Asia Visa and Travel News
A new regulation governing the deportation of foreign nationals takes effect in Thailand on August 28, 2026. The measure notably targets individuals who violate Thai law or whose behavior is deemed to threaten public order.
China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore will allow APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders to stay for up to 90 days.
Starting September 1, 2026, international travelers departing India will be able to present an electronic boarding pass at immigration. Paper boarding passes will remain accepted, but immigration officers will no longer stamp them.
Several Sri Lankan diplomatic missions are currently reminding travelers that they must hold a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before beginning their journey.
Azerbaijan plans to expand visa-free access to more countries over the coming years. Its new tourism development program aims to bring 34 target markets under a visa-free regime. Baku also intends to develop a multiple-entry e-Visa, expand access to electronic visas and visas on arrival, and eventually introduce a visa for digital nomads.
China allows nationals of 57 countries to stay visa-free for up to 10 days while transiting to a third destination. Eligible nationalities, requirements, 65 authorized ports of entry, permitted travel areas and how the stay is calculated: VisasNews explains how China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy works.
Foreign travelers arriving in or departing from Bangladesh by air can now complete their arrival and departure cards online. Known as the E-Arrival Card and E-Departure Card, these new digital formalities allow passengers to submit in advance information that was previously provided during immigration procedures.
Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority is preparing an update to the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC). A redesigned interface, available in 19 languages and intended to further streamline arrival formalities, will be available for early access on the ICA website starting August 26, 2026.
Thailand is moving ahead with its proposed tourist fee for foreign visitors, with authorities now considering a flat rate of 450 baht per person. The scheme, which could potentially use the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) as part of the collection process, must still go through public consultation and several approval stages before it can take effect.
Following the announcement of new entry points in India for e-Visa holders, the official portal now lists 85 locations where travelers can enter the country with an electronic visa. The list includes 36 airports, 38 seaports and 11 land border crossings.
Indonesia is considering raising its Visa on Arrival (VOA) fees. The electronic visa obtained before travel would cost 750,000 rupiah (about $42), while travelers applying upon arrival would pay 1 million rupiah (about $56).
Starting October 16, 2026, security personnel at Thai airports will be allowed to open and inspect certain checked bags without the passenger being present. The procedure will only be used when screening detects a suspicious item, and each inspection must be video recorded.
Announced in spring 2026 and further clarified in July, Thailand’s overhaul of its visa exemption rules has still not taken effect. Nationals of 93 countries and territories can currently continue to stay visa-free for up to 60 days, while the country is also moving ahead with the digital modernization of its entry procedures through the TDAC and the upcoming THIM app.
India has announced the addition of 11 entry points for travelers holding an electronic visa (e-Visa), including two airports and nine land border crossings.
As of August 10, 2026, eligible residents of the United States and 19 Caribbean countries and territories can apply online for a Philippine e-Visa. The latest expansion follows several rollouts of the system across the Asia-Pacific region and Europe in recent months.
