*Last updated on: September 28, 2021
Covid-19 Passports and QR Codes
What you need to prepare for traveling in the new normal: Do you need a Covid-19 passport? Have you downloaded your QR code?
After what seemed like a never-ending pandemic, things are looking up now that we’re inching towards the end of 2021. With many countries having access to Covid-19 vaccines, more and more people are getting their full vaccinations. With that being said, a hot topic on today’s ‘corona agenda’ is how exactly each country will manage the reopening of economic and social activity… and even more interestingly, what will each country do about travel?
Which countries require COVID passports?
Don’t worry, we’ve gathered some valuable information for you. Read on to find out all you need to know about Covid-19 passports and travel requirements for the following country or regions:
Specific Country Information
What is a COVID-19 Passport?
A Covid-19 passport, or vaccine passport, is an official document that confirms either your vaccination or recovery from the global virus.
Not only are they currently essential for travel purposes, these digital proof of vaccination are now required for entry to non-essential venues, such as dining, going to a sports game, concerts, gyms, and theaters.
How do I get a QR code for vaccination certification?
- Check your state's health department site to see how you can obtain your Covid-19 vaccination records
- Depending on the province, there may be an app for it, but nonetheless you would have to enter some details to retrieve your data
- Once you see your records online, there would be an option to download a QR code to your device
This unique matrix barcode would then be required by either an airport, hotel, and other personals for ensuring your proof of vaccination and entry into certain restricted areas.
COVID-19 Passports in the United Kingdom
Although annoucements to drop the Covid-19 passports for attending certain venues have been released in the UK earlier this month, there is no affiirmative date on when this will take into effect. In regards to travel, UK has also announced that travel restrictions will be eased for those coming from certain countries as of the 4th of October. It is strongly advised that travellers check the official UK government site for certain travel restrictions when entering the country.
Traveling to the UK
Non-Vaccinated Travelers
Before traveling to England you need to:
- Take a Covid-19 test (within 72 hours before traveling)
- Complete a passenger locator form (within 48 hours of arrival)
- Book a quarantine hotel package (if you have been in a red-list country within 10 days before arrival)
Vaccinated Travelers
Travelers are allowed to freely enter the UK (without quarantine restrictions) if they are vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the:
- EMA
- FDA in Europe and the USA
- Swiss vaccination programme
Even if you are fully vaccinated, you still need to complete the passenger locator form mentioned above.
*Note: This guideline does not apply to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Please be sure to check the rules and regulations for these specific destinations.
COVID-19 Passports in the United States of America
After an 18 month travel ban, the US is planning to lift travel restrictions to fully-vaccinated foreign travelers as of early November 2021. US borders will reopen to 33 countries- those of which include India, China, Brazil, and the majority of Europe. Find the list of countries welcoming US travelers.
As for Covid-19 passports, president Joe Biden has officially stated there will be no plans for a national app. This means that the choice is left up to each state to decide whether they will use them or not.
Whilst governments take their own approaches, private ventures- such as workplaces, schools, venues and transportation providers- are also considering their own logistical approaches for how to prove vaccination.
Traveling to the USA
*The following travel information applies to both American citizens and non-citizens
Non-Vaccinated Travelers
If you are a non-vaccinated traveler, you need to:
- Take a Covid-19 test (within 24 hours before traveling)
- Show proof of purchasing a viral test (NAAT or Antigen test) to be taken after arrival
Vaccinated Travelers
If you are a vaccinated traveler, you need to:
- Show proof of full vaccination
- Take a Covid-19 test (within 72 hours before traveling)
Following recent changes to international travel restrictions, it is still to-be-determined, by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which vaccines will be considered eligible for entry to the US.
COVID-19 Passports in Europe
The European Union has issued a Covid-19 Passport in the form of an EU Digital COVID Certificate so that vaccinated EU citizens and residents, as well as their family members, are able to travel easily within the EU.
Whilst you don't necessarily need the EU Digital COVID Certificate to travel, it should- in principle- make traveling easier. Thereby, holders of the EU Digital COVID Certificate are officially exempted from travel restrictions such as testing or quarantine (though the Member States might impose such restrictions on specific countries with a higher Covid-19 rate).
The EU Digital COVID Certificate is digital proof that a person has either:
- A full Covid-19 vaccination
- Received a negative Covid-19 test result
- Recently recovered from Covid-19
*Due to Brexit, this certificate is unfortunately not available to the majority of Brits
Traveling to Europe
3 groups of people are allowed to travel in the EU:
- Vaccinated travelers
- Essential travelers
- Non-essential traveler’s from countries on the EU ('safe countries') list
- Non-EU Travelers
Travelers from non-EU low risk countries are allowed to enter the EU (without quarantine), on the condition that you show either a proof of vaccination or a negative test result taken within 72 hours before travel. You can find a list of non-EU low risk countries here.
Travelers from non-EU high risk countries are banned from entering the EU.
- EU Travelers
Vaccinated EU citizens / residents (and their family members) can travel with their EU Digital COVID Certificate by either downloading a QR code on a mobile device or holding a physical paper copy of the certificate.
Non-Vaccinated EU citizens / residents (and their family members) are required to have a negative PCR test result (taken within 48 hours before travel) or proof of recovery from Covid-19 before they can travel in the EU.
COVID-19 Passports in the Middle East
The United Arab Emirates has announced that they are considering to implement a Covid-19 health pass.
So far, the UAE has been using the Al Hosn app to monitor Covid-19 related information. The Emirati government has been encouraging citizens to get vaccinated by imposing stricter measures that limit the movement of those who are not yet vaccinated (ie. restricting entry to certain places and access to certain services).
The International Air Transport Association has created another app specifically made for travelers, governments, airlines and laboratories to verify Covid-19 vaccinations. The IATA Travel Pass App is currently being tested on routes of the two national airlines: Emirates and Etihad.
Traveling to the Middle East
Vaccinated Travelers
Travellers are allowed to enter the United Arab Emirates (without quarantine restrictions) if they are vaccinated with one of the World Health Organization approved Covid-19 vaccines:
- Pfizer
- AstraZeneca
- Johnson & Johnson
- Moderna
- Sinopharm
- Sinovac
If you are a vaccinated traveler, you need to take:
- A Covid-19 PCR Test (within 72 hours before traveling)
- On arrival, a mandatory PCR Test at the airport
- Follow-up PCR Test(s), as indicated down below...
The follow-up Covid-19 Test(s) that you need to take depend on your country of departure:
Travelers arriving from green-list countries need to take a PCR Test on day 6 of arrival
In total = 3 Covid-19 TestsTravelers arriving from non green-list countries need to take a PCR Test on day 4 and day 8 of arrival
In total = 4 Covid-19 Tests
Non-Vaccinated Travelers
Unvaccinated travelers should avoid non-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates.
What else to keep in mind
Whilst we have provided general guidelines for travel during Covid-19, please make sure you fully understand the rules and regulations in the country you are heading to. Also, don't forget to check for any new information and updates that are posted through the airlines' websites. Compare our best airline deals when you book your flight with BudgetAir. Read our other blog suggestions for useful travel tips when traveling during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Patricia
Hello! My name is Patricia. As an intern at BudgetAir, it's pretty much a prerequisite to love traveling. I'm a big foodie, so I love visiting other countries especially just to try different cuisines. Now that the world is slowly getting back to the way it was before, I would love to go to Japan- for the sushi, of course.