Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 118; Flight Crew Type 524
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
I was the Captain on Aircraft X (ZZZ-ZZZZ) on date.  I just wanted to give some details regarding ZZZZ's refusal to allow us to enter the country without a negative COVID test; and to give a well-deserved kudos to those who helped us.Upon arrival in ZZZZ; we were walking towards the customs area when we were approached by a man from the 'health department.' He asked us for our COVID-19 test results; which (according to our information) were not required for crews in ZZZZ. When we told him that we didn't have a test result; he said we could not proceed further; as a negative COVID test was a requirement for entry into Country.Two airline employees arrived to assist us - the Station Manager X and another employee Person Y.  Both were outstanding and went above and beyond to try to help us.  They spent considerable time attempting to explain to the health department official that crews were exempt from the COVID requirement.  This did not matter to the official; who insisted that 'All passengers must have a negative COVID test prior to entry.'   Manager X explained that we were crew; not passengers; and therefore were subject to the crew exemption.  He stated that he understood that there was an exemption; but he refused to change his position and stated that we couldn't proceed.Several calls were made by Manager X; attempting to get someone to explain to the health department official that we were exempt.  Someone then called the official on his cell phone; resulting in a somewhat spirited conversation.  After the call; the official decided that if we'd had a COVID test in the last 14 days we would be allowed to enter.  When we said we hadn't; he said if we'd had the vaccine; he would let us in; but of course we hadn't had that either.  Manager X pulled us aside and said that this official was simply trying to make a name for himself; and she again apologized; even though it was clearly not her fault.  It occurred to us later that perhaps he was fishing for a bribe; but while that's very common in small GA airplanes; I've never had that happen as part of an airline crew. Unfortunately; I was not able to get the name of the health official.By this point; we had the Flight Operations Manager involved; and he was working on getting us seats on the plane back to ZZZ as it was clear we weren't going to be allowed into ZZZZ.  Manager X and Person Y were both doing an outstanding job of keeping us informed since neither the F/O nor I spoke [the foreign language].We proceeded back to the gate while Flight Operations Manager got our seats worked out and worked with dispatch to make sure the outbound crew didn't leave without us.  As we were leaving; the health department official made one last offer - we could proceed; but he would 'Send a doctor to your hotel room to give you a COVID 19 quick test.'  A quick discussion with my FO; confirmed my thoughts that this was a bad idea.  Needless to say; we declined his offer.  When we arrived at the airplane; FO was physically standing at the bottom of the stairs to make sure that they wouldn't close the door before we arrived.While it was a frustrating endeavor; we couldn't have navigated this successfully without Flight Operations Manager; Station Manager X; Person Y; Dispatch and the outbound crew of Aircraft Y.  The crew desk was on the ball as well as I received a couple of pairing change alerts as we walked to the gate.  My FO; did an outstanding job; especially considering it was his first trip after OE.
Air carrier Captain reported they were not allowed into a foreign country due to not having proof of negative COVID-19 test results; nor proof of having been vaccinated.