The UK Parliament has approved a regulatory measure allowing the legal cap on the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee to be increased, paving the way for a future rise in the price currently set at £16. At the same time, the government has announced the removal of Nicaragua and Saint Lucia from the ETA program and the upcoming introduction of a visa requirement for nationals of both countries.
Because of the air travel disruptions caused by the current crisis in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates has announced exceptional measures for travelers who were unable to leave the country as scheduled. Authorities have decided to waive overstay penalties for those affected by these circumstances, while also providing administrative assistance for situations impacted by flight cancellations or rescheduling.
The Tanzania Immigration Services Department has announced a temporary disruption to its computer system due to a technical issue. However, authorities confirm that the Visa on Arrival system remains available to eligible travelers.
As the current crisis in the Middle East disrupts many air routes and leads some travelers to cancel or postpone their plans, one question frequently arises: what happens to entry formalities that have already been requested, such as visas, electronic travel authorizations (ETAs), or online arrival cards? Unlike airline tickets or certain travel services, these administrative procedures generally cannot be canceled or refunded. Here’s why.
Facing air travel disruptions caused by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, Kuwait has announced several exceptional measures for travelers and residents. Authorities have decided to automatically extend visit visas by one month and grant additional time to residents currently stranded abroad.
In response to air travel disruptions caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East, Thailand is introducing exceptional measures for foreign travelers unable to leave the country. Thai immigration authorities have notably announced the waiver of overstay fines in certain cases, while tourism officials are considering financial assistance for visitors stranded in the country.
In response to the sudden closure of its airspace and the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Qatar has announced the automatic and free extension of all entry visas that are set to expire.
No more paper forms to fill out on the plane or at the airport. As of March 2, 2026, Grenada has officially launched its electronic Embarkation/Disembarkation (E/D) Card. It’s a small administrative revolution for the Spice Isle, aimed at streamlining the arrival process for travelers while strengthening security and data protection.
As of March 1, 2026, travelers obtaining a single-entry visa-on-arrival in Egypt must now pay $30, up from $25 previously. The increase has now been confirmed on the ground, following several weeks of uncertainty.
After several weeks of technical disruptions on the official Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) portal, approval notifications are once again being sent to applicants. A return to normal operations has been observed on the ground, even though Sri Lankan authorities have not, at this stage, issued any official statement confirming that the system has been fully restored.
As escalating tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt international air travel, several tourist destinations have decided to ease their visa requirements and strengthen assistance for travelers. From Sri Lanka to Indonesia, as well as the Maldives and India, authorities are rolling out multiple measures to safeguard visitors’ stays and prevent tourists from falling into irregular immigration status.
As of February 25, 2026, the ETA is now definitively required for visa-exempt travelers planning a short stay in the United Kingdom. After several months of leniency, London has officially ended the transition period: without a valid ETA, boarding will be denied.
Upon the release of the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) interim report, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, delivered a stark assessment of two decades of irregularities in visa issuance. At the center of his response is the accelerated nationwide rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which is set to become the sole gateway for all visa applications.
An internal document circulated by the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (E.T.A.A.) refers to a forthcoming increase in the visa-on-arrival fee in Egypt. At this stage, however, the announcement still needs to be officially confirmed by the Egyptian authorities.
In her general policy speech delivered on February 20, 2026, at the opening of the 221st session of the National Diet, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that her government will soon introduce a bill to establish the electronic travel authorization system “JESTA”.
