25 Quarantine-free countries that Malaysians can now visit (and their respective SOPs)
Safe travels
Since Malaysia reopened its borders on April 1—thus lifting the mandatory quarantine rule for travellers (including locals and foreigners)—international tourism has gradually been picking up again after two years of living with Covid-19. However, different countries may impose restrictions that travellers should take note of before planning a visit to avoid disappointment.
To ease your plans for a getaway out of the country, we’ve put together a non-exhaustive list of quarantine-free destinations and their respective SOPs. Friendly reminder: make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your travel dates!
ASIA
1. Thailand
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SOPs and requirements (as of 1 May 2022):
- All visitors must have an approved Thailand Pass to enter Thailand
- Travellers must have a Covid-19 travel insurance policy with US$10,000 minimum coverage
- Unvaccinated travellers can enter Thailand with a 5-day Alternate Quarantine or a No Quarantine program if they have a pre-departure RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of leaving for Thailand
- Children under the age of 18 can be added to a parent or guardian’s Thailand Pass and do not need to be vaccinated or produce a pre-departure Covid-19 test
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
2. Singapore
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SOPs and requirements (as of 1 April 2022):
- No entry approvals, pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests, or quarantine required for fully vaccinated visitors
- Unvaccinated travellers are generally not allowed entry into Singapore except with approval (submit an application here)
- Travellers must submit the SG Arrival Card and e-health declaration via the official and free e-service on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website three days before departure
- All visitors must use the TraceTogether app in Singapore to facilitate contact tracing
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
3. South Korea
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SOPs and requirements (as of 1 April 2022):
- Apply for K-ETA or Visa at least one week prior to departure
- Fully vaccinated travellers are required to produce a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure (ART test is not allowed)
- Travellers must upload their vaccination records and pre-departure PCR test result onto the Q-Code System prior to departure
- Travellers are required to take a PCR test (self-paid) upon arrival at Incheon Airport. Pre-booking is required and can be done online at safe2gopass.com
For the full advisory, visit this website.
4. Vietnam
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SOPs and requirements (as of 15 May 2022):
- Travellers aged 12 and above must show proof of a full vaccination or recovery from Covid-19 within the last six months
- Travellers must have medical/travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$10,000
- Travellers must download the PC-Covid mobile app (Apple / Google Play)
For the full advisory, visit this website.
5. Indonesia
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SOPs and requirements (as of 5 April 2022):
- Travellers must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure
- Travellers must provide proof of health insurance with a minimum coverage of US$25,000, which includes financing for Covid-19
- Travellers must provide proof of booking confirmation and payment for accommodation
- Travellers must provide proof of vaccination certificate in English
For the full advisory, visit this website.
6. Nepal
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SOPs and requirements:
- Travellers must present a valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate
- Fill in an Online Tourist Visa form prior to arrival or purchase a visa on arrival
For the full advisory, visit this website.
7. Sri Lanka
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SOPs and requirements:
- Provide a valid vaccination certificate
- Fully vaccinated travellers are exempted from pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 PCR tests
- Non-citizens are required to acquire a tourist visa, AKA Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
- Purchase the Sri Lanka Covid-19 Insurance coverage online (recommended) or on arrival
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
8. Cambodia
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SOPs and requirements (as of 23 April 2022):
- Fully vaccinated guests are not required to take an RT-PCR test or undergo quarantine (proof of vaccination must be provided)
- Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers are required to self-quarantine at their own expense or deposit US$2,000 for quarantine arranged by local authorities for seven days, then undergo an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) on day 7
- Apply for a Cambodia visa online
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
9. Maldives
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SOPs and requirements:
- Provide proof of a full vaccination with WHO-approved vaccines
- Fill up a Traveller Declaration form within 72 hours before flight departure (to be submitted electronically)
- A 30-day visa will be granted upon arrival
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
EUROPE
10. United Kingdom
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SOPs and requirements (as of 18 March 2022):
- All visitors can enter the UK without any restrictions (previous requirements including the passenger locator form, pre-departure test, and post-arrival Covid-19 PCR test have been lifted)
For the full UK travel advisory, visit this website.
11. France
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SOPs and requirements (as of 12 February 2022):
- Travellers must be able to provide proof of a full vaccination status with vaccines authorised by the EMA
- Unvaccinated travellers must present a negative test to travel to France
- No Covid-19 test is required before departure or upon entry
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
12. Switzerland
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SOPs and requirements:
- Provide a valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate
- No Covid-19 test is required before departure or upon entry
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
13. Spain
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SOPs and requirements:
- Provide a valid EU digital Covid-19 certificate or equivalent as proof of full vaccination status
- Complete a Health Control Form (FCS) within 48 hours before arrival and obtain the QR code as proof/reference
- Travellers are recommended to download the RadarCOVID app when entering Spain
- No Covid-19 test is required before departure and on entry
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
14. Italy
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SOPs and requirements (effective until 31 May 2022):
- Travellers must present a valid vaccination certificate, recovery certificate, or negative molecular (taken within 72 hours of departure) or antigen test (taken within 48 hours before departure) to enjoy quarantine-free travel
- Anyone not in possession of the correct documentation, including unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers, will be subject to mandatory quarantine for five days upon arrival
For the full advisory, visit this website.
15. Ireland
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SOPs and requirements (as of 6 March 2022):
- All Covid-19 travel restrictions have been lifted. Travellers no longer need proof of vaccination or a Covid-19 test to enter Ireland
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
16. Iceland
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SOPs and requirements (as of 25 February 2022):
- All Covid-19 related restrictions have been lifted. Travellers no longer have to provide proof of vaccination to enter Iceland
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
17. Monaco
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SOPs and requirements (as of 5 April 2022):
- Travellers aged 16 and above must provide proof of a full vaccination status or a certificate showing proof of recovery from Covid-19; OR
- Present a negative PCR or antigen test taken within the last 24 hours before arrival
For the full advisory, visit this website.
NORTH AMERICA
18. United States
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SOPs and requirements:
- Have a vaild US visa
- All non-US citizens and non US-immigrants except children under two years old are required to provide proof of a full vaccination status against Covid-19
- Provide a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than one day before departure to the US
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
19. Canada
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SOPs and requirements (as of 1 April 2022):
- Present a valid Covid-19 certificate as proof of full vaccination status
- Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers will only be allowed to enter Canada under specific circumstances
- Set up your ArriveCAN account before arrival
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
SOUTH AMERICA
20. Mexico
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SOPs and requirements:
- Travellers are required to egister on the Mexico Vuela Seguro Platform before boarding and show the QR code at the arrival airport
- No other Covid-19 restrictions apply, regardless of vaccination status
For the full advisory, visit this website.
OCEANIA
21. Australia
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SOPs and requirements (as of 18 April 2022):
- A valid Australian visa (for non-citizens), which you can apply for online
- Complete the Digital Passenger Declaration within 72 hours before your flight
- Provide proof of full vaccination status, which includes paper or digital certificates (unless a medical exemption applies)
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
MIDDLE EAST
22. United Arab Emirates
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SOPs and requirements (as of 26 February 2022):
- Present a valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate containing a QR code
- Present a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate issued within 48 hours after the sample was collected and issued by an approved health service provider with a QR code
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
23. Turkey
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SOPs and requirements:
- A valid visa or a copy of an approved online eVisa to travel to Turkey
- All travellers above six years old are required to complete a Traveler Entry Form at least four days before arrival in Turkey
- Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from Covid-19 tests if they can provide a vaccination certificate or medical certificate showing recovery
- Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passengers over the age of 12 must have a document showing a negative Covid-19 test result to enter Turkey, which may be either a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival or a rapid antigen test (RAT) taken within 48 hours before arrival
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
AFRICA
24. Egypt
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SOPs and requirements:
- Apply for the Egypt eVisa online
- Provide a valid Covid-19 vaccine certificate as proof of full vaccination status
- Fully vaccinated travellers are exempted from a Covid-19 test
For the full travel advisory, visit this website.
25. Mauritius
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SOPs and requirements (as of 12 March 2022):
- Fully vaccinated travellers do not need to take a pre-departure test or undergo quarantine
- All travellers must undergo Covid-19 testing on arrival in Mauritius
- Unvaccinated travellers will be subjected to a 7-day quarantine in an accommodation of choice upon arrival
For the full advisory, visit this website.
Other countries with borders soon to be opened:
26. New Zealand
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SOPs and requirements (effective from 11:59pm 31 July 2022):
- Travellers must provide proof of a full vaccination status (a digital vaccine certificate or paper document from a relevant authority are both accepted)
- Request for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
- Travellers must present a negative Covid-19 test result either from a supervised rapid antigen test (RAT) administered no more than 24 hours before departure, a supervised loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test no more than 24 hours before departure; or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test administered no more than 48 hours before departure
- Travellers must take two RAT tests after arrival in New Zealand, including the day of arrival and on Day 5/6
For the full advisory, visit this website.
[Disclaimer: These travel requirements are accurate at the time of writing, but may be subject to change. You are advised to check with your airlines or the respective travel advisories for the latest updates.]
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