Table of Contents
The short list of new additions: Abu Dhabi, Bolivia, Guyana, Mexico’s land border, Nepal, Uruguay, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka (currently entry only allowed through Ukraine). For specific details about entry, we have compiled a list of counties that are offering limited travel options to Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic in January of 2021.
North America & Carribean
2021 Update: Canada
Our neighbors to the north kept the border closed as the U.S. remained the epicenter of the pandemic in the second half of 2020. Restrictions are currently set to ease at the end of January.
Antigua and Barbados: a negative COVID test within seven days of your flight. Some travelers will have to submit to additional testing and monitoring after arrival.
Aruba: a COVID test at the airport when they arrive, and purchase visitors insurance to cover potential medical costs.
Bahamas: a negative test with five days of travel and a “Bahamas Health Visa.”
Barbados: a negative test from within 72 hours and an online health questionnaire.
Bermuda: an online travel authorization that includes a $75 fee for testing upon arrival as well as a negative test from within 72 hours of travel.
Dominica: This country is allowing Americans to travel during the COVID-19 health crisis if they participate in a health survey within 24 hours of travel. In addition, travelers will be required to display evidence of a negative test within 72 hours of arriving to Dominica. All individuals will need to perform a test upon arrival at the airport.
2021 Update: Dominican Republic: curfews on the island of either 7pm or 9pm will end on January 15. Temperature checks and spot testing but doesn’t require pre-testing.
Grenada: a negative test with seven days, a health questionnaire, and a contact tracing app on your phone.
Haiti: requires a health questionnaire and a 14-day quarantine for travelers.
Jamaica: a pre-travel health registration form, negative test within ten days of travel, and thermal temperature checks at the airport.
St. Barths: a negative test within 72 hours, or a test upon arrival and a second test after seven days, but there’s no direct flight from the US to St. Barths.
St. Kitts and Nevis: an entry form and negative test within 72 hours of travel, a health screening at the airport, a contact tracing app on your phone, seven days quarantine in an approved hotel, a second COVID test, and a third test after 14 days.
Saint Lucia: a negative test within seven days of travel, a Travel Authorization letter, a health screening form, health screens at the airport upon arrival, and a 14-day quarantine at an approved hotel.
Saint Maarten: a negative test within 120 hours of travel, a health declaration form, proof of travel health insurance, and health screenings at the airport.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: a negative test within five days of travel, a test upon arrival, quarantine for 16 days in an approved hotel, a second COVID test after five days.
Turks and Caicos: a negative test with five days of travel and pre-travel authorization from the government.
Puerto Rico
You’ll need a negative test within 72 hours of your flight, uploaded through the health department’s website.
2021 Update: Mexico
The land border is still closed at most checkpoints, but is set to reopen at the end of January. There are still health screenings in place at the airports, but no testing is required.
US Virgin Islands
The islands, including St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, require testing and quarantine. Travelers must submit either a negative antigen test within five days of their travel date or a positive antibody test within four months. If you’re unable to provide the appropriate test results, you’re required to quarantine for 14 days.
Africa
Democratic Republic of Congo: negative test within seven days of travel, and a second test upon arrival at the airport and self-quarantine for up to 24-hours.
Egypt: a negative test within 72 hours, or test at the airport, a travel visa, and self-quarantine in a hotel.
Ghana: a negative test within 72 hours of travel, and a second test upon arrival at the airport.
Kenya: a negative test within 96 hours and health screening upon arrival.
Mauritius: extended stays are allowed with government approval and must include a 14-day quarantine with multiple COVID tests.
2021 Update: Morocco: in a state of emergency through January, Americans are allowed with a negative test within 72 hours of travel and confirmed reservations at a hotel.
Namibia: a negative test within 72 hours of travel, and visitors must stay and their initial lodgings for a full week.
Nigeria: travelers must register online, show a negative test within five days of travel, and take a second test after seven days.
Rwanda: a negative test within five days of travel, and a second test taken at the airport upon arrival, and a visa (which can be obtained at the airport).
2021 Update: Senegal: international flights have resumed, but the land and sea borders are still closed. Visitors must have a negative COVID test from within five days, and submit a Passenger Locator Form after arrival.
2021 Update: South Africa: the more-contagious varient in the UK was also discovered in South Africa, who has entered stricter lockdown protocols. Visitors need a negative test within 72 hours or a 14-day self-quarantine.
Tanzania: a negative test within 72 hours, health screening, and a health survey, but there are no quarantine requirements.
Uganda: a negative test within 72 hours, temperature and health screenings upon arrival, and a second test within 120 hours of departure from the country.
Zambia: a negative test within 72 hours and tourists must have a visa.
Zimbabwe: a negative test within 72 hours, and visitors must self-quarantine for 14 days.
Europe
2021 Update: Albania: They’ve banned all flight from the U.K, and there’s a 6 pm curfew in effect. No testing requirements, but there are temperature checks at the airport.
Armenia: a negative test within 72 hours, or a self-quarantine for 14 days.
2021 Update: Croatia: They’ve closed the borders to Americans until at least January 15. A negative test within 48 hours of travel, or a 14-day quarantine, or a seven-day quarantine with a negative test taken in Croatia.
Cyprus: entry is allowed after a 14-day quarantine in another EU country.
Ireland: two-week self-quarantine after filling out a Passenger Locator Form.
Kosovo: is technically open to Americans, but the embassy strongly cautions travelers against visiting.
Lithuania: if you have an EU passport, you can enter and must enter a 10-day quarantine and testing.
Montenegro: negative test with 72 hours, there’s no bars or restaurants open, and there’s a 6 pm curfew in effect nation-wide.
North Macedonia: temperature screenings at the airport, but no testing or quarantine requirements.
2021 Update: Serbia: Americans can now travel to Serbia. They need either a negative COVID test within 48 hours of arriving or an antibody test. Restaurants and cafes are still required to close at 6pm.
2021 Update: Turkey: Americans are still allowed, but they’ve banned flights from the UK, South Africa, The Netherlands, and Denmark. You now need a negative COVID test from within 72 hours to enter, and must submit to health screenings. The US Embassy still warns against terrorist activity and you have to get a visa.
2021 Update: Ukraine: The country is in quarantine until the end of the month. Americans must prove they have medical insurance, quarantine for 14 days, and test negatively at the airport.
2021 Update: United Kingdom: Because of the new COVID variant, travelers must have a negative test within 72 hours of leaving the UK and the CDC is advising Americans don’t travel to the UK.
Central America
Belize: a negative test with 72 hours, or pay $50 and take a test at the airport upon arrival. Visitors must stay at designated hotels.
Costa Rica: submit a health questionnaire within 48 hours and have travel insurance to cover medical expenses from COVID.
El Salvador: a negative test within 72 hours of travel.
Guatemala: The government is allowing Americans to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic following a health questionnaire and a negative test within 72 hours.
Honduras: fill out a government registration form and provide a negative test within 72 hours.
Nicaragua: a negative COVID test and submit to additional health screenings at the airport.
Panama: a health survey, a negative test within 48 hours of travel, or a $50 rapid test upon arrival.
South America
2021 Update: Bolivia: The borders have reopened to commercial travelers, who must present a negative COVID test within 10 days of their flight.
2021 Update: Brazil: travelers must present a negative COVID test within 72 hours of their flight, submit a Health Survey Form, and flights to/from the UK are banned.
2021 Update: Chile: a negative test within 96 hours, a traveler’s affidavit, and a mandatory 14-day quarantine, even with negative test results.
Colombia: fill out a pre-flight registration form, present a negative test within 96 hours of travel, and download a tracking app.
Ecuador: a negative test from within ten days.
2021 Update: Guyana: Americans can now enter with a negative test within 72 hours and a Passenger Locator form.
Paraguay: a negative test from within 72 hours of travel, proof of medical insurance, and a health questionnaire filled out within 24 hours of your flight.
Peru: a negative test within 72 hours of travel and a traveler’s affidavit.
2021 Update: Uruguay: the travel ban is set to expire on January 10, visitors will have to present a negative test within 72 hours of their flight and proof of heath insurance to cover COVID costs. Visitors must self isolate for seven days and take a second negative test, or self isolate for 14 days.
Asia
Cambodia: a negative test within 72 hours of travel, a $2000 deposit for potential medical expenses, a $90 travel insurance package, a 14-day quarantine in designated accommodations, and a second negative COVID test following quarantine.
The Maldives: a negative test with 96 hours, an online health survey, and proof of reservation at a hotel or resort.
2021 Update: Nepal: they’ve reopened for some trekkers and mountaineers. Visitors must present a negative test within 72 hours of their flight, and quarantine for two to 14 days depending on their point of entry.
Pakistan: a negative COVID test within 96 hours, a visa, health screenings, and download a contact tracing app.
South Korea: a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival at a government facility.
2021 Update: Sri Lanka: is currently in a pilot-program for reopening with Ukraine, but will review and consider opening to more countries soon. Visitors must have a negative COVID test within 72 hours, when they land, and again after 7 days.
Taiwan: a negative test with 72 hours and a 14-day self-quarantine.
Tajikistan: a valid Tajik visa, but the embassy warns about both COVID and terrorism.
Thailand: a negative test within 72 hours, plus visitors must stay for at least 60 days, pay a $40 visa fee, have proof of insurance for potential medical costs, a bank statement, a reservation at a quarantine hotel for 14 days, and a round-trip flight confirmation.
Uzbekistan: a negative test within 72 hours and health screening, but they’ll compensate travelers $3000 if they catch COVID while in the country.
Middle East
Bahrain: a negative test upon arrival at the airport, and a second test after ten days in the country.
Israel: the country is currently in lockdown, but the international airport remains open.
2021 Update: United Arab Emirates: the Abu Dhabi International airport has reopened now as well as Dubai. Visitors need a negative test within 96 hours of travel, or at the airport upon arrival, thermal screenings at the airport, and a 14-day self quarantine.
Oceania
French Polynesia: a negative test within 72 hours of travel, fill out an online health registration form, proof of international travel insurance, a second COVID test four days after arrival.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash