COVID-19 Updates On Travel Advisories and Requirements

29th April 2023

China will have the option to undergo an antigen test instead of a PCR test before boarding, and this must be done within 48 hours. Furthermore, airlines will no longer be obligated to verify pre-boarding COVID-19 test certificates.

9th September 2022

Mask wearing on international flights to Australia is no longer mandatory. Travelers continue to be encouraged to consider wearing a mask to reduce their personal risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.

4th September 2022

Quarantine is no longer mandatory for all travelers arriving from abroad to Qatar, however, travelers who test positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Qatar must undergo self-isolation measures in accordance with the procedures followed in the State of Qatar.

3rd August 2022

Both indoor and outdoor events in Puerto Rico require attendees to provide updated proof of vaccination, inclusive of the primary series of one or two doses as well as the corresponding boosters.

1st August 2022

While face masks are no longer required in most parts of the country, you must still wear a FFP2 face mask on public transport and in pharmacies in Vienna.

17th June 2022

The Thailand Pass is no longer required for all travelers to enter Thailand as of 1st July 2022.

12th June 2022

The Philippines revoked its Order requiring all airline or other aircraft passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 to board any aircraft.

28th May 2022

All of Turkey’s entry restrictions were lifted. Passengers are no longer required to take a COVID-19 test result to enter Türkiye.

1st May 2022

All arriving passengers will no longer be obliged to provide COVID-19 related documents (i.e., COVID-19 vaccination certificates, COVID-19 recovery certificates, COVID-19 medical examinations) in order for them to be allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

17th December 2021

Pakistan International Airlines is an international airline that serves as the national flag carrier of Pakistan under the administrative control of the Secretary to the Government of Pakistan for Aviation.Pakistan

12th April 2022

Australia Digital Passenger Declaration required for all passengers. Parents should complete a DPD for all children 16 years and under.

1st April 2022

• Canada no longer requires travelers who are fully vaccinated to provide a pre-entry Covid-19 test result (such as a PCR or an antigen test) to enter the country as of Friday, April 1.Until recently, even vaccinated Canadians had to provide proof of negative test results to enter the country.
• From April 1, travelers entering Thailand under every entry scheme (Sandbox, Test & Go, and AQ) are no longer required to present a COVID-19 RT-PCR test result upon arrival in Thailand. However, they still have to undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR test in Thailand as specified in their entry scheme (Test on Day 1 for Test & Go/Sandbox or Test on Day 4-5 for AQ).

29th March 2022

Sweden removes the entry ban on non-essential travel from third countries starting from April 1st.

24th March 2022

Singapore will scrap its outdoor mask mandate and remove travel curbs.

14th March 2022

All remaining Covid travel measures, including the Passenger Locator Form and tests for all arrivals, will be stood down for travel to the UK from 4 am on 18 March.

11th March 2022

Maldives Approved vaccine list:
• Pfizer/BioNTech
• AstraZeneca
• Moderna
• Sinovac
• Sputnik V
• Covishield
• Johnson & Johnson
• Sinopharm

9th March 2022

Passengers between 12 and 18 years of age have been exempted from the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for travel to Pakistan up to April 30, 2022.
Unvaccinated passengers over 12 years of age are required to possess mandatory negative PCR Test results conducted within 72 hours prior to commencement of travel to Pakistan.

8th March 2022

Malaysia will reopen its borders to international travelers from April 1.
• Unvaccinated travelers entering the country must undergo 5 days quarantine
• The Health Minister said travelers who are not fully vaccinated will also be subjected to local Covid-19 protocols when in the country, including not being allowed to dine-in at restaurants.
• The entry of travellers and the country’s land borders are still being detailed and will be announced soon.

7th March 2022

Within the scope of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic measures, the following decisions regarding entry to Türkiye have been taken by the country’s relevant authorities.
Quarantine measures will not be applied to the following:
• Passengers who have received at least two doses of the vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization or by Türkiye (one dose for Johnson & Johnson), who submit a document stating that their most recent vaccination took place at least 14 days earlier.
• Passengers who submit a document issued by the relevant country’s official authorities stating that they have had the virus within the last 6 months. The 6-month period starts from the 28th day of the first PCR positive test result.
• Passengers who, before entering Turkey, present a negative PCR test result received within the last 72 hours or a negative rapid antigen test taken within the last 48 hours.
Source: Turkish Airlines

5th March 2022

Saudi Arabia Scraps Mandatory PCR & Quarantine Requirement
COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted for passengers traveling to Saudi Arabia, including
• A negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate is no longer required for travel to Saudi Arabia.
• Abolishment of Institutional Quarantine after arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Make sure that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 and carry your vaccination certificate with you.

4th March 2022

Effective from March 5th, 2022, the following changes have been brought regarding the PCR requirement;
• A PCR test result is no longer required upon arrival in the Maldives for vaccinated travelers.
• Tourists who are vaccinated and stay on inhabited islands are no longer required to present their PCR test results upon departure.

3rd March 2022

• Passengers who have received two doses (second dose at least 14 days ago) of the approved vaccine are accepted to travel to Oman without COVID-19 PCR Test results.
• Pakistan is now on the green list for travels to France. No negative test is required on departure for being fully vaccinated. The travelers must hold proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated travelers must present a pre-departure negative test.

1st March 2022

Notice for passengers traveling to and from Sri Lanka
• Upon entering, all test reports and required documents, including proof of vaccination, must be in English. RAT self-swabs are not acceptable.
• COVID-19 PCR Tests or Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) are not required for fully vaccinated travelers or children under 12 years of age before traveling to Sri Lanka.
• Travellers infected with COVID-19 before their departure flight, and have received at least one recommended vaccine dose, do not require a PCR Test or RAT before boarding their flight. The traveler must provide verifiable documents to prove a past history of infection with COVID-19, such as a Diagnosis card or Positive PCR Test/RAT Report.
• If a Traveller with a single dose of vaccine for COVID-19 was infected with COVID-19 more than 6 months prior to the departure flight into Sri Lanka, then the traveler shall require a negative pre-departure PCR test/RAT. PCR test shall be done within 72hrs prior to departure, or a RAT done within 48hrs prior to Departure.
• All other Travellers of 12 years and above who are not fully vaccinated and do not fall into the above categories (Number 3 & 4) shall mandatorily obtain a negative pre-departure COVID-19 PCR Test report done within 72 hours prior to departure OR a negative Rapid Antigen Test report done within 48 hours prior to departure.
• When a traveler has been infected with COVID-19, then the traveler shall plan to arrive in Sri Lanka, at least 07 days after contracting COVID-19 infection.
Source - Civil Aviation Authority Sri Lanka

25th February 2022

• In-flight meal service to resume on domestic flights from March 1. It was suspended due to Coronavirus cases in the country caused by the Omicron variant.

23rd February 2022

• Passengers who are fully vaccinated and traveling to Pakistan will not need to undergo PCR tests. For non-vaccinated individuals over 12, a negative PCR must be conducted 72 hours before departure.

22nd February 2022

• The Government of the United Arab Emirates has lifted the compulsory requirement of pre-departure Rapid PCR for passengers traveling to UAE from Pakistan. All UAE-bound passengers are required only to provide a negative PCR Report within 48 hours of departure.

17th February 2022

• Starting February 28, the Government of Canada is eliminating the pre-arrival PCR test requirement and easing the arrival testing requirement for fully vaccinated travelers. A rapid antigen test can instead be taken by fully vaccinated travelers 24 hours before their flight or arrival at the border, if the country they come from allows it.

9th February 2022

• Sweden has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for arrivals from other EU & Schengen Countries
• From February 2022, Norway is removing nearly all its COVID-19 restrictions, as well as easing its entry rules.

8th February 2022

• Australia will allow tourists to enter the country from February 21, after keeping it's border closed for almost two years for non citizens.

7th February 2022

• With effect from February 8, Pakistan has abolished the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at airports for international arriving passengers. Deportees traveling without the mandatory pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test report with a negative result (if the report is older than 48 hours) will be subject to RAT upon arrival at Pakistan airports.
• As of immediately, every passenger must carry two copies of the COVID-19 PCR test report in order to clear Pakistani immigration, as it has now become a mandatory requirement.

4th February 2022

• COVID-19 PCR test certificates are not required for all passengers transiting via Dubai, unless their final destination requires it.

PCR Test Exemptions

Following categories of passengers are exempted from PCR test requirements:

• UAE nationals are exempt from taking the COVID-19 PCR test before traveling to Dubai. Regardless of whether they have a valid COVID-19 RT-PCR certificate from their place of origin, they must be tested on arrival in Dubai. Additionally, this policy applies to passengers accompanying 1st degree relatives or domestic workers accompanying UAE national sponsors.
• Children under the age of 12 and passengers with moderate or severe disabilities are exempt from taking the COVID-19 RT-PCR test.

23rd January 2022

• The government of Pakistan has made COVID-19 vaccine booster doses available to passengers traveling abroad for free.

19th January 2022

• All Plan B Covid restrictions in England will be lifted, including mask wearing from 11th February.

16th January 2022

• The Pakistani civil aviation authority announced restrictions on serving snacks and meals on planes due to an increase in Coronavirus cases in the country caused by the Omicron variant.

6th January 2022

• Thai Airways International has announced it will resume flights to Pakistan from February 1. Initially, Thai Airways will offer two flights each to Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
• Only full vaccinated people coming from A,B, C category counties will be allowed to travel inbound Pakistan .
• All passengers of 6 years and above coming from any country from any country would required to possess a valid negative PCR report conducted within 48 hours prior traveling to Pakistan .
• Passengers transiting through KSA, UAE & Qatar will randomly be subjected to Rapid Antigen Test on arrival to Pakistan .

21st December 2021

• The National Command and Operation Center has revised their travel policies for people returning from the United Kingdom to Pakistan via direct and indirect flights. The new policy requires a rapid antigen COVID-19 test upon arrival in Pakistan.

14th December 2021

• National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has announced that Pakistanis stranded in Category C countries, including valid National Identity Cards of Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and Pakistan Origin Cards (POC) holders will be allowed to return without exemption until December 31.

6th December 2021

• Eight more countries have been added to the Category C list of countries from which travellers are not allowed to enter Pakistan following the threat emanating from the COVID-19 variant Omicorn.
• The new Category C list includes Croatia, Hungary, Netherlands, Ukraine, Ireland, Slovenia, Vietnam, Poland, South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

29th November 2021

New Travel Update by NCOC Due to Omicron Corona Variant

• Consequent to emergence of Omicron corona variant in South Africa and its spread to adjoining: regions following countries have also been included in Cat C and complete ban has been imposed on directI indirectInbound travel from these countries with immediate effect:-
  • South Africa .
  • Hong Kong .
  • Mozambique .
  • Namibia .
  • Eswatini .
  • Lesotho .
• Pakistani passengers travelling from these countries on extreme emergency will only be allowed after obtaining exemptions and following healthI testing protocols will be ensured for these passengers:-
  • Vaccination certificate.
  • Negative PCR report (max 72 hours old) before boarding.
  • RAT on arrival at the airport.
  • RAT negative cases will undergo 3 days mandatory home quarantine and re-RAT will be conducted on 3rd day by civil administration.
  • RAT positive cases will undergo 10 days mandatory quarantine (government / self-paid) and PCR test will be 1conducted on 10th day in quarantine.
• However to facilitate stranded Pakistanis,travel from these countries till 5 December 21 will be allowed without exemption but above-mentioned health / testing protocols will remain applicable.

26th November 2021

• Saudi Arabia will begin allowing direct entry to Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, and India on December 1, lifting the requirement that travelers first spend two weeks outside the six countries.

24th November 2021

• New Zealand will reopen its borders to fully-vaccinated foreigners on 30 April 2022. The foreigners will have to self-isolate for seven days and be tested upon arrival. As part of the re-opening, fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and residents who are in Australia will be allowed to return from 16 January onwards, then all other New Zealanders will be allowed entry from 13 February.

22th November 2021

• As of Nov. 30, Canada will expand the list of COVID-19 vaccines that travellers can receive in order to be considered fully vaccinated for travel to Canada. The list will include Sinopharm, Sinovac, and COVAXIN, in keeping with the World Health Organization Emergency use list.
• From 1 December 2021, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can come to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. Eligible visa holders include skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders. Under these arrangements, travellers must:
  • Be fully vaccinated with a completed dosage of a vaccine approved or recognised by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
  • Hold a valid visa for one of the eligible visa subclasses.
  • Provide proof of their vaccination status.
  • Present a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within three days of departure.
  .

19th November 2021

• Malaysia has partially reopened its borders to foreign tourists, allowing vaccinated visitors to travel to the islands of Langkawi ahead of Malaysia opening up the entire country to tourism in January 2022.

16th November 2021

• India opened to foreign tourists from countries with reciprocal agreements after a 20-month ban because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

9th November 2021

• UK approves Sinopharm, Sinovac for inward travellers from Nov 22

  The vaccines approved by the UK government are:

  • Oxford/AstraZeneca.
  • Pfizer BioNTech.
  • Moderna.
  • Janssen.

• and from November 22, vaccines listed in the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing:

  • Sinovac.
  • Sinopharm Beijing.
  • Covaxin.
• With immediate effect, the following passengers will be allowed to undertake international inbound travel to Pakistan from category C countries up to 30th November
  • All pakistan passport holders.
  • Pakistanis on short term visits & schedule to return.
  • Valid NICOP/POC Holders.
• All other guidelines for for inbound travels to pakistan including vaccination criteria, pre departure PCR testing, on arrival Rapid Antigen Testing and any or all guidelines / protocol mandate by competent authority will be applicable on all passengers undertaking international inbound travel to pakistan.

8th November 2021

• All passengers travelling to United States will be required to share the proof of vaccination at check-in & to the CBP at port of entry.

4th November 2021

• The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in view of “mass vaccination undertaken by various countries and a downward trend in all COVID-19 indicators across the globe” has decided to restore inbound air traffic at full capacity from November 10.

26th October 2021

• Iran reopens it's border for international tourism after nearly two years.

12th October 2021

• Thailand plans to end Covid quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers from at least 10 low-risk nations from 1 November.

7th October 2021

• As of October 11, passengers from Pakistan arriving in the UK with NADRA-approved vaccination certificates will only be required to undergo a day 2 test in England without self-isolation. There are four vaccines approved by the UK against COVID-19: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

6th October 2021

Following categories allowed to travel directly to Saudi Arabia from suspended countries including Pakistan.

• Faculty members of universities, colleges, institutes.
• Public education teachers.
• General training authority in technical/vocational training institutes.
• Scholarship students
  • Institutional quarantine will be applied which includes their companions and families.
  • Excluded from the institutional quarantine is anyone who received one dose or completed both doses of vaccine inside Saudi Arabia.

4th October 2021

• Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is going to resume flights for Kuwait City.

3rd October 2021

• UK will accept NADRA-issued COVID-19 vaccine certificates from Pakistani travellers.

30th September 2021

• Get vaccinated to avoid inconvenience! From 1st October, non vaccinated/ partially vaccinated individuals will face restrictions in many sectors including traveling, shopping, gatherings and school jobs etc.
• Children aged 12 years and above are now eligible for the free of cost vaccine. They will only be given the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.
• From October 1, only vaccinated people will be allowed to enter and work at airports of Pakistan.

29th September 2021

• Pakistan's National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has allowed resumption of in-flight meal service aboard domestic flights from October 1. The meal service was suspended since August to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

25th September 2021

• The Civil Aviation Authority has extended restrictions on inbound flights till October 31, continuing the ban on several countries placed in category C. All passengers arriving in the country will be subject to testing and quarantine stipulations as per current procedure.

23rd September 2021

• Effective October 1, 2021, Only fully vaccinated passengers of age 17 years and above will be allowed to undertake Domestic/International travel on Inbound/Outbound travel to/from Pakistan.

22nd September 2021

• Pakistan has imposed restrictions on the flight operation of Kuwaiti-designated airlines from October 1. The Civil Aviation Authority has repeatedly requested the Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority to allow Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to resume its flights to and from Kuwait which were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, unfortunately to no avail.

20th September 2021

• Thailand resumes the visa & COE issuance for all types of visa categories travelling from Pakistan to Thailand.

17th September 2021

• UK removes Pakistan from Red list countries.

16th September 2021

Accepted Covid-19 Vaccines in Canada

• Moderna Spikevax.
• Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty.
• AstraZeneca Vaxzevria.
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).

13th September 2021

• Vaccination is now available for the 15 to 18 year old age group in Pakistan. To register for the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, send a text message with your Child Registration Form (B-Form) number to 1166.

8th September 2021

Domestic Air Travel

• Only fully vaccinated passengers will be allowed to undertake domestic air travel within Pakistan.

International Air Travel:

• Only fully vaccinated passengers will be allowed to undertake international inbound travel to/outbound travel from Pakistan.

Exempted passengers for Domestic and International Air Travel:

• Passengers below 17 years of age are exempted.
• Passengers medically advised against COVID-19 vaccine administration and holding a medical certificate certifying the same.

7th September 2021

• Kuwait Airways resuming flights between Kuwait City and Lahore with once-a-week service.

6th September 2021

• Philippines lifted travel bans today on ten countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, UAE, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
• In a meeting between the airport management, airline staff, and testing laboratories at Faisalabad Airport, it was agreed to reduce the price of PCR rapid tests from PKR 6,500/- to PKR 5,000.

2nd September 2021

• Bahrain removes Pakistan from its Red list.

31st August 2021

• Booster vaccination doses of Sinopharm, Sinovac and Pfizer will be available for international travelers.

29th August 2021

• The United Arab Emirates has announced it will resume issuing visas to all tourists fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
• Pakistan's CAA has approved five UN workers from Bangkok (Thailand) to arrive in Islamabad. Upon arrival at Islamabad Airport, UN workers will undergo COVID-19 tests. They will also be quarantined for up to ten days.

26th August 2021

• Passengers transiting through Dubai from Pakistan are required to take Rapid PCR tests.

25th August 2021

• Saudi Arabia will allow Pakistani Iqama (residence permit) holders who have taken two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia direct entry.

24th August 2021

• After September 30, only fully vaccinated passengers will be allowed to board international flights departing and arriving at Pakistani airports.

22nd August 2021

• Travellers arriving in Saudi Arabia must complete a mandatory 7-day institutional quarantine at their own expense at the institutional quarantine facility in their city of arrival.

19th August 2021

• Kuwait has allowed commercial flights to resume with Pakistan while adhering to COVID-19.

16th August 2021

• Eight major international airports have been made available with rapid PCR testing, namely Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan and Sialkot.

13th August 2021

• All vaccination centers across the Country will remain open on 14th August.
• Islamabad Airport gets Rapid COVID-19 test facility for UAE travellers.

11th August 2021

• According to high commissioner of Pakistan UK is looking into removing Pakistan from travel red list.
• UAE has again revised its travel rules for its residents living in Pakistan and five other countries, exempting them from carrying the Covid-19 vaccination certificate while traveling to Dubai.
• The National Command and Operation Centre has decided that vaccination certificates for Covid-19 will become mandatory for air travel after September 10.

10th August 2021

• As of Oct 1, the National Command and Operation Centre will not allow unvaccinated people to travel on trains. All provinces should ensure that standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed during Muharram.

9th August 2021

Incoming international passengers traveling to Pakistan will have to adhere to the following stipulations starting on August 9, 2021

• All inbound passengers of age 6 years and above will be required to possess a valid negative PCR Test Result conducted within the 72 hours prior to commencement of travel to Pakistan.
• All arriving passengers of age 6 years and above will be tested through Rapid Antigen Testing upon arrival in Pakistan.
• Positive testing passengers between age of 6 and 12 years will be Home quarantined under the supervision of concerned Civil Administration and Positive testing passengers above 12 years of age will be quarantined at a designated facility.

7th August 2021

• Moderna vaccine has been made available to students under 18 who intend to travel abroad.

5th August 2021

• PIA will not serve mineral water to its domestic flight passengers due to the spread of COVID-19.

30th July 2021

• PIA is resuming its flights to the UK. PIA passengers would again be able to fly directly between Pakistan and three destinations in the United Kingdom.

24th July 2021

As per Pakistan CAA Advisory Effective August 01, 2021

• Domestic airlines require adults age 18 and older to be COVID vaccinated before flying.
• Passengers will have to present the NADRA vaccination certificate at the time of Check-in at the airport.
• The partially vaccinated will have to show NADRA SMS from 1166 or partially vaccinated certificate downloaded from NADRA website.
• Following categories of passengers are exempted from this restriction;
  • Passenger below the age of 18 years.
  • Foreign Nationals.
  • Pakistani Nationals having documentary proof of vaccination abroad.
  • Patients who are clinically advised against vaccination due to risk of reaction.
• International passenger traveling arriving in or departing from Pakistan and having connected domestic flights within 72hrs of arrival or departure respectively.
• A random Rapid Antigen Test may also be conducted for visitors to Gilgit Baltistan Airports, as deemed appropriate by the Gilgit Baltistan government.