Asia Visa and Travel News
Launched in July 2025, the “QazETA” mobile application is now at the heart of Kazakhstan’s strategy to digitize migration services and improve the reception of foreign visitors. The app brings together, within a single digital gateway, electronic visa (e-Visa) procedures, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-exempt travelers, and electronic residency (e-Residency) services.
While on an official visit to Beijing, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canadian citizens will soon be able to enter China without a visa.
Jordan has announced a major relaxation of its entry rules. Foreign visitors who are not traveling on a work visa will now automatically receive a three-month residence permit, up from the previous one-month limit, whether they enter the country with an electronic visa (e-Visa) or a visa obtained on arrival.
Launched in the summer of 2024 to facilitate travel to Pakistan, the “Visa Prior to Arrival” (VPA) program, which allowed citizens of 126 countries to quickly obtain a free visa, has been unavailable since January 1, 2026. In the absence of any official announcement regarding this suspension, affected travelers must now apply for a “standard” paid e-Visa, which involves higher fees and more extensive administrative requirements.
As part of its policy to facilitate international travel, India continues to adapt its electronic visa system. In recent days, a new airport, a land border crossing, and several seaports have been opened to travelers holding an e-Visa, further strengthening the country’s connectivity and streamlining arrivals.
Kyrgyzstan has revised its visa-free entry and stay rules for nationals of several countries. A government decision that came into force on December 31, 2025 now limits the length of stay permitted without formalities, with the stated aim of streamlining and increasing the transparency of the country’s migration policy.
Good news for international travelers: Mongolia has officially announced the extension of its visa-free entry policy for citizens of 34 countries through January 1, 2027. Originally introduced as a temporary measure in 2023 and set to expire on December 31, 2025, the program has now been renewed, reaffirming the Mongolian government’s commitment to maintaining an open and tourism-friendly policy.
Visa fees for travel to China will continue to benefit from a reduced rate until December 31, 2026, in accordance with a decision recently confirmed by the Chinese authorities.
India has just revised the fees for several types of electronic visas. While most e-Visa categories remain unchanged, the update introduces targeted increases for certain validity periods and nationalities.
South Korea has officially confirmed a one-year extension of the temporary K-ETA exemption for travelers from visa-exempt countries. First announced last fall, the measure has now been formally validated by the official Electronic Travel Authorization application portal.
Chinese authorities have announced the extension, through December 31, 2026, of the fingerprint collection waiver for short-term visa applications. This measure, echoed by numerous Chinese embassies and visa centers abroad, is part of the ongoing easing of entry requirements introduced since the reopening of the country’s borders.
Against a regional backdrop marked by persistent tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in France has issued a travel advisory. The statement warns of certain difficulties encountered during air transit through Bangkok, while urging travelers to exercise caution and carefully plan their travel itineraries.
India has recently relaxed and expanded its e-Visa framework. Authorities have updated the validity window for the 30-day e-Tourist Visa and have introduced a new authorized point of entry, along with additional visa categories now available online.
As 2026 approaches, uncertainty looms for travelers planning a trip to Mongolia. The visa-exemption policy granted to 34 nationalities since 2023 is officially set to end on December 31, 2025, leaving future visitors unsure about what entry requirements they may face.
India is fine-tuning its strategy to attract more foreign visitors. On the sidelines of a tourism summit, India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, announced that the government is working on a reciprocity-based visa-on-arrival system, while also pledging to further streamline the electronic visa (e-Visa) process, which is now widely used by international travelers.
