Easing of Travel Restrictions on International Students Entering the United States

On April 27, the Biden administration announced that it would ease travel restrictions this fall on international students entering the United States, including those from China. In a statement, the U.S. Department of State said that the exemption from travel restrictions applied to European students in March of this year would be expanded from August 1 to students and researchers worldwide.

If this materializes, it could help the finances of some universities that have seen enrollment decline amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States currently prohibits entry for most non-U.S. nationals who have stayed in China, Brazil, South Africa, Iran, or European countries within the past two weeks, but under this measure, students from all of these countries will be able to enter the United States on August 1.

Will a “Travel Bubble” Between Singapore and Hong Kong Become a Reality?

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has announced that it has “travel bubble” talks with Hong Kong and has resumed discussions toward making it a reality. A “travel bubble” allows travel between the two countries or regions without quarantine upon arrival.

The two sides had agreed in November of last year to launch a “travel bubble”, but it was postponed after new infections subsequently increased in Hong Kong. However, with Hong Kong’s infection situation recently improving, talks between the two sides have resumed.

Furthermore, from September 1, quarantine requirements for low-risk countries and regions such as Australia (excluding Victoria), Macau, mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia are scheduled to be shortened from 14 days to 7 days. There is also positive news regarding travelers from Brunei and New Zealand: travel restrictions will be lifted in stages, provided they meet the entry conditions of both countries.

Taiwan’s Policy on Easing Entry Restrictions Revealed!

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center has announced a policy to ease entry restrictions in two stages. In the first stage, when the COVID-19 vaccination rate is below 60%, the center will shorten the 14-day movement restriction required of entrants to 7 days; in the second stage, once the rate reaches 60% or higher, the post-entry movement restriction will be waived. A specific schedule has not been set, but experts predict that the vaccination rate will exceed 60% around the Lunar New Year in 2022.

Also, from April 1, Taiwan and Palau launched a “travel bubble”. On the first day, the first group tour from Taiwan to Palau departed from Taoyuan International Airport, and approximately 100 participants in the three-night, four-day tour all tested negative on PCR tests conducted before boarding. To join a group tour, participants must test negative on a PCR test at the airport, must not have left Taiwan in the past six months, and must not have been infected with COVID-19 within the past three months.

In the Asia-Pacific region, talks on a “travel bubble” between Singapore and Hong Kong have resumed, but this is the first such arrangement to be realized.

Thai Government Considering Accepting Foreign Tourists

It was recently revealed that the Thai government is considering accepting foreign tourists from October 1 of this year. The government also disclosed that it is discussing the introduction of a “vaccine passport”, stating that it will first issue certificates to domestic vaccine recipients and is considering enabling these to be used as vaccine passports in the future.

A “vaccine passport” is a document that certifies COVID-19 vaccination history, PCR test results, and similar information.

Regarding the introduction of “vaccine passports” for foreign entrants, the government has stated that certification by international organizations such as the WHO will be a condition.

Conclusion

As outlined above, countries and regions that are considering or resuming the easing of entry restrictions—starting with the United States and including various Asian countries—are gradually increasing. In Japan at present, infections with COVID-19 variants are gaining momentum, and “business track” and “residence track” arrangements with various countries have been temporarily suspended.

The world is surely watching how far Japan, as the host of the Olympics, can suppress case numbers in a short period. Going forward, rapidly expanding vaccine uptake will be the key to reducing infections.