Immigration updates for India, Japan, Singapore and Thailand
Asia-Pacific
India: Mandatory pre-booking for Covid test
The Indian government has declared that individuals arriving at Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai airports from risk countries need to pre-book Covid tests here.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Government of India.
Registration requirements for arrivals from Paris
All travelers arriving in India from Paris or via Paris (connecting flight) need to register online by filing a Google form. Travelers must also sign the Undertaking / Indemnity bond form in addition to self-declaration on the Air Suvidha portal. Further information about the Google form, Undertaking /Indemnity, and detailed instructions can be found here.
Travelers will be stopped from boarding flights if they do not register themselves while traveling to India from Paris or via Paris.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Embassy of India in Paris.
Japan: Travel restrictions
Japan has decided to take the following measures as an emergency precaution in response to the global spread of the Omicron variant according to the Japanese government announcement:
- New entry of foreign nationals from all over the world is suspended.
- Japanese nationals and other residents in Japan may return, but those from countries and regions designated by the Japanese government will be required to stay in accommodations.
Without special exceptional circumstances, all foreign nationals with a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) are still not allowed to enter Japan for the time being.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Prime Minister’s Office (in Japanese).
Singapore: Suspension of ticket sales for Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights into Singapore
With the surge of the Omicron variant overseas, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced changes to VTL entry to Singapore. The ticket sales are suspended for designated VTL flights for entry into Singapore from all VTL countries until January 20, 2022. From January 21, 2022, Safe Travel Office CAAS will cap the total ticket sales at 50% of the allocated quota.
Travelers who received the Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) approval under the VTL, secured the designated VTL flight tickets, and meet all the VTL conditions are eligible to continue their travel to Singapore.
The Singapore Authorities will closely monitor the evolving Covid-19 situation and update the border measures as the situation changes.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Channel News Asia.
Covid-19 vaccination requirements for Long-Term Pass applications
The Singapore Authorities announced that the full Covid vaccination will be mandatory for the approval of new and the renewal of Long-Term Pass applications, effective February 01, 2022.
To be considered fully vaccinated, applicants must receive the full regimen of WHO EUL vaccines (refer to “Covid-19 Vaccine EUL issued” section) at least 14 days before arriving in Singapore. Vaccines requiring two doses must be completed either using the same or different brands and taken based on the recommended intervals between each dose. Booster shot is not mandatory for now.
At the point of application, a declaration is required to be confirmed that applicants (work pass and dependents) are fully vaccinated upon arrival in Singapore. The vaccination conditions mentioned will not apply to the following:
- Dependents who are below 12-years-old.
- Dependents aged 12 to 18-years-old can continue to make a declaration to complete the full vaccination regimen after arriving in Singapore. They will need to get their first vaccination in Singapore within one month of arrival and must complete the full vaccination regime within 2 months of arrival.
- Pass holders who are medically ineligible for vaccination, provided they submit a doctor’s memo at the point of application, and undergo a medical review upon arrival in Singapore
All pass holders (unless exempted) are required to submit or present their vaccination certificates as part of the verification process. Pass holders who are not able to produce the necessary documentation will be denied boarding or entry into Singapore unless prior exemptions have been granted. All pass holders are still required to adhere to Singapore’s prevailing Immigration entry requirements and health protocols.
Pass holders who are vaccinated overseas must update their vaccination records in the National Immunization Registry (NIR). They will be given a grace period of 30-days upon arrival in Singapore to undergo and show a positive serology test result taken at a Public Health Preparedness Clinic.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Straits Times.
Lifting Entry restrictions
All travelers with a 14-days travel history to the countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe are allowed to enter and transit through Singapore. They will be subjected to border measures under Category IV countries / regions classification. The Singapore Authorities will closely monitor the evolving Covid-19 situation and update the border measures as the situation evolves.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Ministry of Health.
Thailand: Temporary Pass suspension
Due to the number of Omicron variant cases increasing significantly, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has temporarily suspended the “Thailand Pass” for all new TEST&GO and Sandbox applications (except Phuket Sandbox) until further notice.
All travelers who have already received a Thailand Pass QR code will be allowed to enter Thailand under the existing conditions of the scheme they have registered (TEST&GO, Sandbox Programme, or Happy Quarantine). For those seeking to enter on an approved Thailand pass there will be a likely cut off date of 10 January.
The government will introduce new measures for contact tracing and will ensure all travelers be tested two times using the RT-PCR method and the second test will take place at a government-designated facilities (no additional cost).
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Tat News.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager (APAC).
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