US: Visa Waiver Program for Qatari citizens begins today
Qatar officially joins the US Visa Waiver Program this November 22, 2024. Qataris can now apply for ESTA authorization to travel to the USA.
China: visa-free policy extended to 30 days
From November 30, 2024, visa-free stays in China will increase from 15 to 30 days, and nine new countries will be added to the list of nations benefiting from the unilateral visa-free policy. Good news for travelers from the many countries benefiting from China’s unilateral visa-free policy: from November 30,
Russia to collect biometric data of foreign visitors
From December 1, Russia will collect biometric data of its international visitors at Moscow airports. Starting from 1 December 2024, Russia will begin an experimental phase of biometric data collection from foreign nationals and stateless persons entering its territory. This initiative, scheduled to run until June 30, 2026, will initially
Algeria: developing Saharan tourism, particularly through the electronic visa
Algeria is banking on the development of Saharan tourism to diversify its economy and boost its international appeal. The introduction of electronic visa should help the country achieve these objectives. During the inauguration of the sixth edition of the International Saharan Tourism Festival (FITS), which opened its doors this Thursday
Senegal: Prime Minister calls for visa reciprocity
At a rally in the run-up to the parliamentary elections, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced yesterday that he wanted to “apply reciprocity” to countries that impose visas on Senegalese citizens, citing France and the United States in particular. In the run-up to the parliamentary elections scheduled for November 17,
UK: French school groups temporarily exempt from ETA
Children from French schools will be temporarily exempt from the ETA and will be able to continue using their national identity card for school trips to the UK. From April 2, 2025, European travelers exempt from visa requirements will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.
Vietnam launches new electronic visa portal
Starting November 11, 2024, international travelers to Vietnam will be able to apply for their electronic visa (e-Visa) through a new portal.
Tanzania: visa-on-arrival finally suspended in 2025?
As of January 30, 2025, Tanzania could suspend its visa-on-arrival system in favor of e-Visa. Earlier this week, there was some doubt as to whether or not travelers entering Tanzania after November 30, 2024 would continue to be issued with a visa on arrival. The confusion arose from the diffusion
US: travelers stranded at airports due to ESTA system failure
Election day in the US, but defection for travelers heading to Uncle Sam’s country after a breakdown in the ESTA system.
Tanzania: confusion over visa on arrival…
After several days of doubt as to whether the issuance of visas on arrival in Tanzania would be suspended, the authorities confirm that this possibility is maintained, but encourage visitors to apply for an e-Visa. For several days now, many travelers have been contacting VisasNews to find out whether Tanzania
Seychelles: electronic travel authorisation extended to sea arrivals
Previously exempt from the electronic travel authorisation requirement, travelers arriving in Seychelles by boat or cruise ship must now apply for an ETA before entering the archipelago. As expected, Seychelles is changing its entry formalities for passengers entering the country by sea. Until recently, only passengers arriving in Seychelles by
China expands visa-free policy to nine more countries
From November 8, citizens of nine new countries will benefit from visa-free entry to China. China‘s unilateral 15-day visa-free policy, previously available to citizens of 18 countries, is about to be extended to nine new countries. Asked last Friday about this exceptional regime in place for certain countries since December
Burundi exempts COMESA citizens from visa requirements
Burundi no longer requires short-stay visas from nationals of COMESA member countries. This October 31st, Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, is hosting the 23rd Summit of Heads of State and Government of COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa). During his inauguration as President of the COMESA Conference, Burundian
United States: more than 11 million visas issued in 2024
In the last fiscal year, the United States issued over 11 million visas, including 8.5 million visitor visas.
China expands its recent electronic visa
Launched last July in a pilot phase, the electronic visa (e-Visa) for entry into China is undergoing its first expansion.
