Corona Travel Updates

General Guidelines on Travel To and From Pakistan

From 5th January 2022 onwards, Category B and C are abolished with immediate effect. The following protocols must be followed by all inbound passengers:

• Proof of full vaccination must be shown to relevant authorities.
• Negative PCR Report before boarding (48 hours old).
• 100% RAT on arrival for all direct flights from Europe.
• At Least 50% of flights will undergo RAT arriving from KSA, UAE and Qatar.
• If tested positive, passengers must quarantine for 10 days and get tested on the 8th day of arrival.

Pakistanis if not able to get vaccinated abroad, are exempted from showing proof of vaccination after providing relevant evidence to airline/immigration authorities under the following conditions:

• Medical conditions.
• Pregnant women.
• Expired visa or illegal residents/ deportees.

For more information, please go to https://covid.gov.pk/travel-guidelines

Domestic Flights within Pakistan

As per the directions of NCOC, the guidelines for domestic air travel will be effective from 1st December 2021. It has been decided that only fully vaccinated passengers of age 15 years and above will be allowed to travel within Pakistan. The only exemptions will be given under the following conditions:

• Pakistani passengers under the age of 15 years can travel within the country without a vaccination certificate.
• Foreign nationals/foreigners below the age of 18 can travel domestically.
• Foreign passport holders who have travelled to Pakistan before 1st October 2021, can continue to travel domestically.
• Pakistani nationals having documentary proof of vaccination abroad.
• Passengers who are medically advised to hold the COVID-19 vaccination administration. They must also carry a certificate to prove their medical condition certifying the same.

International Flights To and From Pakistan

Only fully vaccinated passengers will be permitted to take inbound travel to and outbound from Pakistan. The only exemptions to stipulations will be given under the following conditions:

• Passengers below 17 years of age.
• Foreign nationals/foreigners below the age of 18 can travel domestically.
• Pakistani nationals having documentary proof of vaccination abroad.
• Passengers who are medically advised to hold the COVID-19 vaccination administration. They must also carry a certificate to prove their medical condition certifying the same.

Passengers intending to move outbound from Pakistan will abide by all COVID-19 related necessary requirements made compulsory by other countries and/or airline operators. All concerned are advised to ensure strict obedience with the instructions contained in this directive.

Who Cannot Enter Pakistan at This Moment?

• As per the directions of NCOC, the guidelines for domestic air travel will be effective from 1st December 2021. It has been decided that only fully vaccinated passengers of age 15 years and above will be allowed to travel within Pakistan. The only exemptions will be given under the following conditions:
• Pakistani passengers under the age of 15 years can travel within the country without a vaccination certificate.
• Foreign nationals/foreigners below the age of 18 can travel domestically.
• Foreign passport holders who have travelled to Pakistan before 1st October 2021, can continue to travel domestically.
• Pakistani nationals having documentary proof of vaccination abroad.
• Passengers who are medically advised to hold the COVID-19 vaccination administration. They must also carry a certificate to prove their medical condition certifying the same.

International Flights To and From Pakistan

Only fully vaccinated passengers will be permitted to take inbound travel to and outbound from Pakistan. The only exemptions to stipulations will be given under the following conditions:

• Passengers below 17 years of age.
• Foreign nationals/foreigners below the age of 18 can travel domestically.
• Pakistani nationals having documentary proof of vaccination abroad.
• Passengers who are medically advised to hold the COVID-19 vaccination administration. They must also carry a certificate to prove their medical condition certifying the same.

Passengers intending to move outbound from Pakistan will abide by all COVID-19 related necessary requirements made compulsory by other countries and/or airline operators. All concerned are advised to ensure strict obedience with the instructions contained in this directive.

Who Cannot Enter Pakistan at This Moment?

• At present, travelers travelling from Mozambique, Namibia, Poland, Netherlands, Slovenia, South Africa, Ukraine, Zimbabwe and Vietnam are not allowed to enter.
• This does not apply to
• Pakistani nationals.
• Pakistani nationals of 15 to 18 years of age till 15th February, 2022.
• Foreign nationals below the age of 18 years.
• Passengers who departed from Pakistan before 1st October, 2021.
• Passenger who is not allowed to get vaccinated on medical grounds.
• Passengers must show a negative PCR test report 48 hours prior to the departure from the first embarkation point. The result must be in English or Arabic. However, this does not apply to:
• Disabled passengers.
• Passengers below the age of 6 years.

Mandatory Registration on Pass Track App

Travelers arriving or leaving Pakistan should:

• Provide traveler contact information through
• Pass Track mobile app downloaded on their mobile devices or submit their details at https://passtrack.nitb.gov.pk/
• Go through a screening process by a health representative.
• Make available a certificate of negative COVID-19 PCR Test.

This process does not apply to:

• Passengers below the age of 12 years.
• Disabled passengers.

Traveling to Pakistan? What Do You Need to Know Before Arriving in the Country?

Government has decided to terminate the quarantine facilities provided by the state with immediate effect. Guests arriving to Pakistan if detected as RAT positive must observe home quarantine themselves until test results declare them RAT negative. Passengers currently observing quarantine in centralized quarantine facilities will be accommodated accordingly. However, the testing protocols would still be applicable.

They must also submit their relevant information on the Pass Track app or have a printed copy of uploaded information generated by the app prior to the issuance of boarding passes at the point of original embarkation.

Following passengers shall be exempted both from Rapid Antigen Test and Pass Track app uploading requirement for inbound or outbound travel:

• Passengers below 6 years for Rapid Antigen Test upon their arrival.
• Passengers below the age of 12 years for Pass Track registration.
• Disabled passengers.
• High-level international delegations.
• Pakistani Deportees and airline and airport crew shall only be exempted from Pass Track and quarantine of 10 days; however, RT-PCR/Rapid Antigen Test shall be mandatory.

Turkey Travel Updates

Keeping the ongoing pandemic in mind, Turkiye have been taking measures throughout the period. The travel restrictions. The most recent measures taken by the country are to be followed with immediate effects.

• Covid-19 PCR Test is no longer a requirement.
• Passengers who are fully vaccinated via vaccinations approved by WHO or by the nation. Moreover, the visitors need to show a vaccination card stating that the second shot was taken 14 days prior to the travel date.
• Tourists under the age of 12 are exempted from PCR test/RAT and showing proof of vaccination.
• Passengers must fill out a form for the entry into the country at register.health.gov.tr within 72 hours before flight.
• As per the new policy, any individual traveling to Turkey must have a document from the concerned country stating that at-least 6 months have passed by when the individual has contracted the virus. The period of 6 months starts from the 28th day of the first day of positive PCR results. For example, if you get a positive PCR report on 1 of March then the 6-month period starts from 29th of March onwards.

Saudi Arabia Lifts Covid-19 Travel Restrictions 2022

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Heath has announced to lift up all SOPs regarding Covid- 19. The decision was made keeping in mind the ongoing situation in the country and around the globe. The following changes have been made after getting approved by the official health authorities

• PCR tests and RAT are no longer required by the visitors arriving in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Quarantine requirement has been abolished for the passengers entering into the country.
• However, people arriving in the territory must buy medical insurance that covers all their costs if they need any kind of treatment within the country during the period of their stay.
• Wearing a mask is no longer needed. But, wearing a mask inside the mosque is mandatory. Nevertheless, social distancing is still applicable in all outdoor and indoor areas.
• Pilgrims can carry out their religious activities without any restrictions to maintain social distancing including Grand Mosque in Makkah ad Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
• Pilgrims do not need to book their prayer slots online for the two mosques: Masjid Nabawi and Haram. Though, if pilgrims wish to pray or perform Umrah in the Rawdah, which is close to the tomb, one is still required to book Umrah or prayer slots in the Masjid-e-Nabwi and Haram via Tawakkalna and Eatmarna apps.
• Saudi Arabia has lifted the flight suspensions from 17 countries including – Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Madagascar, Zambia, Comoros, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Angola and Seychelles.
• Ministry has asked the people to take third booster shot and Tawakkalna app is a must if you want to access public places, airports, public transport, office and private building.

China:

Special flights passengers from Pakistan are required to provide 2 Nucleic Acid tests for COVID-19 with a negative result. Passengers must carry 2 printed copies of COVID-19 test certificate (SMS, WhatsApp/digital certificates are not acceptable). The first test is to be taken within 120 hours (5 days), and the second test is to be taken within 36 hours (3 days) prior to boarding. Passengers of regular commercial flights to China, or transferring from flights via other countries, are required to provide a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 with negative results within 3 days.

Uzbekistan:

Travelers to Uzbekistan must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. The test must have been taken at most 72 hours before the departure of the flight to Uzbekistan. The test result must be in English or Russian (NIH-approved Test Lab having BAR/QR Codes are acceptable). PCR exemption is for infants only (i.e., less than 2 years old).

Albania:

Except for screening measures in the presence of medical personnel, there are no testing requirements for entry into Albania.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Travelers to Bosnia must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus PCR test result issued at most 48 hours before arrival.

Kosovo

Travelers must have a negative RT-PCR test certificate for COVID-19 done in the last 72 hours. Quarantine is mandated only if you don’t carry the certificate.

Russia

Passengers entering Russia must have a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before arrival.

Serbia

Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result issued at most 48 hours before arrival. Quarantine is mandated only if you don’t carry the result.

Montenegro

Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point. This doesn’t apply to passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate if they have received the second dose at least 7 days before arrival and those with a positive serological -IgG antibodies test result issued at most 30 days before arrival.

Cape Verde

No test or quarantine required.

Djibouti:

Quarantine is not required if COVID test result returns negative.

Ghana:

Quarantine is not required if COVID test result returns negative.

Kenya:

Quarantine is not required if COVID test result returns negative.

Mozambique:

Quarantine is not required when presenting a valid negative test result.

Rwanda:

Passengers entering or transiting through Rwanda must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point. No quarantine is necessary unless arriving from India or Uganda.

Seychelles:

Travelers must have a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours of departure for Seychelles. Fully vaccinated travelers can enter Seychelles without quarantine.

Togo:

Quarantine is not required if COVID test result returns negative.

Uganda:

Travelers showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested upon arrival and required to quarantine until results are in.

Zambia:

Travelers must present a negative COVID test and will be quarantined if showing symptoms.

Canada:

Passengers are subject to self-isolation/quarantine for 14 days after arrival. Passengers must have a negative nucleic acid PCR, serum IgM antibody and IgG antibody test result for COVID-19, the test performed from an authorized lab within 72 hours before flight departure. Travelers must also submit their travel and contact information, quarantine plan and a COVID-19 symptoms self-assessment form digitally via ArriveCAN mobile application ( available on web as well). ArriveCAN confirmation receipt (either through mobile or printed confirmation) will be required at check-in counter and after arrival in Canada.

After Arrival:

Passengers will be required to:

1- Show ArriveCAN confirmation (proof of digital submission) receipt.

2- Confirm arrival at the address of their quarantine/isolation location within 48 hours of entry into Canada.

3- Need to complete daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessments during the quarantine period.

Bermuda:

Travelers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 5 days before arrival. Unvaccinated travelers will need to quarantine for 14 days in a hotel at their own expense. The hotel must be booked here. A travel authorization needs to be obtained at most 3 days before departure.

Ecuador:

Passengers to Ecuador aged 2 and above must have one of the following documents.

• A completed “Declaración de salud del viajero” must be presented upon arrival.
• Negative COVID-19 antigen or RT-PCR test taken at most 3 days before arrival
• COVID-19 vaccination certificate, or a
• COVID-19 recovery certificate.

Guatemala:

COVID–19 vaccine certificate proving the vaccine was administered at least two weeks prior to arrival, a negative COVID–19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival and proof of having tested positive for COVID–19 and recovered within three months of arrival are the documents required to travel to Guatemala.

Panama:

Travelers to Panama have to show a negative COVID-19 PCR, RT-PCR, or Antigen test result, taken at most 48 hours before arrival and need to take a second test on arrival. A completed “Declaración Jurada de Salud” must be presented upon arrival. Quarantine is necessary for 3 days on arrival.

Paraguay:

Visitors must have a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 LAMP, NAAT or RT-PCR test result, taken at most 72 hours before arrival, and international medical insurance with coverage of coronavirus treatment costs. Passengers must complete a “Traveler’s Health Information” at most 24 hours before departure.

St. Kitts & Nevis:

The authorities of St. Kitts & Nevis have recently announced that the islands will only accept fully vaccinated travelers henceforth. A negative PCR test issued within 72 hours prior to departure is also required.

Venezuela:

All travelers entering Venezuela must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed within 48 hours of boarding their incoming flight and will be subjected to a COVID-19 test at port of entry. Although be warned that a travel history including Venezuela may complicate visas to the USA and other NATO countries.

List of Countries Not Allowing Passengers from Pakistan

• Brunei
• France
• Hong Kong
• Iran
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Malaysia
• Malawi
• Maldives
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• Thailand
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom

The Case of USA:

All travelers to the USA must have proof of a negative COVID-19 NAAT or antigen test within 3 days of departure or provide evidence of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days. They must also complete an attestation form. The CDC recommends that travelers get tested 3 to 5 days after travel and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel, even with a negative test result, but states may also have their own entry requirements for travelers. Acceptable tests include RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, and HDA.

Travelers to the USA must also complete an attestation form and submit it to their airline. The CDC recommends that travelers get tested 3 to 5 days after travel and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel, even with a negative test result.

However, states also have their own entry requirements for travelers. The CDC Travel Planner offers information on COVID entry requirements for specific cities, zip codes, and addresses. You can also consult the information below on entry requirements for each state.