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Vietnam renews visa waiver for 12 countries
Vietnam announced the renewal of its unilateral visa waiver policy for citizens of 12 Asian and European nations until 2028 on Friday, 7th March. The measure aims to boost the country’s tourist appeal and encourage international trade. Originally introduced in August 2023, the waiver extension takes effect on 15th March of this year, terminating on 14th March 2028. Those covered by the waiver may enjoy a 45-day visa-free stay in Vietnam. Which nations are covered by the waiver? The twelve countries covered by the exemption are France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Through this extension, Vietnam continues to honour its commitment to ease entry for international travellers, a measure particularly beneficial to its tourism sector. Since the post-pandemic reopening of its borders, the country has relied on a more flexible entry policy to attract more visitors and boost its economy. Three new exemptions Aside from the extended waiver, the Vietnamese government now offers visa exemption for citizens of Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. As of 1st March, Czech, Polish, and Swiss nationals are allowed a visa-free stay limited to 45 days until 31st December; the waiver only applies to tourist arrivals. Despite its limited nature, this three-nation waiver aligns with the government’s plans to explore new tourism and economic opportunities with these European nations. This latest initiative likewise reflects a desire to deepen diplomatic and economic relations with the beneficiary countries. By facilitating access to Vietnamese territory, the government is encouraging trade, investment and the strengthening of cultural ties with these partner nations.
No visa, no problem! UK rolls out mandatory ETA for European visitors
The United Kingdom has officially opened applications for its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system to passport holders from more than 30 European countries, with the requirement taking effect from April 2. The online system, which mirrors the U.S. ESTA model, allows travelers from visa-exempt countries to apply for entry into the UK through a streamlined digital process available via a dedicated app or website. The expansion marks the latest phase in the UK’s gradual rollout of the ETA, which was introduced in November 2023 and extended to over 50 countries, including the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, earlier this year. Currently priced at GBP 10, the UK government has proposed increasing the fee to GBP 16, a move that has faced criticism from the business travel sector. The ETA remains valid for multiple trips over a two-year period or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Eligible travelers from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden can now submit applications online. The full list of eligible nations includes Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Vatican City. Meanwhile, the European Union is developing its own electronic travel authorization system, ETIAS, but its implementation remains delayed due to setbacks with the Entry-Exit System (EES). The EU has indicated that EES is expected to launch later in 2025, with ETIAS unlikely to be introduced in the first half of the year.
Singapore Residents’ Year End and Lunar New Year travel spending hit new highs: Visa
Representative Image Visa, shared that Singapore residents continue to prioritise travel, with outbound spending surging in December last year, as well as the recent Lunar New Year holiday week. In fact, travel spend by Singapore consumers for December and January hit record levels. Supported by a strong Singapore dollar, cross-border spending remains robust across key travel corridors, with notable shifts in consumer travel and spending patterns. Shopping and Dining Remain Top Spend Categories during December Year-End Travel Visa's data highlights that shopping and dining remain top priorities for Singapore travellers, accounting for 61 per cent of their travel spend, while lodging and airline bookings saw strong year-on-year growth as consumers plan ahead for travel. Retail spend recorded a 14 per cent year-on-year increase, while spending on restaurants and fast food surged by 27 and 30 per cent, respectively. These figures underscore the enduring appeal of overseas shopping and dining experiences for Singapore travellers. Malaysia, Japan, and Thailand have emerged as the leading travel corridors for cross-border outbound spending, closely followed by South Korea and Australia during the year-end holidays last year. The implementation of visa-free travel to China has significantly boosted travel demand, resulting in an 86 per cent year-on-year increase in travel spend in China. This reflects a broader trend of increased regional travel, facilitated by relaxed entry requirements and strong economic ties. Malaysia has always been the top travel destination for Singapore residents all-year round. Based on Visa's International Travel platform, the top cities that Singaporeans visited include Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Cameron Highlands, Bangkok, Bali and Kota Tinggi (Johor). Last year, Singapore travellers' card spending in Japan also grew 138 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Visa's data also highlighted the evolving destination preferences for Singapore residents. Compared to December 2023, Japan and Thailand have secured their place as key travel destinations, while long-haul markets such as the UK, US, and France continue to attract high-spending travellers. South Korea and Thailand are also emerging as healthcare-driven travel destinations, with increasing numbers of Singapore residents seeking medical services abroad. In fact, South Korea saw a 58 per cent rise in healthcare-related travel spending. Japan and Thailand experienced the highest travel spend growth, recording 42 and 29 per cent year-on-year increase respectively. Meanwhile, Malaysia saw the strongest growth in food and groceries spending at 75 per cent year-on-year, reinforcing its position as a key travel and consumption hub. "Travel continues to be a key category of spend for Visa cardholders in Singapore. Based on a Visa study, travel is a top priority for Singapore travellers, surpassing other big-ticket spending items such as vehicles, property, healthcare and luxury goods in terms of importance. This finding is aligned with what we're seeing from our data, where there is strong cross-border spend growth during year-end and festive periods. We continue to see interest in consumers using cards that can earn airline miles for their spend, and other propositions such as zero FX and multi-currency offerings. With the vast data that we see, we can work with our partners to share these key insights and create relevant benefits for our cardholders, making the payment experience seamless and secure when they travel and pay with Visa", said Adeline Kim, Visa Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei. As travel planning becomes more strategic, Singapore travellers are making early bookings to manage costs and secure better deals. Spending on alternative airline carriers, including European and Middle Eastern airlines, rose by 15 per cent year-on-year, indicating a growing preference for diverse flight options. In addition, online lodging bookings increased by 16 per cent year-on-year in December last year. Top travel destinations during Lunar New Year holiday similar to year-end of 2024 The top travel destinations during this year's Lunar New Year holiday are similar to the year-end break, with the exception of Indonesia taking the fourth spot, replacing South Korea. During the Lunar New Year holiday week, Singapore travellers took the opportunity to spend the week travelling, with a strong spike in cross-border spend at 22 per cent growth compared to the week of Lunar New Year in 2024. eCommerce spend also grew by close to 30 per cent compared to the previous year during the festive period, showing that people were spending more to purchase online, given this year's Lunar New Year coincides with 2 February. Malaysia continues to be the top travel corridor, with payments volume growing at 57 per cent compared to the previous Lunar New Year week. The top growing category in Malaysia was jewellery stores, showing over 220 per cent growth compared to the previous year. Japan comes in second as a preferred destination for Singaporeans. During this ski season, Visa saw a 36 per cent growth on cross-border spend compared to the same festive period the year before. Thailand's healthcare spend also grew at over 59 per cent.
VFS Global’s new Indonesia e-Visa on Arrival official platform goes live for 97 nationalities
Balinese women carrying on religious offering - Penglipuran is a traditional oldest Bali village at Bangli Regency - Bali, Indonesia VFS Global's new Indonesia Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) platform, is now available for nationals of all the 97 countries eligible for e-VoA, including Japan. Travellers can now enjoy a quicker and smoother visa application journey through VFS Global and completing the entire process online and receiving a pre-approved e-VoA before departure. Saffar Muhammad Godam, Acting Director General of Immigration of the Republic of Indonesia, said: "We are committed to continuously improving immigration services, both in terms of quality and integrity. This partnership with VFS Global will help in ensuring that applicants receive seamless, reliable, and efficient service." Tato Juliadin Hidayawan, Director of Visa and Travel Documents, said: "The implementation of e-VoA, which is integrated with autogates, not only facilitates tourists but also reduces queues at airports, increasing the comfort and efficiency of immigration clearance. Additionally, this digital system reduces direct interaction between immigration officers and passengers, minimising the potential for abuse of authority." Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development, VFS Global, said: "The launch of this innovative, secure, and user-friendly digital e-Visa on Arrival platform for Indonesia will undoubtedly streamline the visa application process, making it faster, easier, and more convenient." 5 reasons to opt for an Indonesia e-VoA: 1) Easy to access and process: Foreign tourists can apply for an e-VoA through smartphones and complete the process in only 10 minutes if all required documents are uploaded correctly and completely. 2) User-friendly website interface: The website has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for applicants to navigate. Applicants should make sure they have scanned copies of required documents such as passport biodata page, a 3x4 photo, and a round-trip flight ticket. 3) Convenient payment using credit cards: The e-VoA application system is designed to be easy to pay, allowing for online payment using credit cards, making it more practical and secure. 4) Easy immigration clearance at the airport: Foreign tourists who have obtained an e-VoA can proceed directly to immigration clearance via autogates without having to queue at the manual passport check counter. 5) Easy and flexible e-VoA extension: Foreign tourists who want to spend more time in Indonesia can easily extend their visa through the same system. The e-VoA extension can be done once and grants a stay period of 30 days.
Namibia introduces online visa-on-arrival to streamline entry for international travellers
Namibia has launched a new online Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) system, allowing eligible travelers to apply digitally before their arrival. The system, which officially went live on March 3, 2025, will be accessible for applications starting April 1, 2025. The initiative by Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHISS), aims to simplify entry procedures, boost tourism, and improve Namibia’s travel accessibility for visitors from countries without a reciprocal visa agreement. Under this new system, travelers can apply for a VoA online, at a Namibian consular post, or upon arrival at designated ports of entry. Regardless of the application method, all applicants must provide a valid passport, a motivation letter explaining the purpose of travel, proof of sufficient funds (bank statement), confirmation of accommodation, a booked itinerary, and medical insurance. New Visa structure and fees The Visa-on-Arrival fee has been set at NAD 1,600 (approximately USD 85) for non-African travelers and NAD 1,200 (approximately USD 64) for African travelers. The introduction of digital processing is expected to reduce wait times at entry points, making travel to Namibia more seamless for tourists and business visitors. Currently, Namibia has visa exemptions for travelers from 55 countries, including 18 nations with reciprocal visa agreements. The government has stated that the new visa regime aims to encourage more reciprocity between Namibia and other countries, while also serving as a new revenue stream for the country’s tourism and immigration sectors. Enhancing Namibia’s global connectivity Namibia’s tourism and business sectors are expected to benefit significantly from this streamlined visa process, which aligns with global trends in digitalizing immigration systems to facilitate easier travel. The new VoA system is part of broader efforts to modernize Namibia’s border management, ensuring a more efficient and traveler-friendly entry experience.
British travellers to get six-month grace period as new EU visa system nears launch
British travelers preparing for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) rollout will benefit from a six-month grace period, allowing entry into EU countries even without the new visa waiver. The ETIAS, expected to launch in early 2026, will cost around EUR 7 and remain valid for three years. The new system, aimed at enhancing border security and streamlining travel, will work alongside the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is set to introduce biometric checks at EU borders by late 2025. Why this matters The ETIAS and EES are part of a broader trend of tightening entry requirements globally. While the EU emphasizes these measures as a step toward enhanced security, concerns have arisen within the travel industry about potential delays and disruptions, particularly at busy entry points such as Dover and major EU airports. A recent survey conducted by the UK's Department for Transport revealed that 15% of British travelers are now less inclined to visit the EU due to the upcoming changes, while 20% said they would reconsider or delay their trips if the new system led to extended wait times. The EES is expected to replace traditional passport stamping with an automated biometric check, potentially impacting border flow at key transit points. Industry response and travel implications Travel experts are advising British travelers to stay ahead of these changes by ensuring they apply for ETIAS well in advance once it is implemented. While the EU has promised a grace period of 180 days to ease the transition, concerns remain over the readiness of infrastructure at land crossings and airports to handle the shift smoothly. Moreover, the UK is not alone in facing such entry hurdles. Similar visa requirements are becoming common worldwide, with the United States implementing ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for travelers from visa-waiver countries and Canada enforcing eTAs (Electronic Travel Authorizations). These shifts indicate a move toward digital pre-screening systems that could soon become a global norm. For UK travelers, adapting to these changes will be crucial, especially for frequent flyers to the EU. While the transition period provides breathing room, early adoption of ETIAS will ensure smoother travel experiences when the system becomes fully operational.
Nigeria introduces 48-hour e-visa, eliminating embassy hassles for faster entry and tourism growth
Nigeria is set to revolutionize its short-stay visa approval system by transitioning to a fully automated, electronic process. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Interior, aims to boost tourism, business travel, and foreign investments by making entry into the country more seamless and efficient. Talking about the development, Nigeria’s Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said: “We are committed to improving the ease of doing business and travel in Nigeria. The automation of the visa process will eliminate bureaucratic delays, ensure transparency, and make Nigeria more accessible to global travelers.” Under the new system, travelers applying for short-stay visas will be able to complete the entire process online, with approvals granted within 24 to 48 hours. Successful applicants will receive their e-visas directly via email, removing the need for physical visa stickers or in-person processing at airports or embassies. This digital transformation aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader efforts to modernize Nigeria’s immigration system and enhance the country’s attractiveness as a global destination for business and leisure. A Move Toward Digital Efficiency This initiative builds on Nigeria’s ongoing immigration reforms, which include the recent implementation of a contactless passport application system for Nigerians abroad. By removing the reliance on intermediaries and manual processing, the new visa automation system is expected to reduce wait times, prevent fraud, and improve security. The e-visa system will primarily cater to short-term travelers, including business visitors, tourists, and event attendees, who often face delays with traditional visa processing. By expediting approvals and offering a fully digital solution, Nigeria aims to increase inbound travel, stimulate economic activity, and position itself as a more business-friendly nation in the region. Impact on Business, Tourism, and Global Relations Nigeria’s move to digitize its visa approval process is expected to strengthen international relations and align the country with global best practices in immigration management. The system will encourage more foreign investment, facilitate easier entry for professionals attending conferences and business meetings, and boost Nigeria’s appeal as a key destination for international tourism and trade. With this major step toward modernization and digital transformation, Nigeria is set to make travel to the country more efficient, transparent, and hassle-free, positioning itself as a leading travel hub in Africa.
Kazakhstan launches new visa categories
Kazakhstan recently introduced new visa categories as a way of attracting fresh investments and manpower to boost the national economy. These new visas are specifically meant to attract entrepreneurs, professionals, and remote workers. These visa categories are the Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1), Digital Nomad Visa (B9-1), and Permanent Residency Visa (B9), all of which aim to enhance Kazakhstan’s position as a global talent hub and innovation center. According to a statement from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “For those seeking long-term opportunities or looking to gain fresh inspiration as digital nomads, Kazakhstan’s new visa options provide the flexibility and support needed to succeed in a global environment.” What is each visa for? B12-1 Neo Nomad Visa The Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) is a special visa for professionals and digital entrepreneurs who wish to earn income from abroad while working remotely in Kazakhstan. This visa is valid for up to one year and allows for a one-year extension within Kazakhstan. Family members and dependents can also obtain visas for the same duration though employment and religious activities are subject to restrictions under Kazakhstan’s laws. B9-1 Digital Nomad Visa The Digital Nomad Visa (B9-1) is designed for professionals working in the IT sector who wish to relocate to Kazakhstan and obtain permanent residency. This visa allows for the issuance of a single-entry electronic visa valid for up to one year. Once this duration is up, applicants may apply for a multiple-entry paper visa through Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs for up to one additional year. B9 Permanent Residency Visa The Permanent Residency Visa (B9) is intended for skilled foreign professionals in fields such as medicine, science, education, and other essential industries, allowing them to settle in Kazakhstan long-term. The single-entry visa is valid for up to 90 days, while the multiple-entry visa is also valid for up to 90 days and can be issued once per year. After arriving in Kazakhstan, holders of this visa can transition to permanent residency.
Russians advised to apply ‘early’ for Schengen Visas by tour operators
Representative Image Tour operators have advised all Russian nationals who plan to visit the Schengen Area during the spring and summer months to take care of their applications ahead of time in order to avoid unnecessary delays. According to tour operators, the closer the high seasons, the more difficult it will be to secure a Schengen visa appointment. Taking this into account, Russians have been reminded that Schengen member states accept applications up to six months before the intended date of travel and advised them to not leave anything for the last minute, as informed by a news report in Schengen News. According to the Russian Association of Tour Operators, experts have predicted that this year, there will be an increased demand for Schengen visas and trips to the bloc starting from the end of March. The increased demand is expected to last until the end of September when the high season ends. For this reason, to take advantage of faster processing times and availability of appointments, everyone has been recommended to file applications during the months when there are traditionally fewer people applying for the document. Data provided by the Association of Tour Operators show that Schengen visas in Moscow can not be obtained at almost the same time as before the Coronavirus pandemic. Nonetheless, not all countries have the same availability in appointments and processing times. Experts from BSI Group have said that Italy is currently offering the fastest processing of visas for Russians and has the shortest waiting time to secure an appointment slot. As the experts revealed, visa appointments at the Italian visa centre in Moscow can be found between seven to ten days in advance. At the same time, the experts said that once the Russians undergo the interview and submit their biometrics, their Italian visa is issued within two to three weeks. France and Spain also have fast visa processing times for Russians. However, it is more difficult to find closer available visa appointments. At the moment, the French visa centre in Moscow does not have available slots until the end of March. As for Spanish visa appointments, the experts said that the slots for the second half of February will be distributed soon. Both France and Spain as processing Schengen visa applications for Russians within three weeks. The Greek visa centre in Moscow is also processing visas fast – in around seven working days.
China offers visa-free entry to Xishuangbanna to Southeast Asian travellers
China announced that it is offering visa-free entry to Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province to travellers from countries that are part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The offer comes as China works to promote tourism to the area. In a statement released on Monday, 10th February, China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) said tourist groups of two or more ordinary passport holders from ten ASEAN member-nations can stay in Xishuangbanna for a maximum of six days. NIA officials said: “This policy marks a significant step towards enhancing autonomous opening-up and supporting Yunnan's development as the Chinese pivot of opening-up to south and southeast Asia. It is of great importance to advancing the tourism industry in southwest China, promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries, and deepening the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership.” Who can avail of the offer? The offer covers citizens from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Tourists from these ASEAN countries can enter and exit China visa-free through the Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port, and Mohan Highway Port, with travel limited to the administrative region of Xishuangbanna Prefecture. Aside from tourists, China also seeks to open up immigration management at an institutional level to attract more foreign nationals traveling and doing business in the country.
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