Which countries will we be able to travel to in 2022? The Covid-19 health crisis has had a major impact on our travel plans . Since 2020, many borders have been closed to French travelers. And the fluctuations in the pandemic make it difficult to plan ahead. So, where are we at the start of 2022? What are the best destinations to go on vacation this year? Which countries are expected to reopen their borders soon? I’ll explain everything in this article.
Covid-19: Which countries are open to travelers in 2022 (and which will remain so)?
Traveling in Europe
First of all, in Europe, borders are open everywhere for vaccinated people. For the unvaccinated, there are only a few exceptions where quarantine is required.
For example, as a vaccinated person, you can travel without a test to Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany or Sweden. On the other hand, Portugal, Norway, Austria and Denmark will require a PCR test before departure.
Similarly, it is possible to travel without being vaccinated with a PCR test less than 72 hours old in most European countries . On the other hand, in the United Kingdom, Italy, the Czech Republic or Slovenia, you will be required to quarantine, in addition to a PCR test.
Again, this information is accurate as of January 2022. However, it can change overnight . It is indeed safe to assume that countries will ease their entry requirements with the arrival of spring, once the peak of the 5th wave has passed.
It must be said that entry conditions have changed regularly since 2020. For example, in September 2021, you could travel to Denmark without a test if you were vaccinated or had a certificate of recovery. The government had also lifted the obligation to wear a mask on public transport and in restaurants. The health pass was no longer in force to access certain leisure venues. This country, like many others, therefore tightened its measures in the face of the new wave of Covid-19 during the winter of 2021. We can bet on an easing of the measures in the coming weeks.
Traveling in America
On the other hand, in America, at present, most countries are open to vaccinated people. For example, the USA, Canada, the Antilles, Ecuador, Brazil and Venezuela are open to vaccinated travelers. However, they must present a negative PCR test.
On the other hand, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica are open to vaccinated people without testing.
Only access to Suriname remains more difficult. Although the country is not completely closed to vaccinated French travelers, in fact, land connections between Guyana and Suriname are prohibited and air connections are very limited.
On the other hand, for unvaccinated people, the situation is different:
- Many countries in America are banned from them. For example, Canada, USA, Argentina, Brazil and Chile are refusing unvaccinated travelers at the moment.
- The borders are open, but with a quarantine for certain islands in the Antilles such as Barbados, which complicates stays.
- On the other hand, some countries are open to them with or without a PCR test : Mexico, the Bahamas, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
Traveling in Africa and the Middle East
In Africa, the situation is somewhat similar to America. Most countries are open with PCR testing for vaccinated people.
- However, some countries impose quarantine on unvaccinated people (Madagascar, Mauritius, Ethiopia, etc.).
- Some destinations are closed to unvaccinated people (Reunion, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, Kenya, etc.).
- Some countries are completely closed to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people (Morocco, Iran and Angola in particular).
- Finally, some countries are open to unvaccinated people with a PCR test such as Algeria, Egypt, Cape Verde, Namibia, South Africa, the Seychelles and the UAE.
Travel in Asia and Oceania
In Asia and Oceania, entry requirements are stricter and many countries remain closed to all travelers. Indeed, borders remain closed to vaccinated and unvaccinated people for Japan, China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Burma, Indonesia, but also Australia and New Zealand.
- For vaccinated people , some destinations are open with PCR testing: Fiji, Singapore, French Polynesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Cambodia and Mongolia in particular.
- Some destinations are open to vaccinated people with quarantine such as New Caledonia, Thailand (which can nevertheless be avoided via the Sandbox program ), India, South Korea.
- Without vaccination, however, most destinations are closed apart from Mongolia and Pakistan, which are open with PCR testing.
- However, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and South Korea are open to unvaccinated people, with quarantine.
Traveling in the DOM
Going to Martinique, Guadeloupe or Reunion Island is possible… But only for vaccinated people . In addition, since the end of November, a PCR or antigen test, less than 24 hours old (since the end of December) is also required for those over 12 years old. We can assume that the test will no longer be required in the coming months (this measure had already been interrupted in 2021 between 2 waves), but the vaccination obligation should remain.
Which countries are expected to open their borders soon?
As you can imagine, given this unpredictable and unprecedented situation, it is difficult to determine precisely which countries will reopen their borders in 2022. What is certain is that countries will be more inclined to ease their restrictions for vaccinated people. Here is a list of countries that have announced their reopening or for which reopening seems imminent.
The Philippines
While the Philippine government had closed its borders to vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers in the face of the resurgence of the epidemic during the winter of 2021, it has announced that it will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated foreigners as of February 16, 2022.
Indonesia
Indonesia had relaxed its entry requirements since October 2021. However, faced with the resurgence of the epidemic, it decided to close its borders to travelers from France and 13 other countries from January 7, 2022. We can therefore bet on an opening of the borders again by the end of 2022 , when the Omicron wave has passed.
Australia
Australia has reopened its borders exclusively to fully vaccinated PVT holders or international students since December 15, 2021. It appears that an opening to vaccinated travelers is possible later this year.
Moreover, the Governor of Western Australia (Perth) has announced a reopening on February 5, 2022 to all vaccinated travelers for this state only. However, a 14-day quarantine could be imposed.
New Zealand
New Zealand has announced that it will reopen its borders to all vaccinated travelers from April 30, 2022. However, this reopening comes with a mandatory quarantine.
The government has specified that travelers will have to present: a negative test for air travel, proof of vaccination, a declaration of their last trips and take a test on arrival. In addition, a second test will have to be carried out a few days later and they will have to isolate themselves for 7 days. A border opening which therefore remains very regulated…
Morocco
Morocco has announced that its borders will remain closed until at least January 31, 2022. As I write these lines, the government has not announced any extension: it seems that a reopening is imminent. In any case, the borders should reopen only to vaccinated people with a PCR test. It is not known whether a quarantine will be imposed upon arrival. As a reminder, flights to Morocco have been suspended since the end of November 2021.
Unvaccinated and children: different conditions?
For unvaccinated people, governments are still very reluctant. It will certainly be necessary to wait until the end of the pandemic before being allowed to travel all over the world as was the case before 2020.
Likewise, keep in mind that if you are traveling with children, the conditions are different. Depending on the country, they may be required to quarantine, take a PCR test before departure or upon arrival. However, before the age of 6, it is rare that a PCR test is required. The ideal is to find out for each destination before planning a stay.
Covid-19: Which countries should remain closed in 2022?
Japan
For Japan, it is a big question mark. We can read on the embassy website that no date for reopening the borders has been decided by the government.
Vietnam
Tourism is currently banned in Vietnam. However, trials are reportedly underway in small areas of the country. So, you’ll have to wait a bit to visit the country, as no reopening date has been announced. However, things could be different by the end of the year.
China
China has not issued student or tourist visas since March 23, 2020. To date, only Chinese residents have been allowed to return to China under certain conditions since September 2, 2021. Indeed, the country has implemented a “zero case” strategy in response to the Covid-19 epidemic. Some cities and provinces are still in lockdown and travel within the country is not recommended.
In addition, hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing has not led to an easing of measures. The government has introduced strict protocols. Athletes, coaches and journalists will be placed in sanitary bubbles where no contact with the outside world will be possible. There will also be no foreign spectators in the stands. We can therefore bet on the idea that China will be one of the countries that reopens its borders last.
Will 2022 mark a return to normal for travelers?
It has been two years since the health crisis impacted the world and radically changed the way we travel. However, several elements suggest that 2022 may be the year that will mark a return to normal.
First of all, the number of people vaccinated is increasing day by day. While in France, the vaccination campaign began at the beginning of 2021, for some countries, vaccine doses have been transmitted less quickly. Some governments are therefore waiting for a certain percentage of their population to have a complete vaccination schedule before reopening their borders.
On the other hand, the arrival of the Omicron variant, which is gradually replacing the Delta variant, marks a real turning point in this pandemic. The virus is transmitted more quickly, but it is also less serious. The number of patients in intensive care is decreasing. At the end of January 2022, the WHO also stated that ” the end of the pandemic would be plausible in Europe thanks to the Omicron variant”.
An increase in herd immunity and a less dangerous virus would therefore bode well for countries to gradually reopen their borders and ease their entry requirements.
However, the situation is very unpredictable and at present we can only guess what it will be like in a few months .
If you are hesitating about your next destination, I advise you first of all to go to the French government website. There you will find a lot of advice for travelers depending on the chosen destination . The information is updated very regularly.
In addition, the entry requirements are clearly explained for each country: is a PCR test or vaccination required? Will quarantine be required? You will find all your answers there.
Alternatively, if you want an overview of which destinations are open at a glance, for vaccinated or unvaccinated travelers , you can find it here.
Through this article, I hope that the global tourism situation during this Covid-19 crisis seems a little clearer to you. As you can see, you can dream about your next trip in 2022 without fear and maybe even start looking for where your passport has been stored… for so long! However, if your favorite destination has not yet announced a reopening, don’t panic… It seems that the situation is evolving in the right direction month after month.
