Covid 19/Visa Requirements


The following information is for travellers holding Australian passports. The information provided below is not updated daily. It is the TRAVELLER’s responsibility to follow all airline and destination protocols, re. Visa/Passports or Covid requirements.

For the latest updates and restrictions to popular destinations, please check Smart Traveller and Sherpa websites, including your departure airline’s website. Airlines usually email passengers all applicable requirements before your departure.

When transiting to your destination, all visa and covid-related requirements need to be adhered to—especially in circumstances where your luggage needs to be collected and re-checked prior to your next flight.

For this reason, if there are multiple stop-overs in your travel itinerary; we recommend selecting one airline for your entire journey, with all stop-overs on the same ticket to avoid complications.


For Australia travellers who are required to have covid test before departure,

Go to Histopath to locate a clinic in your area. Alternatively, it is possible to take a covid test at the airport (results take approximately 1 hour)—the queue can be long.

For proof of vaccination in Australia, you can get the certificate: https://firstclass.com.au//www.passports.gov.au/international-covid-19-vaccination-certificate

For proof of vaccination in EU, you can get the certificate: https://firstclass.com.au//ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en#:~:text=All%20EU%20citizens,other%20Member%20States

Destinations

Australia

Changes to travel restrictions from 6 July 2022

From 6 July 2022, the way you travel to and from Australia is changing. All travellers need to be aware that:

  • People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status
  • People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
  • People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status
  • Unvaccinated visa holders do not need a travel exemption to travel to Australia

Masks are still required for international flights to Australia.

It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

More details, please check here.

Qantas Airways 14Jul22
Changes to the Qantas Vaccination requirements.

From 19 July 2022, Qantas will no longer require passengers travelling on international flights operated by the Qantas Group to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Passengers will no longer need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to board their flight unless it’s a country-specific requirement. This follows the Australian Government removing COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international visitors. Vaccination against COVID-19 may still be required by certain countries, so we recommend passengers check country-specific requirements before travel.

New Zealand

From 21 June 2022, you no longer need a pre-departure test to enter New Zealand

  • Travellers whose first international flight to New Zealand departs after 11:59pm (NZT) Monday 20 June 2022 do not need pre-departure tests. This applies to people entering New Zealand from anywhere in the world.
  • Most travellers still need to be vaccinated, and take 2 rapid antigen tests (RATs) after arriving in New Zealand.
  • If you transit through New Zealand, you no longer need to be vaccinated, or complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

South Pacific

Fiji 2May22
All fully-vaccinated travellers visiting Fiji will no longer have to provide a pre-arrival negative COVID-19 test prior to entry, which will be effective from 1st May.

Europe

Check on Sherpa for various country requirement

Germany
as of 20April, 2022

  • No proof of negative pre-departure COVID-19 test results for vaccinated travelers.
  • Proof of vaccination required before exiting Australia.

Greece 2May22
From 1st May, Greece has stated that all key COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted. The international visitors entering Greece will not need to bring proof of immunisation, a COVID-19 negative test result, or evidence of recovery.

Switzerland 2May22
Switzerland is one of the European countries welcoming travellers post-pandemic. It has lifted all entrance limitations in place during the pandemic, with effect from 2nd May.

ETIAS 7Mar23
From 2024, Australians will need to apply through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to enter 30 European countries.

ETIAS is an electronic system that completes a security check of visitors before they can enter any Schengen Area country. It will also be used by some EU countries outside the Schengen Area.

You won’t need an ETIAS for EU countries who aren’t taking part in the program.

Read more:

Non-Schengen European countries

Many European countries are not part of the Schengen Area. Non-Schengen countries have their own entry and exit requirements. These countries include:

Americas

USA Including Hawaii 2Mar23

Starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 12, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) no longer orders air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States.

Of note, CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect.

Air passengers will also still be required to confirm in the form of an attestation that the information they present is true.

Please find an updated Attestation Form here. (Must be completed prior to checking-in for your US bound flight)

For the full list of requirements and exemptions, please review the language in the Order

For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Argentina
Declaration Form 48hrs prior to the trip
Mandatory Health Insurance – Travelers are required to have health insurance with COVID-19 coverage that includes hospitalization and isolation.

Asia

Maldive 29Dec21
As per the latest Ministry of Tourism guidelines, you must present a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test report in English when checking in for your flight to the Maldives. The test must be conducted within 96 hours of your departure or you’ll be unable to board your flight. Quarantine isn’t necessary on arrival in the Maldives.

Thailand 19Jun22

As of 01 July, the “Thailand Pass" program will end, as well as the mandatory $10,000 Covid health insurance requirement for foreign visitors.

Visitors will only be required to show proof of either a certificate of full vaccination or a negative RT-PCR or professional ATK test result within 72 hours of travel (these can be in a print or digital format). Unvaccinated/not-fully vaccinated (at least two shots) travelers who are randomly checked and who are unable to show proof of a pre-arrival negative test will be required to undergo a professional ATK test at the point of entry.

Philippines 19Jan22
Foreigners can enter Philippines, but they will need to quarantine (at their own expense) with a choice of hotels they have to pre-book. Currently, only Philippine Airlines flies to Manila a few times a week. Starting from May/June Qantas will resume almost daily flights. Both airlines offer Business Class.

Myanmar 17May22
The Government of Myanmar has announced that they will welcome back tourists as of 15 May 2022.

The largest and one of the most diverse countries in the SE Asian region will open it’s borders while maintaining a number of pandemic protocols, it was announced by the government. Key amongst these are:

  • Vaccine certificate: showing guests have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival in Myanmar.
  • PCR test: Negative results from a PCR test issued no more than 72 hours before arrival in Myanmar.
  • Insurance: Local medical insurance through Myanmar Insurance is required for all travelers and covers treatment in case of COVID-19 infection for up to $25,000 USD.
  • Copies: of the above documents should be made and presented to airline authorities before boarding their flight to Myanmar.
  • Visas: Myanmar’s e-Visa program for tourists visas is still offline, so travelers currently need to apply for visas at a Myanmar embassy in their respective countries. Update for online e-Visa application will be announced shortly.

There will be mandated testing on arrival and a local hotel stay until results are cleared, usually within 8 hours of arrival at hotel. Once cleared, travelers are free to visit most all of the regular tourist destinations.

Vietnam 20May22
Vietnam has abandoned Covid-19 test requirements pre-flight and on arrival in the country for all travellers. Government channels announced the suspension of tests for arriving visitors earlier but the rule came into effect for travellers entering the country now.

Middle East

UAE
No proof of negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result required for vaccinated travelers
More details on Sherpa and Emirates

Israel 18May22
From 21st May, testing is no longer required for anyone traveling to Israel. The requirements of proof of a negative PCR/Antigen test prior to departure, as well as the PCR test and isolation upon arrival – will be canceled.

 
Travelers will still be required to fill in an entry statement in the 48 hours prior to departure to Israel (link).


In addition, as of 23rd May, the mask mandate for international flights to/from Israel will be lifted.

North Africa

Morocco 29Jan22
Morocco will reopen its borders for flights to and from the Kingdom starting from 7th February 2022 as per the government statement.