Vietnam will strengthen its health screening procedures at border checkpoints starting July 1, 2026. Travelers entering, leaving or transiting through the country may be required to complete a health declaration, either electronically or on paper.
Canada is easing entry requirements for some citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia. Starting May 26, 2026, eligible travelers will no longer need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa when flying to or transiting through Canada.
Ghana has officially launched its national electronic visa portal, a reform designed to replace manual procedures with a faster, more secure and more transparent online application system.
The Republic of Congo plans to lift visa requirements for African travelers starting January 1, 2027.
Sri Lanka has set May 25, 2026, as the start date for its new free tourist visa scheme for citizens of 40 countries. Eligible travelers will still be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arrival.
The future common tourist visa for SADC is emerging as one of the region’s major initiatives to make travel across Southern Africa easier and boost tourism arrivals.
Following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a public health emergency of international concern, several countries have stepped up health screening measures for travelers arriving from Ebola-affected areas.
The United Kingdom issued 25.1 million Electronic Travel Authorizations, or ETAs, in the year ending March 2026, according to new statistics released by the UK Home Office.
An Air France flight from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Montreal after a passenger who had recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was allowed to board as new U.S. health restrictions linked to Ebola were being implemented.
As Cambodia prepares to temporarily waive visa requirements for Chinese travelers, tourism officials are already raising the possibility of extending the measure to other markets, including Europe.
Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security e-services portal, which is used in particular for online visa applications, remains disrupted after a maintenance operation announced by the authorities.
China is extending until December 31, 2027, its visa-free entry policy for Russian nationals holding ordinary passports.
As several U.S. proposals concerning ESTA have raised concerns among international travelers, CBP is now pointing to a more targeted approach to social media screening. At the same time, Brand USA is launching an initiative designed to correct misconceptions about U.S. entry requirements.
Thailand is preparing to overhaul its visa exemption and visa-on-arrival programs. Following the announced end of the 60-day visa-free scheme for 93 countries and territories, the future policy would introduce several permitted lengths of stay, distinguishing between general exemptions, bilateral agreements and visas on arrival.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the end of the 60-day visa exemption introduced in 2024 for travelers from 93 countries and territories. The measure still needs to be formally implemented by the relevant authorities, but it is expected to bring back the previous entry rules, generally around 30 days of visa-free stay for many nationalities.
