Updated: Wednesday, June 15, 2022
This article will be updated weekly while we continue to deal with covid restrictions. These past 2 years have been extremely challenging for everyone, especially for those that love to travel.
As you know, some nations shut down completely, no one in and no one out. Other countries allowed international travellers in, but they had to have a negative covid test. While others only allowed in vaccinated travellers and no PCR test necessary.
In May of 2021, my wife and I gave birth to our son in Brazil. There were no protocols to enter when we came in in March. My mother and daughter came to visit us in Brazil in July, again, no protocol restrictions.
In October 2021 I took my family to Colombia where there were absolutely no entry restrictions. We bought our airline tickets and entered freely into Medellin. Our return to Panama only required a negative antigens test.
Then in November, Colombia changed the rules and only vaccinated travellers could enter.
I thought we would look at countries that have reversed their decisions on entry restrictions, going from completely closed in some cases, to wide open and no restrictions for anyone.
At the time of writing, there are over 100 countries that allow the unvaccinated in, some completely with no restrictions, others with a negative PCR or antigens test.
I’m going to start with Panama, then the rest of Central America, North America and South America and then move into the Caribbean Islands, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
I’m happy to see countries opening quickly. Most of these countries rely heavily on tourism and the longer they remain closed, the more money the country loses.
I will update this post as countries open.
San Blas Islands, Panama
Not much has changed in Panama over the last few months. If you are unvaxxed, you must show proof of a negative antigen or PCR test, performed no longer than 72-hours before entry. An online health form is also required. Register and fill out your Health Affidavit here.
Any child or person under 17 years will not have to present a negative COVID-19 test if they are accompanied by an adult when entering Panama.
There are no quarantine hotels or high-risk countries any longer. Everyone is welcome in Panama.
Belize is open for unvaxxed travellers. You must provide proof of either a negative 48-hour antigen or 96-hour PCR test. Effective February 15th, 2022, you must buy mandatory health insurance. If you don’t purchase it ahead of time, it can be bought at the Philip Goldson International Airport or land borders; and lastly, you must book accommodation at a Golden Standard property and present proof of having done so when you enter Belize.
Entry is now extremely easy with no travel restrictions or requirements. No need for health insurance or proof of a negative test.
Unvaxxed tourists can enter with no tests, no quarantines, and no health forms. Mask mandates are still in effect in some stores; however, for the most part, El Salvador is now wide open.
As of March 15, 2022, for all travellers aged 10 and over, you simply show either a 3-day antigen or PCR test to enter.
A negative antigen or PCR test performed no longer than 72-hours before entry and no quarantine is required to enter Honduras.
Nicaragua has had their borders fully open since all of this began in 2020 with mask mandates never really enforced.
Unvaxxed tourists are allowed entry by just bringing a 72-hour PCR test.
City of Guanajuato, Mexico
Mexico is open to all travellers, whether you are vaccinated or not. You don’t even have to show proof of a negative PCR test before arrival. This is probably why tourism is doing fairly well here.
As of April 10, 2022, Argentina has removed all requirements for entry into the country, regardless of vaccination status.
Ecuador is now open to all unvaxxed travellers who can present a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours prior to flight.
Peru was extremely strict over the past 2 years, but we are seeing ease for entry, unvaxxed travellers require a 48-hour PCR test but no quarantine. You must pre-register and complete an affidavit of health before boarding the plane. All passengers have to wear either double masks or a single KN95/FFP2 mask when entering the country and inside the airport; face shields aren't obligatory anymore.
Unvaxxed travellers are allowed entry into Venezuela who have a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours prior to departure. On the day of your arrival in Venezuela, you will also be required to test at the airport. Also required for all travellers is their Health Pass.
Starting March 19, 2022, Aruba is open to unvaxxed travellers, no quarantine and no pre-entry test required. You must fill out this mandatory ED Card for all travellers, including minors and infants. You can check out their government website.
Mask requirements are at the discretion of the establishment when social distancing is difficult, but all other mandatory safety measures have been lifted. Aruba Visitors Insurance is still required for all visitors.
In December 2021, Bahamas announced that all unvaxxed travellers, age 12 and older, must obtain a negative PCR test taken no longer than 72 hours prior to the date of arrival and for those ages 2-11 an antigens test will do.
As of June 6, 2022 government officials have dropped the 3-day quarantine period for unvaccinated visitors who test negative at the airport when arriving.
All unvaccinated travellers must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days before arrival. Vaccinated travellers no longer have to take a test before entering Barbados.
Totally open for all travellers with just an antigens test required within 24 hours before your flight or a PCR test within 48 hours. There is no mandatory insurance. You must fill in the online health declaration form before entering.
Open to all travellers, whether you are vaxxed or not. No quarantine restrictions or pre-entry test is required. You must have mandatory insurance and fill out the digital immigration card online before departure.
Roseau, Dominica
Dominica is open to all travellers, with no quarantine restrictions. What is required is an antigens test 48 hours before the flight, or a PCR within 72 hours. You will likely be tested on Day 1 at a cost of $48 USD and you must fill out the Dominica Health Questionnaire.
As of February 15, 2022, the Dominican Republic announced that all Covid-19 restrictions are to be removed, including a vaccine passport to access shops, restaurants, public transit, etc.
No testing or quarantines are applied for entry. See the government website.
On April 4, 2022, Grenada removed all entry requirements for both vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers.
As an unvaxxed traveller, the only requirements for entry are either an antigens test or PCR taken 72 hours prior to travel.
Starting April 16, Jamaica has dropped public mask usage and the requirement for visitors to test for COVID 72 hours before arrival. Jamaica will eliminate all pre-arrival testing for international visitors, becoming the latest destination to roll back pandemic-era rules.
Effective April 2, 2022, unvaxxed travellers over the age of 5 must have a negative PCR test done within 5 days before the flight. No quarantine is required. All travellers must have their health screening form before entry into St. Lucia.
Open regardless of vaccination status, just an antigens test 24 hr prior to flight or a PRC test 48 hr prior to flight is required. You can find the mandatory electronic health authorization that is needed before landing in St. Maarten.
As of June 6, 2022 health officials announced the TTravel Pass previously used to allow visitors to enter has been discontinued. Travellers must either show proof of vaccination or a negative test taken within 48 hours of arrival. The dual-island nation still enforces a mask mandate.
As of June 6, 2022 travellers to the U.S. Virgin Islands will no longer be forced to complete a form at the USVI Travel Screening Portal. Tourists will still need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test taken within five days of arrival.
There are no restrictions to enter Iceland. Welcome to 2019.
On March 18, 2022, the UK removed ALL entry requirements completely, even the double-testing for unvaxxed tourists who can now enter England with no tests or forms required.
Ancient Castle in Ireland
As of March 2022, Ireland ended all entry requirements. Now all travellers regardless of vaccination status can enter test-free!
On Feb 12, 2022, Norway removed all Covid-19 related entry requirements for all tourists, vaccinated or not. The Scandinavian country became the first country in the world to revert its entry requirements and all internal rules back to the way it was pre-pandemic.
As of April 1, 2022, Sweden removed all covid-related entry requirements for travellers. They also removed their internal vaccine passport and masks, both indoor and outdoor in February.
Read more on their official website.
Denmark removed all entry requirements effective March 29, 2022. Masks are only needed inside hospitals and airports. No vaccine passports are in effect. You can check out the government website for more information.
Travellers that are unvaxxed can enter with either a 72-hour PCR test or a 48-hour antigen test. Recent recovery within 6 months is also permitted in lieu of testing.
All travellers are welcome to Austria. If you are unvaxxed you will be required to show proof of a negative covid test with either an antigens test 24 hours prior to departure or a PCR test 72 hours prior to departure.
Open to unvaxxed travellers who can show a negative antigens test or PCR test taken within the last 72 hours.
With a negative PCR test result done within 72 hours prior to flight, you can enter Bulgaria regardless of vaccination status.
Croatia allows unvaxxed travellers to enter the country if they have evidence of a negative PCR or Antigen test taken a maximum of 72 hours before arrival or a rapid antigen test result taken a maximum of 24 hours before arrival.
Unvaxxed travellers from most countries can enter Cyprus if they take a PCR test on arrival at their own cost, along with another rapid test 72 hours after arrival at no cost. This does not apply to travellers under 11.
As of March 14, 2022, France now allows unvaxxed travellers from most countries to enter with just a simple 48-hour antigen test.
Inside France, the mask mandate has also been dropped, along with the use of vaccine passports. Here is the link for the European Digital Passenger Locator Form.
Greece is open for unvaxxed travellers as long as they can show proof of a negative antigens test 24 hours before departure or a PCR test within 72 hours.
Here are the protocols for arrivals in Greece.
Ananuri Castle, Aragvi River, Georgia
Those without proof of vaxx will have to show proof of a negative 72-hour PCR test and take another PCR 3 days after arriving. No quarantine.
You will no longer require a PCR or Antigen test or proof of vaccination for entry. The mask mandate has also been removed.
Check out the government website.
Yes, Italy is open to all unvaxxed travellers with a negative antigens test 48 hours before flight or PCR within 72 hours. As with France, an EU digital passenger locator form is required.
Effective from June 8th, Kazakhstan has removed the requirement of COVID-19 vaccination and PCR certificates for entry.
As of April 1, 2022, you can enter Latvia regardless of vaccination status. No tests, forms, or quarantines.
Travellers will need to show proof of a 24-hour antigen test or a 72-hour PCR, but no quarantines will be required.
From April 11th, all travellers who hold a valid PCR test result or a recovery certificate will be permitted entry to Malta under the same rules as vaccinated persons. A negative PCR test must have been performed up to 72 hours prior to arrival. A recognized COVID-19 recovery certificate cannot be older than 180 days.
Totally open with an antigens test within 48 hours or a PCR test within 72 hours.
Makes it pretty simple for unvaxxed travellers. No quarantine, just a negative antigens test 24 hours before the flight.
Sveti Stefan, Montenegro
No tests, quarantines, or proof of vaccination is needed for entry into Montenegro.
Poland has removed anything to do with vaccines and mandates. Entry is normal.
Unvaxxed travellers will be allowed entry with either a 24-hour antigen test or a 72-hour PCR test.
Masks are still mandatory for the time being.
As of April 22, the passenger locator form is no longer required for entry.
Unvaxxed travellers can enter Romania without any entry requirements at all as of March 9, 2022.
Serbia is open to all travellers, those that are unvaxxed require a negative PCR test done within 48 hours of flying. If you are arriving from the USA, you can have an antigens test instead.
Slovenia removed all of its entry requirements and border restrictions on February 21, 2022.
Effective immediately, Slovakia has removed all restrictions for entry. There are no barriers anymore.
Bergama, Turkey
As of June 1st, all COVID-19 restrictions in Turkey have been lifted, and passengers arriving in Turkey are no longer required to present proof of vaccination or negative PCR test results.
All travellers are welcome to visit as long as you have a negative antigen or PCR test done prior to 72 hours.
Unvaxxed travellers can enter the country, but they must provide evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours before arrival.
Totally open to all travellers. No pre-tests or mandatory insurance is needed.
On March 14, 2022, the Maldives removed all of its entry requirements, abolished the state of emergency, and masked mandates. All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, are welcome to enter test-free and quarantine-free.
As of May 22, 2022 Morocco allows all unvaccinated covid travellers to enter the country with a covid test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. If you are vaccinated there is no need for a PCR test.
All children under 12 years of age and travelling with a fully vaccinated adult are exempt from testing.
Fully open for all travellers, regardless of vaccination status. No tests, no mandatory insurance.
South Africa is open to unvaxxed tourists. Travellers must provide a negative 72-hour PCR test before arrival.
Still in place are mandatory masks in public spaces and on public transport.
If you are unvaxxed, you may enter with either a 96-hour negative test or be tested on arrival.
Mask wearing is only a strong suggestion by the government, but no country-wide mandate exists.
As of March 1, 2022, all travellers will be allowed entry regardless of vaccination status, including unvaxxed Americans and Canadians, who must submit a negative PCR test before boarding their flight.
There is still quarantine isolation for all travellers, regardless of their age or vaccination status. You must stay in isolation until a negative PCR test is performed after 24 hours after your arrival in Israel. Here is additional information on isolation protocols.
No entry requirements are necessary for entry into Bahrain. No quarantine or tests are needed.
Like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, all travellers, whether vaxxed or not, no longer require any tests on arrival.
Open to all travellers, unvaxxed require an antigens test 24 hours before the flight or a PCR test within 48 hours.
In March 2022, Saudi Arabia removed all entry requirements and discontinued its internal vaccine passport. All travellers of any status can enter without testing, quarantines, or proof of vaccine.
Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
All that is required to enter the UAE is a 72-hour negative PCR test.
No tests, no quarantine, no vaccines are required for entry into Yemen.
As of March 27, 2022, India lifted the tourism flight ban and reissued e-visas for foreigners. They are allowing unvaxxed tourists with a visa to enter, but a pre-flight test, as well as a potential test on arrival, is required.
Mongolia has removed all entry requirements as of March 15, 2022. No tests, quarantines, or proof of vaccine is required to enter.
On June 15th, South Korea opened their borders to unvaxxed travellers. You must present a negative test and submit an online questionnaire regarding your health conditions.
From July 1st, travellers will be allowed to enter Vanuatu again. They will only need to present a negative rapid test taken within 24 hours of departure or a certificate of infection and recovery within 28 days of departure. Once in Vanuatu, there will be no arrival testing required.
Open to the unvaxxed with a negative antigens test within 24 hours before the flight or 72 hours with a negative PCR test.
If you are travelling to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan; African countries: Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia; Caribbean countries: Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, BVI; South America, Bolivia; Europe: Belarus, Estonia,
All of these countries are open to unvaxxed travellers with a negative PCR test done within 72 hours. Check out each government website for specific details. Not all of them are the same; however, all unvaxxed individuals have the ability to travel there.
Each day this list will change and new countries will be added. I don’t see any reversals happening, but I can’t say for sure. I would suggest checking government websites before planning your travel.
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Written by Mikkel Thorup
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