decrease not even by one single unit the number of visitors that are coming,’’ said Tommaso Cacciari, an activist who organized a protest Thursday against the measure.

“You pay a ticket to take the metro, to go to a museum, an amusement park. You don’t pay a ticket to enter a city. This is the last symbolic step of a project of an idea of this municipal administration to kick residents out of Venice,” he said.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro declared the launch day, coinciding with an Italian holiday, a success, registering 15,700 paying visitors, 50% more than anticipated.

More than 97,000 others had downloaded a QR code denoting an exemption, including to work in Venice or as a resident of the Veneto region. Hotels in Venice, including in mainland districts like Marghera or Mestre, provided a QR code for visitors to attest to their stay, which includes a hotel tax — accounting for 40,000 of those.

Venturini, the tourist official, said that interest in Venice’s pilot program has been keen from other places suffering from mass tourism, including other Italian art cities, and municipalities abroad such as Barcelona, Spain, and Amsterdam.

But Marina Rodino, who has lived in Venice for 30 years, doesn’t see the fee as the cure-all. Neighboring apartments in her residential building near the famed Rialto Bridge once inhabited by families are now short-term apartment rentals.

The corner butcher shop closed. Yet she noted that the new entrance fee requirement will still allow young people to flood the city in the evening for the traditional aperitivo, which can grow rowdy.

She was passing out mock European Union passports for “Venice, Open City,” underlining the irony of the new system, and challenging its legal standing with citations from the Italian Constitution guaranteeing its citizens the right to “move or reside freely in any part of the national territory.”

“This is not a natural oasis. This is not a museum. It is not Pompeii. It is a city, where we need to fight so the houses are inhabited by families, and stores reopen. That is what would counter this wild tourism,’’ Rodino said.

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What to Know Before Booking a National Park Trip This Summer

Additional routes in popular parks now require reservations, the annual pass gets a big change, Juneteenth is now a new free entrance day and more changes for 2024.

By Lauren Matison

In 2023, the seashores, lakeshores, battlefields, historic sites, monuments and more that make up the National Park Service had 325.5 million visits , an increase of 4 percent from the year before.

The National Park Service director, Charles F. Sams III, praised the surge of interest in “learning our shared American story throughout the hidden gems of the National Parks System.”

Expecting an even greater turnout in 2024, the Park Service and Recreation.gov , the booking platform for federal land reservations, have implemented new measures to streamline the park experience, manage overcrowding and safeguard the environment.

More parks are requiring reservations

To better avoid congested trails, packed parking lots and overflowing trash cans, additional parks are joining Rocky Mountain , Arches and Glacier National Parks this year in requiring day-use permits, timed entries and other reservations for travelers who wish to visit, particularly during peak hours, holidays and the parks’ high seasons. Yosemite National Park is reinstating a timed-entry system it instituted in 2020, but paused in 2022.

Many park enthusiasts expressed mixed feelings about the reservation policies, with some lamenting a lack of first-come, first-served campsites while others find comfort in knowing they have a confirmed booking. As nearly 75 percent of visitors each year descend on national parks from May to October (and often on weekends), park officials stand by the system.

“In some parks, the level of demand is exceeding the capacity for which infrastructure was designed or is outpacing the National Park Service’s ability to sustainably support visitation,” said Kathy Kupper, a public affairs specialist for the service. “This trend is resulting in the need to explore new strategies to protect natural and cultural resources and provide opportunities for safe and meaningful visitor experiences.”

It can be confusing.

New to implementing timed-entry reservations for vehicles is Mount Rainier National Park , in Washington, for its popular Paradise and Sunrise Corridors during certain times in the summer season. Reservations cost $2, are valid for one day and must be purchased along with the park ticket, but do not apply for visitors with wilderness permits or camping or lodge reservations. Similar vehicle reservations are now required for certain periods for viewing the sunrise at Haleakalā National Park in Maui, Hawaii , and driving the Cadillac Summit Road in Maine’s Acadia National Park .

Visitors wishing to hike Old Rag Mountain in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park must obtain a day-use ticket between March 1 and Nov. 30, and in Zion National Park, in Utah, hikers wishing to visit Angels Landing , the dramatic 1,488-foot-tall rock formation, also need to purchase a permit. Fees range from $1 to $6, in addition to the parks’ entrance fees.

As each destination is managed differently, check the park’s webpage for the type of reservation required. Although most bookings can be made through Recreation.gov, some sites, such as Muir Woods National Monument, use a different system.

New features on Recreation.gov

In 2023, Recreation.gov reported that more than 4 million camping reservations and 2 million timed-entry reservations were booked online, and 1.5 million permits were issued. Some 2.9 million new users signed up for the site. With its expanding user base, the booking platform has added 58 reservable national park locations — including 17 campgrounds — such as Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Bluff Hike In Camping in South Carolina’s Congaree National Park.

Recreation.gov has also improved an alerts feature, piloted in July 2023, that can notify users through email or mobile push notifications when a sold-out campsite becomes available. After Recreation.gov notifies you of availability, you must book the campsite yourself online — and quickly, as you’ll be shown how many other people (possibly hundreds) have received the same alert.

While its customer support center and mobile app are still only available in English, Recreation.gov recently introduced a Spanish language translation option. The Park Service partners with Latino Conservation Week , which hosts nationwide hikes and events on environmental education and in-park stewardship, and will celebrate its 10th year in September.

A limit to the annual America the Beautiful pass

The 2024 America the Beautiful pass no longer allows two owners. The annual interagency pass, which costs $80 and covers the entrance fees for more than 2,000 federal recreation sites (of which roughly 100 do not charge for admission year-round), is now marked by a single signature line on the back of the card. The pass owner must show I.D. and be present with any accompanying travelers wishing to access the park with the pass. (Annual passes issued in 2023 will still be valid until their expiration date.) The pass covers all passengers in a vehicle — up to four adults, and children under 16 are admitted free — or up to four cyclists riding together. Active military or veterans and people with permanent disabilities are eligible for a free lifetime pass; 4th grade students may receive a free annual pass; and senior citizens may purchase a $20 annual pass or pay $80 for a lifetime pass.

At the parks, more accessible features, E.V. chargers and new lodging

To better protect against global warming, the Park Service is putting more than $65 million from the Inflation Reduction Act and Great American Outdoors Act into climate mitigation and ecosystem restoration.

Using $15.9 million budgeted for zero-emission vehicle deployment, charging capacity and infrastructure, the Park Service is prioritizing a reduction in carbon emissions, said Mr. Sams, by installing new electric-vehicle charging stations and running electric buses.

An interactive online locator tool created in 2023 shows E.V. charging stations throughout 27 national parks and the type of chargers available. In addition to the tool, every national park page displays alerts on road closures, parking lot capacities, construction work and other incidents.

Mr. Sams also said the Park Service is investing $1.3 billion from the Great American Outdoors Act to improve accessibility features, ranging from a new A.D.A.-compliant visitor center at Morristown National Historic Park in New Jersey to new beach wheelchairs at Sleeping Bear Dunes , Channel Islands and Virgin Islands National Parks . Each destination’s website has an accessibility tab to help visitors plan their trip, and Recreation.gov now has a search filter on its homepage to make it easier to locate accessible accommodations.

New lodging options now available across the country include the Flamingo Lodge , which opened inside Everglades National Park last fall with 24 guest rooms built from repurposed shipping containers. In March, along the southeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cataloochee Ranch reopened with 11 renovated cabins and a new restaurant. This spring, the Clubhouse Hotel & Suites will welcome its first guests in Rapid City, S.D., the closest major town to Badlands National Park , and opening in May in Idaho is the Yellowstone Peaks Hotel , a 30-minute-drive from Yellowstone National Park. This fall, California-bound travelers planning a visit to General Sherman, the largest known tree on Earth, might book at AutoCamp Sequoia , just outside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park .

Also in California: Those who don’t score a highly coveted (and contentious) spot at the newly reopened High Sierra Camps in Yosemite could book Wildhaven Yosemite in Mariposa, which offers more affordable rates, hiking trails and views of the Sierra Nevadas. Reservations for its first season are available beginning May 1.

Celebrating milestones and a new free entrance day

On the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, visitors can pay tribute to African American heritage at over 100 parks , including the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument , and the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail . This year also marks 100 years since Indigenous people were recognized as United States citizens. Although many parks have Indigenous programming , Mr. Sams, who is the first Native American to serve as N.P.S. director , suggested visiting Hopewell Cultural Historical Park in Ohio and Whitman Mission Historic National Historic Site in Washington, where he recently brought his daughter.

“In order to celebrate the diversity that makes our country great, we must share the complete story of America, which includes both the successes and challenges encountered on the way to form a more perfect union,” Mr. Sams said.

Juneteenth National Independence Day is the National Park Service’s newest free entrance day . Visitors can also take advantage of free admission on April 20, the first day of National Park Week; Aug. 4, the four-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act ; Sept. 28 on National Public Lands Day ; and Nov. 11 for Veterans Day .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article misstated the location of the Flamingo Lodge. It is inside Everglades National Park, not outside the park.

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