The Australian government has confirmed that Working Holiday visa applications are still being processed, but at a slower pace than before. Eligible travelers can still apply for a Working Holiday visa, while first Work and Holiday visa applications are currently paused for nationals of 24 countries.
Starting August 15, 2026, Albanian citizens will be able to travel to Morocco for short stays without obtaining a visa. The move fulfills a commitment made by the two countries in March 2025.
Since August 1, 2026, European Union travelers have been subject to new conditions when applying for a visa to Guinea. In addition to raising the entry visa fee to $100, Conakry has set the processing time at 45 days and suspended the issuance of multiple-entry visas, among other measures, under the principle of reciprocity with the EU.
Barely days after being made permanent for nationals of 50 countries, the US visa bond program could potentially be expanded to additional nationalities.
President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on August 12, 2026. Following a pilot phase limited to four nationalities, the system is now set to gradually expand to additional countries. The government also revealed that more than 216,000 applications have already been processed.
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).
Travelers arriving in Malawi are now required to complete a Traveller Health Check, a digital health declaration that generates a QR code to be presented at the border. The form can be completed before travel, although authorities also provide screening options for passengers who arrive without having completed it in advance.
Malawi’s Immigration Department has republished its list of nationalities that can travel without prior authorization and obtain a visa on arrival. The updated document lists 160 countries and territories, while nationals of 47 countries must still obtain a visa or prior authorization before departure.
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.
Papua New Guinea is stepping up enforcement of its digital arrival card requirement. Airlines and check-in staff must now ensure that travelers have completed the PNGDAC before issuing their boarding pass.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has clarified how the country’s new mandatory travel insurance requirement will work for foreign visitors. Travelers will be able to use insurance purchased in their home country if it meets Kenya’s required coverage levels, but proof of coverage will have to be submitted as part of the ETA application.
