Entries to 19 Asian Countries Are Prohibited (updated May 13th, 2021)

In order to help slow down the spread of COVID-19 all over the world, entires to 19 countries of Asia are prohibited currently, including Japan, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, Yemen, Mongolia, etc. For international travelers, it is neccessary to learn the entry policy of the arrival country to get better prepared.

Countries in Asia That Are Prohibited

Japan

For the time being, foreign nationals who have stayed in any of the following 152 countries/regions within 14 days prior to the application for landing are denied to enter Japan. Including:

Refer to: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html

Indonesia

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly advises against any non–essential travel to Indonesia until further notice. All foreign nationals that are allowed to enter Indonesia must present a negative PCR COVID-19 test issued a maximum of 72 hours before departure, as well as a fully completed E-HAC. Another PCR COVID-19 test will be administered to all passengers on arrival in Indonesia. Passengers with a negative result will have to undertake 5 days isolation at accommodation certified by the Ministry of Health. A third PCR COVID-19 test will be performed after 5 days, and a negative PCR COVID-19 test must be obtained, before being permitted to continue with onward travel. Any passenger that receives a positive result to the PCR COVID-19 test will be taken to a treatment facility. Refer to: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/indonesia/

Malaysia

The Government of Malaysia has introduced a number of short-term restrictions on international travel. Visa-free travel to Ireland for nationals of South Africa and all countries in South America has been suspended. The Department of Justice has temporarily ceased accepting new visa/preclearance applications globally (with limited exemptions). Refer to: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/coronavirus/general-covid-19-travel-advisory/

Vietnam

Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners since March 22, 2020, until further notice to limit the spread of COVID-19. The measure will not apply to diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts, and skilled workers. Refer to:https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/covid-19-vietnam-travel-updates-restrictions.html/

Afghanistan

All commercial flights have been suspended until further notice.

Azerbaijan

As a preventive measure, Azerbaijan has suspended processing "ASAN Visa". Foreign nationals wishing to visit Azerbaijan are requested to apply for a visa through relevant local Azerbaijani embassies and consulates that will operate in a special mode. Refer to: https://azerbaijan.travel/covid-19-en

Bangladesh

All commercial flights are suspended until at least April 28, 2021.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

All passenger air and rail connections with China are suspended. Arriving foreign nationals must undergo quarantine for up to 1 month.

Iran

From January 14, 2021, foreign nationals traveling from the following countries or regions are prohibited from entering Iraq: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, and Zambia. This policy does not apply to diplomats, official delegations, and personnel from international organizations provided they carry proof of a negative result for COVID-19 issued no more than 72 hours prior to departure using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Iraqi nationals traveling from those locations must undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Iraq. All land border checkpoints are closed to non-essential traffic.

Israel

In view of high infection rates and the spread of variants of concern globally, all passengers who visit the Ukraine, Ethiopia, Brazil, South Africa, India, Mexico, and Turkey within 14 days prior to arrival in Israel must go into isolation, including recovered and vaccinated passengers, beginning May 3, 2021. This requirement does not apply to vaccinated or receoved people who have a 12-hour layover (or shorter) in one of the aforementioned locations. Foreign nationals who arrive from these locations must go into isolation in an accommodation (motel) allocated by the State of Israel. Refer to:https://www.gov.il/en/departments/guides/flying-to-israel-guidlines

Kazakhstan

According to the amendments to the Decree of the Government of the RK “On approval of the Rules for the entry and stay of immigrants in the RK, as well as their departure from the RK and the Rules for the implementation of migration control "immigrants enter the RK and leave the RK through checkpoints at the State Border of the RK, open for international and passenger traffic, by passports or documents replacing them with visas of the RK, unless otherwise established by legislation of RK and / or international treaties ratified by the RK. Refer to:https://egov.kz/cms/en/articles/exit-entry_of_foreign_nationals

Kuwait

The Kuwaiti authorities announced on 21 March 2021 that the ban on entry of non-Kuwaiti citizens would continue until further notice. Exempt from this are immediate family members and domestic workers of Kuwaiti citizens. Refer to: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/kuwait/

Laos

The Government of Lao PDR has suspended all types of visas, including visa on arrival. The Laos-Cambodia, Laos-Thailand and the Laos-Vietnam land borders are all closed and will remain closed until further notice. Refer to: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/laos/

Mongolia

Foreign nationals are prohibited from entering Mongolia. All cross-border commercial flights, passenger rail services, and passenger vehicular traffic are suspended.

Myanmar

On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar Military detained officials from the elected government and announced a one-year State of Emergency, effectively seizing control of the country’s governance. Refer to: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/myanmar-burma/

Nepal

Emergency responses to the Covid-19 crisis in many countries have included restrictions of flights to/from Europe; imposition of new mandatory quarantine arrangements and new restrictions affecting the admission of Irish people travelling to and within the Asia Pacific region. Refer to: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/nepal/

Oman

Suspension of entry to the Sultanate to the arrivals from countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UK, the Republic of Sudan, the Republic of Lebanon, the Republic of South Africa, the Federal Republic of Brazil, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Federal Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Democratic Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Arab Republic of Egypt(Effective 7th May 2021) and the Republic of Philippines(Effective 07th May 2021) and those who are arriving from any other country if they have passed any of the mentioned countries within 14 days prior to the request to enter the Sultanate. Refer to: https://www.omanair.com/ae/en/travel-advisory-covid-19-coronavirus-outbreak

Timor-Leste

Foreign nationals are prohibited from entering Timor-Leste. This policy does not apply to persons who were born in Timor-Leste, lawful residents, or to persons who are the legal representative of a Timorese minor. All commercial flights are suspended.

Yemen

From March 17, all air flights from and to all Yemeni airports, all land entrances should be closed except for commercial, relief and humanitarian shipping.

Further reading:
Bullet Train from Beijing to Shanghai: Timetable, Tickets, Prices
China Entry and Travel Restrictions in 2021
Baggage Rules of China Rail