The border and visa changes that matter, tracked in one place.
Visa policies, Arrival Card requirements, and travel-document rules keep changing, often with little notice. iVisa tracks the shifts that matter: new eVisas and Arrival Cards, fee hikes, delayed rollouts, and systems that failed on launch day. We chart what we have verified below and refresh it at the end of every week.
- Period covered
- Oct 2025 – Oct 2026
- Changes tracked
- 90
- Countries with changes
- 58
By the numbers
Three groups: who is affected, what it costs, and how large the shift is.
Twelve months of change
Every dot is a policy shift, plotted where it happened. Filter by type, then click a dot or a card below to see what happened and where it's sourced from.
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization): a quick pre-flight approval. Not a full visa, but you still need one before you can board.
- ESTA the US's version of an ETA.
- Schengen Area the 29 European countries that share one common border, so one check (or one new rule, like ETIAS or EES) affects all of them at once.
- Arrival Card a separate short form about who you are and where you're staying, filled out even when no visa is needed.
Browse every change
90 changesEvery tracked change, newest first. Filter by type or country to narrow it down.
- 1.Africa14 changes
- 2.Europe12 changes
- 3.Southeast Asia11 changes
- 4.North America10 changes
- 5.Middle East9 changes
Turkmenistan launches an e-Visa system and online registration for foreigners
Turkmenistan's State Migration Service announced on September 30, 2026 that its e-Visa system went live on October 1, alongside an online registration portal for foreigners at rgstr.migration.gov.tm. Under the 2025 migration law amendments, an invitation is no longer needed to get an electronic visa. As of October 2, reports say eligible nationalities, fees, processing times and the full document list had not been published in detail. Check the official portal before planning travel.
Azerbaijan's parliament approves visa-free travel with Jordan
Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis approved the mutual visa exemption agreement with Jordan on September 30, 2026, adopting the bill in one reading. The agreement was signed in Baku on July 8, 2026 and covers ordinary-passport holders for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It enters into force 30 days after both sides complete ratification, and reports do not yet cover Jordan's approval, so it is not in effect.
Ghana expands its e-Visa to 48 ports of entry
Ghana's e-Visa application portal now lists 48 ports of entry, up from seven airports, as seen on September 25, 2026; the breakdown comes from travel press reports of the portal rather than a separate official announcement. The expansion adds 37 land border crossings, including Aflao and Elubo, plus four maritime entry points such as Tema Port, alongside the original seven airports. It applies to both the tourist/business e-Visa and the Electronic Travel Authorization available to African passport holders.
Thailand officially launches its THIM immigration app
Thailand's Immigration Bureau officially launched THIM (Thai Immigration Application) on September 25, 2026. The app has been downloadable since August 1. It is an alternative channel to the Bureau's website rather than a new requirement, and currently centers on Thailand Digital Arrival Card submissions and an "Explore Thailand" feature, with queue booking, certificates of stay, stay extensions, 90-day reporting and visa on arrival planned. The Thaiger reports more than 600,000 downloads.
Egypt to raise its visa fee to $33 from January 2027
Egypt is set to raise its single-entry visa fee by $3, from $30 to $33, on January 1, 2027, according to a circular the Egyptian Travel Agents Association sent to members in late September 2026. Sources differ on the legal basis (a Cabinet decision of August 13 or a Prime Ministerial decree published August 30), and the new fee had not yet appeared on the official portal. The digital visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport will cost $39 with service and processing charges. The standard advance e-Visa remains $30 for single entry and $65 for multiple entry.
Peru waives its tourist visa for Moroccans holding a Schengen or US visa
Peru's Supreme Decree 033-2026-RE, published on July 25, 2026, exempts Moroccan ordinary-passport holders from the tourist visa if they hold a valid Schengen or US visa. It took effect 60 days later, on September 23. Stays can total up to 183 days within a year, and both the passport and the visa must have at least six months of validity on entry. Moroccans without one of those visas still need a Peruvian visa. Peru cited Morocco's 2017 waiver for Peruvian travelers as the reciprocity basis.
India lets travelers transfer an e-Visa or ETA to a new passport
India's immigration portal added a "Transfer of eVisa/ETA on New Passport" service, letting travelers move a valid one-year or five-year authorization to a replacement passport issued after loss, theft, or non-return of the original. Shorter-validity e-Visas aren't eligible, and as of September 23, 2026 the portal hadn't published a fee or processing time. Travelers who still hold their original passport don't need it: they can carry both documents through immigration instead.
Thailand opens Suvarnabhumi arrival eGates to 33 nationalities
Travelers from 33 nationalities and territories can now use the automated arrival gates at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, first reported by travelers on September 19-20, 2026. The Thai government announced the plan in August, adding 31 nationalities to Singapore and Hong Kong, which already had access. As reported, travelers need an earlier entry to Thailand on the same passport, a completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card, and entry under the visa exemption. Visa holders and first-time visitors still use staffed counters, and US citizens are not on the list. Officials say the gates could cover about 53% of arrivals once fully rolled out.
Australia overhauls Working Holiday and Visitor visa rules
Australia's government announced a package of visa reforms on September 17, 2026, replacing automatic access to a second and third Working Holiday visa with a ballot: 45,000 places for the second year and 5,000 for the third, on top of the existing 88-day and six-month regional work requirements. UK passport holders keep their free trade agreement exemption from the regional work requirement, and how the ballot applies to them has not been clarified. The package also expands the "No Further Stay" condition to more Visitor visas. Some measures still need legislation, and ballots are due to start by the end of 2026.
Eswatini acknowledges e-Visa problems, pledges fixes
Eswatini's Prime Minister publicly acknowledged reliability problems with the country's e-Visa platform on September 17, 2026, including failed payments, processing delays and no manual backup. The government pledged urgent fixes but gave no timeline or technical details.
Thailand ends visa-free entry for 21 nationalities, requiring an e-Visa
Thailand published Royal Gazette regulations on August 31, 2026 ending the 60-day visa exemption. From September 15, citizens of 21 countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan, must apply for a Thai e-Visa before arriving. About 60 other countries and territories keep visa-free entry, now limited to 30 days for tourism.
US restricts visas over South Africa's land seizures and race-based policies
The State Department announced a visa restriction policy on September 15, 2026 targeting people responsible for, or complicit in, uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, or incitement of violence against minority groups in South Africa. It isn't a blanket ban: ordinary tourists and business travelers are not targeted, existing visa requirements stay the same, and no individuals have been named publicly. South Africa's government rejected the underlying claims as a mischaracterization of its domestic policy.
China raises visa fees roughly sevenfold for Japanese nationals
China raised its visa fees for Japanese nationals about sevenfold for applications submitted from September 14, 2026, with a single-entry visa rising from ¥2,250 to ¥16,750 and a double-entry visa from ¥3,750 to ¥25,100. Beijing framed the move as reciprocal after Japan raised its own visa fees in July. The immediate effect is limited since China currently lets Japanese nationals enter visa-free for stays up to 30 days, a waiver due to expire December 31.
EU prepares a Schengen visa overhaul, floats new fees
The European Commission published a call for evidence on September 8, 2026 outlining plans to overhaul Schengen short-stay visa rules, including an additional fee on top of the current €90 standard, faster processing for trusted business travelers, and a new mechanism letting the EU restrict visa issuance to specific countries. No fee amount has been set, and a legislative proposal isn't expected until early 2027. Submissions to the call for evidence close on October 6.
Indonesia grants emergency stay permits after the Anak Krakatau eruption strands travelers
After the Anak Krakatau eruption canceled about 520 flights and stranded about 86,760 passengers between September 5 and 7, Indonesia's immigration authority began issuing free emergency stay permits valid for up to 30 days and extendable, and waived overstay fees for foreign nationals caught in the disruption. Tempo reports the policy also applies to other force majeure situations.
Tanzania makes travel insurance mandatory for foreign visitors
Tanzania published regulations on September 4, 2026 (Government Notice No. 256) requiring foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania by air, sea or land to hold Inbound Travel Insurance, a $44 policy valid for up to 92 days, bought in advance or on arrival. The requirement took effect on October 1, 2026, and travelers without it can be denied entry. Citizens of East African Community and Southern African Development Community member states are exempt. Zanzibar has a separate arrangement.
Malaysia restricts its Multiple Entry Visa to select purposes and nationalities
From September 1, 2026, Malaysia's Immigration Department limited its Multiple Entry Visa to nationals of 31 designated countries traveling on fly-and-cruise itineraries, business trips, medical treatment, or wedding tourism. Applicants outside those purposes, including ordinary tourists and social visitors who could previously obtain a one-year MEV, must now apply for single-entry visas instead.
Kuwait ends automatic visa and leave-permit extensions
Kuwait's Ministry of Interior ended automatic extensions for visit visas and expatriate leave permits from September 1, 2026, reverting to the standard validity periods that applied before a run of exceptional extensions earlier in the year. Residents who left Kuwait on or before August 31 keep the benefit of the extra extension already granted. The residency status certificate in the Sahel app is the official reference for a leave permit's expiry date.
Taiwan lifts its Ebola entry ban on Uganda, extends the one on DR Congo
Taiwan lifted its 90-day entry suspension on Ugandan residents on August 28, 2026, after Uganda reported no new Ebola cases, and visa applications and entry for Ugandan nationals resumed. Taiwan extended its entry suspension on residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for another 90 days, through November 28, 2026. Exceptions cover only degree students, diplomatic and official personnel, spouses and minor children of Taiwanese nationals, and emergency or humanitarian travel.
US moves to revoke visas held by past asylum seekers
The State Department announced plans to revoke tourist and business visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to travelers who later applied for asylum, calling the original visa a misrepresentation of intent to return home. Officials estimate the revocations could affect 200,000 people or more, carried out on a rolling basis with no set end date. A revoked visa alone does not force someone to leave, since any pending asylum claim still has to be decided first.
Kazakhstan pilots QazETA, a coming mandatory travel authorization for visa-free visitors
Kazakhstan opened a voluntary pilot of QazETA, an electronic travel authorization that will become mandatory for nationals of visa-free countries, including Russians. Reports describe a phased start by transport mode: air travelers from November 1, 2026, non-EAEU land crossings from November 15, EAEU land crossings from November 30, and rail and sea travelers from December 15. Reported fees are 3,900 tenge (about $8) online and 7,600 tenge (about $16) at the border, though the government has not confirmed the amount.
Azerbaijan eases visa on arrival for F1 and FIFA U-15 World Cup visitors
Azerbaijan's president signed an order on August 25, 2026 temporarily simplifying visa procedures for the Baku Formula 1 Grand Prix, letting travelers get a visa on arrival at international airports with an F1 ticket or accreditation card through September 30. A second order signed on September 21 allows visas at airports from September 22 to November 5, 2026 for visitors to the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival who hold an invitation letter from the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan or FIFA accreditation. The Formula 1 window closed on September 30.
Northern Cyprus introduces an eVisa for three nationalities
Authorities in the Turkish Cypriot administered north replaced the consular visa process with a $40 eVisa for citizens of Armenia, Nigeria, and Syria, the only nationalities required to hold a visa to enter. Officials say the new system adds security screening before travelers arrive. Every other nationality can still enter without a visa.
APEC Business Travel Card stays extended to 90 days in five economies
China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore agreed at an APEC Business Mobility Group meeting to extend the maximum per-visit stay for APEC Business Travel Card holders from 60 to 90 days. Each economy sets its own implementation date, so cardholders should confirm current rules with their destination before relying on the longer stay.
Colombia and Israel restore visa-free travel
Colombia and Israel agreed to drop visa requirements for each other's citizens, effective September 1, 2026. The deal restores a waiver that both countries ended in 2025 after diplomatic ties broke down.
Bangladesh adds an online option for its Arrival Card
Bangladesh's Special Branch confirmed on August 19 that foreign travelers can now fill out the Embarkation/Disembarkation card online before flying. The portal also takes advance information from visa-on-arrival applicants. No date for ending the paper card has been announced.
UAE narrows visa-on-arrival eligibility for Filipino travelers
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said the UAE updated its visa-on-arrival criteria for Filipino passport holders. Eligibility now requires a valid visa or residence permit from the US, an EU country, or the UK, or a valid residence permit (not a visa) from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore, or New Zealand, each valid for at least six months. Other travelers must apply for a UAE visa in advance.
Nepal completes its full e-Visa and ETA rollout
Nepal's Department of Immigration completed the full rollout of its online e-Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization system on August 17, 2026, letting travelers apply online or through a Nepalese diplomatic mission. Tourist multi-entry fees run $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, and $125 for 90 days.
SADC leaders approve the agreement for a regional tourist UniVisa
At the 46th SADC Summit in Durban on August 17, 2026, heads of state approved the Agreement Establishing the SADC Tourism UniVisa and called on member states to sign it. Regional trade press reports a pilot among Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. No launch date, fee, validity period or number of entries has been published, so travelers cannot use it yet.
South Africa adopts a R500 processing fee for its ETA
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs published final fee regulations on August 17, 2026, setting a R500 (about $30) electronic processing fee for ETA applications. Applicants who owe the R425 visitor's visa fee pay R925 in total, while those exempt from the visa fee pay R500 only. Visa-exempt travelers who choose to use the ETA also pay R500. The fee had been waived since the pilot began in October 2025. The ETA started with China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, and on September 29 the tourism minister said it was live in more than 30 countries.
Abu Dhabi pilots a visa-fee waiver for Indian tourists
DCT Abu Dhabi launched a pilot program covering the UAE entry-visa fee (reimbursing roughly AED 285 per visa) for Indian passport holders who book at least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel through a participating travel partner. The pilot runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026, capped at around 20,000 visas, and is not a permanent fee change.
India adds 11 eVisa entry points, including Attari and Moreh land crossings
India's Ministry of Home Affairs notified 11 new entry points for eVisa holders on August 10, 2026, raising the total from 77 to 88. They are the airports at Bhopal and Tirupati and nine land ports on the borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar, including Attari and Moreh. The network now covers 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports. Pakistani passport holders and people of Pakistani origin remain ineligible for the eVisa.
Philippines opens its eVisa to residents of the US and 19 Caribbean jurisdictions
The Philippine Embassy in Washington announced on August 7, 2026 that from August 10, residents of the United States and 19 Caribbean countries and territories can apply for a Philippine eVisa online at evisa.gov.ph, with no sticker placed in the passport. Eligibility depends on place of residence, not nationality, and US citizens still enter visa-free for an initial 30 days. The eVisa cannot be converted to another visa type or extended, and travelers still complete the e-Travel registration within 72 hours before departure.
Papua New Guinea makes its Digital Arrival Card mandatory before boarding
Papua New Guinea's Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority issued a notice on August 6, 2026 telling airlines to verify a completed PNG Digital Arrival Card before issuing a boarding pass. The card, available since October 1, 2025, can be submitted online up to 72 hours before arrival.
US makes visa bond program permanent, with bonds up to $20,000
The US made its B-1/B-2 visa bond program permanent in a final rule published August 3, 2026. Consular officers can require applicants from about 50 designated countries, 30 of them in Africa, to post a refundable bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 before a visa is issued. Bond holders must use designated ports of entry.
Oman adds a free 14-day tourist visa category
Royal Oman Police Decision No. 109/2026 adds a tourist visa category that is exempt from entry-visa fees and lasts 14 days, for nationals of countries designated by the competent authorities. It took effect on August 3, 2026, the day after its Official Gazette publication, and holders can convert it to another tourist visa category before it expires, subject to the usual requirements and fees. The decision does not list eligible nationalities. Some outlets say it covers 100+ countries, which matches Oman's existing 14-day visa-free list, so it is unclear how much changes for those travelers.
Azerbaijan allows visa-free tourism for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Singapore for a year
Azerbaijan's State Migration Service announced visa-free entry for ordinary-passport holders from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Singapore from August 1, 2026 to August 1, 2027. Visitors can enter up to three times in that period and stay up to 30 days per visit, for tourism only. Anyone staying more than 15 days must register at their accommodation under the Migration Code. Other purposes or longer stays still need a visa.
Egypt pilots a QR-code visa on arrival at Cairo airport
Egypt began piloting a digital visa-on-arrival at all Cairo International Airport arrival halls on August 1, 2026, replacing the paper sticker with a QR code that travelers can get through an app, an online portal or airport kiosks. It costs $36, made up of the $30 visa fee and a $6 issuing fee, and applies to travelers already eligible for visa on arrival. Egypt's government notice says the code stays valid for seven days from issue, though some earlier reports said 48 hours. The paper sticker runs in parallel during the pilot, and other airports will follow on dates not yet announced.
Taiwan suspends visa applications from Moroccan nationals
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stopped accepting visa applications from Moroccan nationals on July 30, 2026, citing reciprocity after Morocco stopped processing the Visa Confirmation Letters that Taiwanese travelers need to enter Morocco. Taiwanese who obtained a letter before July 20 can still travel to Morocco while it remains valid. Taiwan still considers Moroccan applications for family visits, study, official business and medical treatment on a special basis, and said on August 12 that it was seeking a resolution with Morocco through diplomatic channels.
Montenegro to end visa-free entry for Russia, Belarus, China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey
Montenegro's government adopted a decree on July 23, 2026 requiring visas from November 1, 2026 for citizens of Russia, Belarus, China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, who until now could enter without one (Russians and Belarusians for up to 30 days). The government says the change aligns its visa policy with EU rules, a requirement for closing the justice and home affairs chapter of its accession talks, with membership targeted for 2028. Applications can be filed through VFS Global centers as well as Montenegrin missions. On September 24 the government also moved to end the underlying visa-free agreements with Russia, Belarus and Turkey. Not yet in effect.
Taiwan renews 14-day visa-free entry for Thailand, Brunei and the Philippines
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its trial visa-free entry for Thai, Bruneian and Filipino nationals for another year, from August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027, with stays of up to 14 days. It is a renewal, not a new benefit. Taiwan also extended its simplified visa project for high-end group tourists through December 31, 2027 for India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos, and kept its Travel Authorization Certificate scheme open to those five. Cambodian nationals lost eligibility for both programs from August 1, 2026.
Chad announces visa-free entry for all African travelers from 2027
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno announced in N'Djamena on July 15, 2026 that Chad will abolish entry visas for all Africans from January 1, 2027. Ecofin Agency reports that the government has not yet published the maximum length of stay, any pre-arrival requirements or the border procedures. This is not yet in effect, so current visa rules apply until the change takes hold.
Vietnam cuts visa-free stay for Indonesians from 30 to 14 days
From July 15, 2026, Indonesian ordinary-passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 14 days, down from 30, and only for tourism and family visits. Anyone staying longer or traveling for another purpose needs a visa arranged beforehand. The Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi announced the change on July 6 and 7 and pointed to the ASEAN Framework on Visa Exemption for ordinary passports, while Tempo notes Vietnam itself gave no explanation. Indonesian arrivals had risen 26.5% in the first half of 2026.
Ethiopia publishes visa-on-arrival list covering 119 countries
Ethiopia published a visa-on-arrival eligibility list covering 119 countries on July 14, 2026. Nigeria is not on it, which continues a 2022 suspension of visa on arrival for Nigerian passport holders.
Australia plans to roll out its digital arrival card to all airports and seaports
On July 13, 2026, Australia's Home Affairs and Trade and Tourism ministers announced A$56.1 million over four years to roll out the Australia Travel Declaration, a digital alternative to the paper Incoming Passenger Card, at all international airports and seaports. It is not nationwide yet. The Qantas pilot into Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne has covered more than 450,000 passengers since October 2024 and is due to reach Perth and Adelaide before the end of 2026. The wider rollout, starting with a web form, is planned over 12 to 18 months. Paper cards remain available. It is a customs and biosecurity declaration, not a visa or ETA.
Indonesia adds Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Macau to its visa-free list
Indonesia added six countries and territories to its visa-free visit list under Immigration and Corrections Ministry Regulation No. 10 of 2026: Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Macau SAR. The ministry announced it on July 7 and the regulation was promulgated on July 9. The coverage does not state the length of stay or extension terms, so check the regulation text before traveling.
ETIAS reportedly delayed to 2027
The EU's planned €20 travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers has reportedly slipped from late 2026 to 2027, as regulators try to stabilize the EES rollout first. The official ETIAS website no longer gives a launch window, and the EU says it will announce a start date several months in advance.
Slovakia pauses most Schengen short-stay visa applications from Russians over the summer
Visa operators BLS International and VFS Global said Slovakia would stop taking short-stay Schengen applications from Russian nationals in July and August 2026, except for the sports category, and canceled existing appointments with fee refunds. National long-stay visas stayed open. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia said Slovakia issued only 1,149 visas to Russians in 2025. The Slovak embassy described it differently to Kommersant, saying application deadlines were adjusted for capacity reasons with priority for students, athletes and family reunification. The window ended August 31, and no report of an extension or a confirmed resumption was found as of October 2.
Visa Application Charges rise 25%
Australia raised its Visa Application Charges by about 25% across most categories from July 1, 2026. The offshore visitor (subclass 600) fee went from AUD 200 to AUD 250.
Japan raises visa fees fivefold, the first increase since 1978
Japan raised visa fees on July 1, 2026 for the first time in 48 years: single-entry visas went from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 and multiple-entry from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000, citing inflation and exchange-rate shifts. Some nationalities are exempt or pay different amounts.
Saudi Arabia launches an ETA for UK travelers, replacing the EVW
Saudi Arabia's new Electronic Travel Authorization for British passport holders launched on July 1, 2026, allowing multiple entries and stays of up to 180 days within a one-year period for tourism, business, and short-term study. It replaced the Electronic Visa Waiver for UK nationals. Saudi authorities described the move as reciprocal.
US pilots a $750 fee for faster B-1/B-2 visa interview slots
A State Department pilot, published in the Federal Register on June 9 and running July 1 to December 31, 2026, lets some B-1/B-2 applicants pay an extra $750 for an interview within 10 business days, on top of the $185 visa fee. It buys an earlier appointment only, not a faster decision or any advantage in approval, and the fee is non-refundable if the applicant cancels or misses the slot. It started in Mexico in late July and, from August 18, covers six posts: Mexico, Canada, Bogota, Guatemala City, San Jose and Tegucigalpa. None of the posts in India take part.
Panama drops its stamped-visa requirement for Dominican citizens
Executive Decree No. 12, signed June 30, 2026 and published in the Official Gazette, repeals the 2015 rule that required Dominican citizens to get a visa stamped by a Panamanian consul before traveling. The government said no security or technical reasons remain to keep it. Infobae reports Dominican tourists can stay up to 90 days under current migration rules, and standard entry requirements still apply at the border.
India reopens tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens
India's High Commissioner in Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi, announced on June 25 that Bangladeshi nationals could submit regular tourist visa applications from June 28, ending a suspension of nearly two years. Applications are taken at five visa centers (Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna), with more planned. Medical and urgent humanitarian visas stayed available throughout. Bangladesh had restored all visa categories for Indian nationals in February 2026.
EU restricts Schengen visas for Somali citizens
On June 25, 2026 the Council of the EU adopted Implementing Decision 2026/1454, in force from June 26, after judging that Somalia does not cooperate enough on taking back its nationals. Member states can no longer issue multiple-entry short-stay visas to Somali citizens, waive supporting documents, or waive fees for diplomatic and service passport holders, and the standard processing period rises from 15 to 45 days. The measures have no end date and can be lifted if cooperation improves. Long-stay national visas are not covered.
UAE adds six nationalities to visa on arrival for residents of partner countries
The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security announced on June 25, 2026 that citizens of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa can get a visa on arrival. They need a valid residence permit from the US, an EU country, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Options are 14 days for AED 100 (extendable once) or 60 days for AED 250 (single entry, not extendable), and accompanying family members are covered under the same conditions. Zawya gives July 25 as the start date, while the ICP announcement and The National give only June 25.
Ireland ends visa-free entry for St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and Nicaragua
From June 15, 2026, citizens of St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and Nicaragua need a visa to enter Ireland, including holders of diplomatic and service passports, and a transit visa to pass through. Minister of State Colm Brophy said the change brings Ireland closer to UK and European visa policy. Travelers who bought tickets before June 15 could enter visa-free until July 14 with carrier proof of the purchase date, flight and passenger name. That transition period has now ended.
India's 30-day tourist eVisa now allows multiple entries
India's 30-day e-Tourist Visa now allows multiple entries, replacing the earlier cap of two. Authorizations approved from June 12, 2026 carry the new wording, and India's official e-Visa page lists the 30-day visa as multiple entry. The 30 days still count from first arrival. An earlier change in December 2025 widened the window for the first entry from 30 to 120 days after approval.
Switzerland restores Schengen visa facilitations for Ethiopians
Switzerland's Federal Council decided on June 12, 2026 to lift the visa restrictions it had applied to Ethiopia since April 2024, with immediate effect. Swiss visas for Ethiopians can again be multiple-entry, supporting documents can be waived, diplomatic and service passport holders are exempt from fees, and applications are processed within 15 days. The move follows the Council of the EU, which ended its own measures in May 2026 after Ethiopia improved cooperation on returns.
Libya suspends visa on arrival at airports
Libya's Government of National Unity suspended visa-on-arrival issuance at airports and air entry points in a circular issued on the evening of June 10, 2026, citing forged entry documents and misuse. The suspension has no end date: it lasts until visa procedures are reviewed and new safeguards are in place, and the Interior Ministry and Passports Authority had 30 days to submit a proposal. The Libya Herald says land border crossings are covered too, while Xinhua describes air entry points only. The circular does not mention the eVisa, and no report of the suspension being lifted was found as of October 2.
Qatar ends the automatic extension of expired entry visas
Qatar's Ministry of Interior ended its temporary automatic extension of expired and expiring entry visas on June 7, 2026, after announcing the change on May 28. The relief had been introduced in early March after regional airspace closures and flight cancellations, starting as a free one-month extension effective February 28. From June 7, standard validity periods and fees apply again for every entry-visa category. The ministry told visitors and residents to check their status, renew on time, pay the fees or leave when a visa expires, to avoid overstay penalties.
Curaçao suspends Caribbean visas for six Ebola-affected countries
Curaçao's Justice Minister, Shalten Hato, announced a temporary suspension of Caribbean visa issuance for applicants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola and South Sudan, citing the Ebola outbreak. Local reports say the measure rests on the Kingdom Visa Act, and the government says there are no confirmed cases on the island. The government called the measure temporary. No announcement lifting it was found, and Fragomen still listed it on September 28. Fragomen describes it as an entry ban on nationals of the six countries, while the government statement as reported describes a halt to visa issuance.
Visa suspension over Ebola concerns
The UAE suspended new visas for nationals of the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan on June 6, 2026, over an Ebola outbreak. On September 26 it eased the measures for Uganda after the outbreak there ended. Restrictions on the DRC and South Sudan remain.
Uruguay starts the process to drop visas for Chinese travelers, not yet in effect
Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin announced on June 4, 2026 that Uruguay is starting the process to let Chinese citizens enter without a visa, reciprocating China's visa-free access for Uruguayans, which began in June 2025. Reports describe the first step in an administrative process: no decree, start date or length of stay has been published, and the visa requirement still applies for now.
Germany waives the airport transit visa for Indian passport holders
Germany lifted its airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals on June 3, 2026, a day after the change was announced in the Federal Law Gazette. The German Federal Foreign Office links it to Chancellor Merz's January 2026 visit to India. Press reports say it covers only travelers who stay in the international transit area and continue to a destination outside the Schengen area. Anyone entering Germany or another Schengen country still follows the normal entry rules.
Commission urges nine Schengen states to phase out internal border checks
Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden have kept temporary internal border controls in place for more than 12 months. On June 2, 2026, the European Commission issued opinions urging them to phase the checks out, saying the Entry/Exit System and other new tools should reduce the need for them.
Japan enacts the law behind JESTA, its future electronic travel authorization
Japan's Diet enacted an amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act on May 29, 2026, and it was promulgated on June 5 as Act No. 32. It creates the legal basis for JESTA, an online pre-arrival authorization for visa-exempt short-stay visitors. The JESTA provisions take effect on a date set by government ordinance, no later than March 31, 2029, and the government has been aiming at fiscal 2028. The procedure, fees and portal are not yet published, so nothing changes for travelers today.
Canada lets some Indonesian and Malaysian travelers use an eTA instead of a visa
From May 26, 2026, Indonesian and Malaysian citizens can apply for a Canadian eTA instead of a visitor visa if they have held a Canadian temporary resident visa in the past 10 years or hold a valid US non-immigrant visa. It applies only to travelers flying to or transiting through Canada. Anyone arriving by car, bus, train or boat still needs a visitor visa, and an eTA does not guarantee entry.
Ghana launches its national e-Visa portal and ends visa on arrival
President John Mahama launched Ghana's national e-Visa portal on May 25, 2026, run by the Ghana Immigration Service at evisa.immigration.gov.gh. Visa-required travelers now apply online instead of through consulates, with a single-entry e-Visa reported at US$260 for standard processing, and Fragomen reports that visa on arrival has been discontinued. African Union nationals outside ECOWAS and the AES, and some other previously visa-exempt nationalities, now request a free Electronic Travel Authorization before departure, while ECOWAS and AES nationals remain visa-exempt. Fragomen notes some ETA operational details were still unclear when it published on June 23.
Sri Lanka waives the tourist ETA fee for 40 nationalities
From May 25, 2026, nationals of 40 countries, including the US, UK, India, China, Japan, Germany and France, can get Sri Lanka's tourist ETA free of charge. The ETA itself is still required before travel and covers 30 days with double entry. Fees paid before May 25 are non-refundable, and staying beyond 30 days means paying an extension fee.
Visa-free stay cut for 93 nationalities
Thailand's cabinet withdrew the 60-day visa-free stay for 93 nationalities (including the US, UK, EU, India, and China) in May 2026, reversing a 2024 expansion after citing security concerns and unauthorized work. The Tourism Ministry has said the average visit lasts about 9 to 10 days. The final rules, published in the Royal Gazette on August 31 and effective September 15, give 60 countries and territories a 30-day tourism-only exemption, Mauritius and Seychelles a 15-day exemption, and narrow visa-on-arrival eligibility to just three nationalities.
Togo drops visas for all African passport holders for stays up to 30 days
Togo's Ministry of Security announced that nationals of all African states holding a valid national passport can enter without a visa for up to 30 days, effective May 18, 2026. Travelers must complete an online travel declaration at least 24 hours before arrival and show the resulting receipt at the border. Normal immigration, security and health rules still apply. Reports differ slightly on the exact start date.
Brazil grants visa-free entry to Chinese citizens through the end of 2026
Brazil announced on May 7, 2026 that holders of Chinese ordinary passports can enter without a visa from May 11 through December 31, 2026, for stays of up to 30 days that cannot be extended. It covers tourism, business, transit, cultural and sports activities, and family visits. It reciprocates China's visa-free access for Brazilians, in place since June 2025. The foreign ministry's consular guidance says the 30 days count within a one-year period from first entry, though press reports differ. The measure is set to expire at the end of 2026.
South Africa calls its ETA fully rolled out, but the portal lists four countries
South Africa declared its ETA fully implemented in April 2026, while its government portal still listed only four eligible countries. A R500 processing fee followed on August 17, 2026.
EES biometric border system goes live amid long queues
Europe's new biometric border system went live across 29 Schengen states on April 10, 2026. Within days, an easyJet flight left 122 passengers behind in Milan. By early July, aviation groups reported waits of up to five hours at some crossings, and airlines asked the Commission to pause the system over the summer. The Commission ruled out a full suspension but pointed to rules that let states temporarily suspend biometric registration.
Trinidad and Tobago replaces its paper arrival card with an online platform
Trinidad and Tobago's Immigration Division began accepting its Arrival/Departure card online, replacing the paper form travelers previously filled out on arrival or departure. The form can be completed up to 72 hours before travel using a passport and a photo of its biodata page, and it generates a receipt with QR codes to present to immigration and customs officers.
Grenada launches an online E/D card
Grenada's government launched an online portal for its Embarkation/Disembarkation (E/D) card, letting travelers submit it up to 72 hours before arrival instead of filling out a paper card on the plane or at the airport. The form asks for flight details, a copy of the passport biodata page, and an email address.
UK ETA becomes fully enforced, then runs into problems
The UK's ETA became mandatory for 85 nationalities on February 25, 2026. Since then, airline systems have flagged British dual nationals as needing an ETA, carriers face fines of up to £2,000 per passenger, the fee rose from £16 to £20, and an early June outage left some applicants waiting more than 60 hours. The Home Office says 24.8 million ETAs were issued from the 2023 launch through the end of 2025.
Mozambique launches a new unified e-Visa and ETA platform
President Daniel Chapo launched Mozambique's enhanced e-Visa platform on February 11, 2026, run with VFS Global at evisa.gov.mz and open to applicants from 183 countries. Citizens of 29 visa-exempt countries now need an Electronic Travel Authorization, reported at about US$48 and to be requested at least 48 hours before departure. Travelers from countries that need a visa apply for the full e-Visa, reported at about US$190. The older portal has been replaced.
Arrival Card rules tighten in South Korea and India
South Korea's new e-Arrival Card, effective January 2026, is required only for travelers who don't already hold a K-ETA. In India, foreign nationals including OCI cardholders have needed a digital Arrival Card since October 2025, and since April 2026 the paper version has been phased out entirely: digital is the only option.
Travel ban expands to 39 countries
The US travel ban grew from 19 countries to 39 facing a full or partial entry ban on January 1, 2026, adding nations including Syria, Mali, and Nigeria.
Haiti launches iKat, a digital arrival and departure card
Haiti's Directorate of Immigration and Emigration presented iKat on December 4, 2025, an online card that replaces the paper arrival and departure form, filled in at delidoc.gouv.ht/ikat within 72 hours before travel. Status is unclear: some reports called it mandatory from launch, others a pilot, the U.S. Embassy said in May 2026 it would become mandatory at all ports of entry later in the year, and one visa-news report cites a September 22 interior ministry circular making it mandatory from October 1, 2026. Sources still conflict, so confirm before travel.
E-visa entry points nearly double
Vietnam expanded its e-visa program from 42 to 83 entry points, continuing a broader loosening that already extended e-visa validity to 90 days with multiple entry.
Canada adds Qatar to its eTA program
Canada made Qatar eTA-eligible and visa-exempt for air travel on November 25, 2025.
Unified 'Gulf Schengen' visa delayed again
The six-nation unified Gulf tourist visa, often called the GCC Grand Tours visa, missed its original end-2025 target. On September 6, 2026, the GCC secretary-general said only that the visa would arrive soon, without naming a date. Reports of a late-2026 pilot refer to a separate UAE-Bahrain air-traveler scheme for GCC citizens.
Visa-free policy extended through 2026, Sweden added
China extended visa-free entry for more than 40 countries through December 31, 2026 and added Sweden to the list from November 10, 2025.
Sri Lanka makes its pre-departure ETA mandatory, then revokes it
Sri Lanka made a pre-departure ETA mandatory from October 15, 2025, then revoked the requirement on October 30. A February 2026 outage left airlines boarding passengers who had applied but not yet received approval notices. Since May 25, 2026, the ETA has again been required before arrival, and it is free for nationals of 40 countries.
US scraps most visa interview waivers
The State Department sharply narrowed its visa interview waiver program: most nonimmigrant applicants (including H-1B, L, and F student visas) now need an in-person interview even to renew. Only B-1/B-2 tourist-visa renewals and some H-2 agricultural-worker renewals within 12 months, plus diplomatic-type visas, still qualify for a waiver.
ESTA fee nearly doubles and a new $30 EVUS fee starts
The US raised the ESTA fee from $21 to $40 and introduced a new $30 EVUS fee on September 30, 2025. From October 2025 through April 2026, CBP received more than 5.9 million ESTA applications ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
New $250 'Visa Integrity Fee' is law, but collection has not started
A $250 Visa Integrity Fee was enacted for most nonimmigrant visas (tourist, student, and work) issued at a US embassy or consulate, on top of the visa fee. It was due to start in fiscal year 2026, but as of the latest reports available, the State Department had not begun collecting it or published a refund process. ESTA/Visa Waiver travelers are exempt.
No changes match the selected filters.
More governments now require a digital Arrival Card
More governments are pairing a digital Arrival Card with their existing visa or ETA requirements, as several changes above show.
At least 16 countries now ask for a digital Arrival Card: a short form about who you are and where you're staying, separate from any visa or ETA. Bangladesh, Australia, Canada, and the Bahamas also offer online options, but none of the four has made it mandatory. Canada's Advance CBSA Declaration, for example, is optional and available only at some airports.
It is lighter than a visa: usually free, and often needs only your passport and accommodation details. Check whether your destination requires one before you travel.
India (India e-Arrival Card)
South Korea (South Korea e-Arrival Card (K-ETA holders exempt, paper still accepted))
Vietnam (Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information (PAI), at five airports)
Thailand (Thailand Digital Arrival Card TDAC)
Singapore (SG Arrival Card SGAC)
Malaysia (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card MDAC)
Philippines (Philippines eTravel Registration)
Taiwan (Taiwan Arrival Card TWAC)
Indonesia (All Indonesia Arrival Card)
China (China Digital Arrival Card CDAC)
Cambodia (Cambodia e-Arrival Card, at the three international airports)
Laos (Laos Digital Immigration Form LDIF, at four checkpoints)
Papua New Guinea (PNG Digital Arrival Card PNGDAC)
Pakistan (Pakistan Digital Disembarkation Card via Pak-ID app (paper form still accepted))
Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago Arrival/Departure Card)
Grenada (Grenada Online Embarkation/Disembarkation (E/D) Card)
Beyond visas: other rising costs of travel
Not visa or ETA policy: tourism, conservation, attraction, and departure fees, tracked separately because they're a different category of "harder to travel."
Venice expands its day-tripper fee to 60 days
Venice charged its entry fee for day visitors (€5 in advance, €10 on short notice) on 60 days between April and July 2026, up from 54 days in 2025. Residents and overnight visitors were exempt.
Barcelona's tourist tax rises 60% at top-tier hotels
Catalonia raised its regional overnight-stay tax and let Barcelona raise its own city surcharge on top of it. At 5-star and luxury properties, the combined nightly charge climbs from about €7.50 to €12 per person, rising to as much as €15 by 2029 as the city surcharge phases in; other categories across Catalonia are increasing too.
Hawaii adds the first US climate "green fee"
Hawaii's transient accommodations tax rose 0.75 points to 11% on January 1, 2026, with the new revenue earmarked for climate resilience and conservation. A federal appeals court blocked the companion 11% levy on cruise passengers on December 31, 2025, and that part remains on hold pending litigation.
Machu Picchu adds a conservation surcharge
Peru's national protected-areas authority (SERNANP) added an 11-soles conservation charge on top of the standard foreign-visitor ticket, taking it from 152 to 163 soles.
Japan triples its international departure tax
Japan's "sayonara tax," charged to travelers leaving the country by air or sea, rises from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000, roughly $7 to $20, as part of the government's FY2026 tax reform, with part of the revenue earmarked for tourism-management measures.
Edinburgh launches the UK's first city-wide visitor levy
Edinburgh added a 5% visitor levy to overnight accommodation from July 24, 2026, the UK's first city-wide charge of its kind. It applies to the first five consecutive nights of a stay, calculated on the room cost before VAT, and covers hotels, short-term lets, hostels, and campsites alike. The city projects it will raise up to £50 million a year.
Baja California Sur raises its 'Embrace It' tourist tax
Baja California Sur raised its mandatory 'Embrace It' tourist tax from MX$470 to MX$488, about $27, for 2026, charged to international visitors over 12 who stay more than 24 hours. It's paid online in advance and generates a QR-code certificate, with revenue funding conservation, tourism infrastructure, and community projects.
Netherlands raises VAT on hotel stays from 9% to 21%
The Netherlands raised VAT on short-stay accommodation from the reduced 9% rate to the standard 21% rate on January 1, 2026. It covers hotels, guesthouses and other overnight lets, but not camping. In Amsterdam, which adds its own 12.5% tourist tax, a hotel room now carries taxes worth roughly 34% on top of the pre-tax room rate.
US national parks add a $100 fee for non-residents
Since January 1, 2026, visitors aged 16 and older who live outside the US pay a $100 per-person fee at 11 of the most visited national parks: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. It comes in addition to the usual entrance charge. A new $250 non-resident annual pass covers the holder plus three other adults in the party.
UK Air Passenger Duty rises on April 1
Air Passenger Duty went up on April 1, 2026. At the lowest class of travel, the charge is now £15 on flights up to 2,000 miles, £102 up to 5,500 miles and £106 beyond that. Seats in higher classes pay £32, £244 and £253. Every passenger leaving a UK airport pays it, and airlines usually build it into the fare.
Kyoto raises its top accommodation tax to ¥10,000 a night
From March 1, 2026, Kyoto replaced its three-tier accommodation tax with five tiers, charged per guest per night. Stays under ¥6,000 pay ¥200, ¥6,000 to ¥19,999 pay ¥400, ¥20,000 to ¥49,999 pay ¥1,000 (previously ¥500), ¥50,000 to ¥99,999 pay ¥4,000, and ¥100,000 or more pay ¥10,000. The old top rate was ¥1,000 for stays of ¥50,000 or more.
Hokkaido and about 20 Japanese localities add or expand lodging taxes
From April 1, 2026, Hokkaido charges a prefecture-wide lodging tax of ¥100 to ¥500 per person per night, depending on the price of the stay. Sapporo's own city tax applies on top. About 20 local governments introduced or expanded lodging taxes that month, including Hiroshima Prefecture, Yugawara, Gifu City and Toba.
Himeji Castle charges non-residents ¥2,500
From March 1, 2026, adult admission to Himeji Castle costs ¥2,500 for anyone who does not live in Himeji City, up from ¥1,000. Himeji residents still pay ¥1,000, and under-18s now enter free. The city expects maintenance and earthquake-proofing to cost about ¥28 billion over the next ten years.
Vienna raises its local tourist tax to 5%
Vienna's local accommodation tax rose from 3.2% to 5% of the room charge on July 1, 2026, and is due to reach 8% on July 1, 2027. The taxable amount is the price of the stay excluding VAT and breakfast. Hotel representatives have warned that it will make Vienna the second most expensive city in Europe for tourist tax, behind Amsterdam.
Milan raises its city tax for the 2026 Winter Olympics
A government decree for the Milano-Cortina Winter Games let municipalities near the venues add to their visitor tax for 2026. From January 1, Milan charges €10 per person per night in a 5-star hotel, €7.40 in a 3-star, €5 in a 2-star and €4 in a 1-star, plus €9.50 for short-term rentals and €3 in hostels. The higher rates apply to 2026 only.
The Louvre charges visitors from outside Europe more
On January 14, 2026, the Louvre raised its adult ticket for visitors from outside the European Economic Area from €22 to €32, a 45% increase. Residents and citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway still pay €22, and under-18s enter free. The museum says the extra income will help fund its modernization project.
Rome starts charging €2 to reach the Trevi Fountain basin
Since early February 2026, tourists and other non-residents of Rome pay €2 to enter the lower basin area of the Trevi Fountain between 9:00 and 22:00. Viewing from the piazza stays free. Rome residents, young children, and people with disabilities and a companion enter free.
Galápagos park entry fee doubles to $200
Ecuador's Environment Ministry doubled the Galápagos National Park entry fee for foreign visitors from $100 to $200 on February 1, 2026, to fund expanded conservation work as visitor numbers climb.
How this was built
How we source this
Every change links to where we found it. When you see a source marked "(official)," it links straight to a government notice, regulatory filing, or official statement. When no official source exists yet, we rely on credible news reporting instead, and say so, rather than presenting it as government-confirmed.
This tracker does not use iVisa's own application or booking data. Every figure comes from a linked government or news source.
What this isn't
This is a snapshot of announced policy changes, not travel advice or a statement on any individual traveler's eligibility. Requirements shift. Always confirm current rules with the relevant government or your airline before you travel.
It also isn't a complete record of every travel policy change worldwide. It reflects the changes our research team has been able to identify and verify against the sources above; coverage skews toward higher-traffic routes and English-language sources, and a change we haven't found or confirmed yet simply isn't listed here.
iVisa is an independent travel document service, not a government agency or embassy. It helps travelers complete these same applications correctly and on time. It doesn't set the policies tracked here.
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