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”.
The Government of Jersey states that the British Crown Dependencies plan to introduce the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for direct travel to the islands “from April 2026.”
While the ETA platform remains affected by a technical issue, Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration has issued further clarification. Although most tourist and business travelers may still travel to the country despite not receiving formal approval, no exemption from the required pre-departure application process has been granted.
While numerous reports in recent weeks have suggested an imminent reduction in the length of visa-free stays in Thailand, authorities have confirmed that the policy is indeed under review, but no final decision has yet been made.
As the UK government’s public consultation on the introduction of a tourist tax in England concludes this Wednesday, February 18, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a study estimating that a £10 daily levy could result in at least £14 billion in potential economic losses.
Sri Lankan authorities are currently dealing with a technical issue affecting the transmission of Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA). Despite these delays, travelers who have already submitted their applications are permitted to travel to the country and will be assisted upon arrival in Sri Lanka.
Since February 16, 2026, the fee for Madagascar’s short-stay (15-day) electronic visa has increased. The official portal, evisamada-mg.com, now lists a new fee of €30, or US$35, for this category of visa issued online.
Nicaragua is undertaking a sweeping overhaul of its entry requirements. The elimination of visas on arrival for dozens of countries, along with the end of several visa exemptions, marks a significant turning point, against a backdrop of U.S. diplomatic pressure tied to migration flows toward the United States.
Starting February 17, 2026, holders of ordinary passports from Canada and the United Kingdom will be able to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa. This decision, now officially confirmed by the Chinese government, will remain in effect through December 31, 2026.
From January 1 to July 1, 2026, Armenia is implementing a temporary visa exemption for certain foreign nationals holding a residence permit issued by several major economic and regional jurisdictions.
