Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected tourism and economic development in many parts of the world. After the country restrictions, visa requirements have changed in many parts of the world. Find out what has changed in travel visa requirements to curb the spread of Covid-19.
New visa requirements based on the number of new cases
To be allowed to make a visa application, the traveler must be from a safe country. This means that over the last 14 days, there have been less than 25 new Covid-19 cases per one hundred thousand inhabitants. Also, the applicants might come from a country that is proved to have a decreasing number and a stable progression of new infections in the last 14 days before the visa application.
The number of Covid-19 tests per inhabitant is equally taken into consideration. Unless the applicant comes from a country where more than 300 tests per 100,000 inhabitants have been made, the application will be rejected. If more than 4% of the tested people are positive in the applicant’s country, their visa application won’t be considered. Besides, if new variants of the coronavirus have been found in the traveler’s country, the country won’t be among those to be granted a visa.
New visa requirements based on the country anti-COVID plan measures
The anti-COVID plan measures adopted by the country are also considered for their citizens to obtain a visa. This plan includes the followings:
- Mass testing. This is another anti-COVID plan strategy that consists of testing a lot of people with or without symptoms.
- Surveillance and contact tracing: If the applicant has been in contact with an infected person, they must be quarantined for 14 days before their trip to break possible chains of transmission.
- Other strategies to fight the transmission of the pandemic are also required including containment, treatment, and reporting.
- The average Covid-19 score is also among the requirements for a visa application. Countries with a high number of positive people are not eligible for a visa.
- Establishment of Green Corridors. Certain groups of people are free from travel restrictions and can apply for a visa. This includes Schengen citizens who have to fly back to their countries of residence. Health care providers, researchers, and citizens who to have to commute across borders are also included in this category. Thus, they can apply for a visa.
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A covid-19 vaccine passport is required to obtain a visa
A Covid-19 vaccine passport is proof of immunization against the pandemic. This means that the travelers must have a vaccine passport to obtain a visa. In addition to the travel visa, this stamp can allow travelers to get across borders especially in countries that require proof of vaccination. A covid-19 vaccine passport is different from vaccination because it allows the owners to be granted permission to enter any destination. This travel document is quite essential for digital nomads, who want to carry out their occupation anywhere in the world. However, some officials refuse the idea of having their citizens display their health condition in a vaccine passport. Making the vaccine mandatory for all passengers might be regarded as a breach of human rights. On the other hand, if the traveler has a vaccine passport, it can save them from being quarantined for 14 days before and after entering a territory.
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How has the coronavirus changed the requirements in a visa application?
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed a lot of requirements in the visa application in many parts of the world. Let us consider the impact of the pandemic in a few countries. In the Czech Republic for example, all travelers, including minors, must have a medical checkup and complete a form which is known as a Form for Hygienic Station to obtain a visa. Furthermore, they must submit their negative PCR test results among the other travel documents. In Denmark, a Covid-19 test is required for all passengers traveling by plane. In Estonia, travelers who are at risk of being contaminated are quarantined for 14 days before their trip to eliminate possible chains of transmission to other people.
To prevent further waves of the pandemic, Germany has implemented many changes in the visa application process. Passengers from the Balearic Islands in Spain can apply for a visa to Germany from mid-March 2021 with proof of immunization. What’s more, all passengers from other countries must present a negative covid-19 test result to apply for a transit visa or a business visa. The test has to be done No more than two days before arrival in its territory. To prevent further waves of the pandemic, Germany has implemented many changes in the visa application process. Passengers from the Balearic Islands in Spain can apply for a visa to Germany from mid-March 2021 with proof of immunization. A negative covid-19 test result is necessary to apply for a transit visa or a business visa. The test has to be done No more than two days before arrival in its territory.
In conclusion, new travel requirements have been adopted to prepare for future outbreaks and to safeguard public health. Constant reviews have been made in each country as regards concerning visa application. For updated news about it, Onward Ticket can help you. Also if you need to book a flight and get your onward ticket, you can use this website.
