Asia Visa and Travel News
While numerous reports in recent weeks have suggested an imminent reduction in the length of visa-free stays in Thailand, authorities have confirmed that the policy is indeed under review, but no final decision has yet been made.
Sri Lankan authorities are currently dealing with a technical issue affecting the transmission of Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA). Despite these delays, travelers who have already submitted their applications are permitted to travel to the country and will be assisted upon arrival in Sri Lanka.
Starting February 17, 2026, holders of ordinary passports from Canada and the United Kingdom will be able to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa. This decision, now officially confirmed by the Chinese government, will remain in effect through December 31, 2026.
From January 1 to July 1, 2026, Armenia is implementing a temporary visa exemption for certain foreign nationals holding a residence permit issued by several major economic and regional jurisdictions.
At its meeting on February 10, 2026, the Cabinet approved a progress report on Thailand’s visa reform initiative launched in 2024 to support tourism and stimulate the national economy. While most of the measures are already in effect, authorities confirmed their consolidation and signaled several potential adjustments, including a possible revision of the 60-day visa exemption in response to documented cases of abuse.
Since January 30, 2026, Singapore has implemented a new border security measure under which certain categories of travelers may now be denied boarding before their flight departs.
During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to China, Beijing indicated that it is considering granting visa-free entry for British citizens traveling for short stays.
Meeting this week in Cebu, Philippines, on the occasion of the ASEAN Tourism Forum, Southeast Asian tourism ministers are set to discuss the possible introduction of a region-wide common tourist visa. The initiative, frequently raised for more than a decade, is being brought back to the forefront of regional discussions by the Philippines.
According to the National Immigration Administration, more than 30 million foreign nationals entered China without a visa in 2025, amid a strong recovery in cross-border travel and the modernization of entry procedures, notably marked by the gradual rollout of a digital arrival card.
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.
