Asia Visa and Travel News
Promised to tourists from 33 additional countries, the waiver of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) fees has not yet taken effect in Sri Lanka. According to local media, the measure has been delayed by legal hurdles and could be implemented “within one or two months”.
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Department of Consular Affairs have confirmed the launch of consultations on the 60-day visa exemption policy, which has been in effect since July 2024. No decision has been made yet, but a return to a shorter stay period for certain travelers is now officially under consideration.
As the tourist season approaches, the Sri Lankan government is stepping up its efforts to strengthen infrastructure and simplify entry procedures. Among the top priorities are the streamlining of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system and the improvement of passenger services at airports to ensure a smoother arrival experience.
As of October 15, 2025, travelers visiting Sri Lanka for short stays must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure.
The fire that broke out in late September at South Korea’s main government data center caused an unprecedented outage of hundreds of online public services. Among them was the e-Arrival Card, the electronic entry form for foreign travelers, which authorities have just announced is back online.
As part of its shift toward more modern immigration procedures, India is officially launching its digital arrival card for foreign travelers on October 1, 2025. Available online or through a mobile app, this new entry requirement will coexist with the traditional paper version during a six-month transitional period.
Starting October 15, 2025, foreign travelers will no longer be able to obtain their Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) upon arrival in Sri Lanka. The document, which is already required for most tourist stays, must be requested online before departure.
On September 29, 2025, the Philippines expanded its electronic visa (e-Visa) system to nationals of four additional countries: France, Austria, Greece, and the Netherlands. Although citizens of these countries are already eligible for 30-day visa-free stays, they can now apply online for a Temporary Visitor Visa allowing them to stay for up to 59 days.
India may soon eliminate the paper disembarkation form currently required for foreign travelers and replace it with a digital arrival card. According to Indian media reports, the new system could go into effect as early as October 1, 2025…
Travelers from several countries will continue to be able to visit South Korea without applying for a K-ETA electronic travel authorization. South Korean authorities confirmed today that this exemption has been extended through December 2026.
The Azerbaijani government, through a decree signed by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, has decided to maintain the special quarantine regime related to the COVID-19 pandemic until January 1, 2026. This measure effectively extends the closure of the country’s land borders, which have been in place since 2020.
Since July 2025, Cambodia has replaced entry stamps and QR code stickers with a digital document automatically issued upon arrival: the v-Pass. This new system follows in the footsteps of other digital tools such as the e-Visa and e-Arrival.
After several days of unrest in Kathmandu and the reopening of Tribhuvan International Airport on September 10, Nepalese authorities announced the implementation of a free visa regularization program for tourists whose visas expired after September 8, 2025.
As Nepal faces a period of unrest marked by protests, curfews, and the temporary closure of Kathmandu’s international airport, several foreign governments are advising travelers to exercise increased caution.
While the border situation remains relatively stable, temporary restrictions are still in effect for travelers holding an e-Visa who wish to enter Cambodia from Thailand.
