South Korea has officially confirmed a one-year extension of the temporary K-ETA exemption for travelers from visa-exempt countries. First announced last fall, the measure has now been formally validated by the official Electronic Travel Authorization application portal.
Chinese authorities have announced the extension, through December 31, 2026, of the fingerprint collection waiver for short-term visa applications. This measure, echoed by numerous Chinese embassies and visa centers abroad, is part of the ongoing easing of entry requirements introduced since the reopening of the country’s borders.
Against a regional backdrop marked by persistent tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in France has issued a travel advisory. The statement warns of certain difficulties encountered during air transit through Bangkok, while urging travelers to exercise caution and carefully plan their travel itineraries.
India has recently relaxed and expanded its e-Visa framework. Authorities have updated the validity window for the 30-day e-Tourist Visa and have introduced a new authorized point of entry, along with additional visa categories now available online.
Cameroonian authorities have published an information notice reporting cases of abnormal bank charges linked to the use of the Cameroon e-Visa platform. A claims mechanism has been put in place to allow for the handling of the situations concerned.
The Haitian government officially unveiled last week its new digital embarkation and disembarkation system, called “iKat.” Presented as a pilot project, the system aims to gradually replace the traditional physical card with a digital version, with the goal of modernizing and securing the country’s migration flows.
The U.S. administration has unveiled a new immigration program that offers a fast-tracked path to permanent residency in the United States in exchange for a $1 million contribution. Presented as a preferred route for attracting investors, the “Gold Card” marks a new chapter in Donald Trump’s immigration policy.
Belarus has decided to extend its visa-free regime for citizens of 38 European countries by one year, keeping it in effect through December 31, 2026.
In an official notice, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is proposing a sweeping overhaul of the ESTA application process, including mandatory new personal data, exclusive use of a mobile app, and expanded biometric checks. These measures, now open for public comment, could significantly reshape the procedure for travelers eligible for visa-free entry.
While some media outlets have been claiming for several days that an increase in Egypt’s visa fees is already in effect, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has issued a statement confirming that no such increase is currently in place and that visa fees remain unchanged.
As 2026 approaches, uncertainty looms for travelers planning a trip to Mongolia. The visa-exemption policy granted to 34 nationalities since 2023 is officially set to end on December 31, 2025, leaving future visitors unsure about what entry requirements they may face.
Despite the publication of a presidential law mentioning a tax of up to USD 20, no change to Egypt’s visa fee has yet been implemented. Whether upon arrival in the country, at a diplomatic mission, or online through the electronic visa (e-Visa) system, travelers are still required to pay USD 25 to obtain their visa.
India is fine-tuning its strategy to attract more foreign visitors. On the sidelines of a tourism summit, India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, announced that the government is working on a reciprocity-based visa-on-arrival system, while also pledging to further streamline the electronic visa (e-Visa) process, which is now widely used by international travelers.
Vietnam is expanding access to its territory by adding 41 new entry points compatible with the electronic visa (e-Visa), giving visitors more options for arriving in the country.
Mauritius is preparing to overhaul its entry procedures with the announcement of a forthcoming electronic travel authorization, aimed at modernizing and streamlining border formalities for all travelers.
