Asia

The Asia Travel Information category provides up-to-date information on travel formalities in Asian countries such as China, Japan, India, Thailand, Malaysia and other popular destinations. This category is dedicated to publishing information on visas, passports, mandatory vaccinations, travel restrictions and customs regulations for travelers visiting various Asian countries. Articles published in this category will contain useful tips for travelers, information on precautions to take, recent changes in laws and regulations, as well as updates on known incidents that could affect the safety of travelers to Asian destinations.

Bali tax: government pushes to impose boarding control

From April 1, 2025, international airlines operating flights from Bali will require passengers to show proof of payment of the tourist tax before boarding. This measure follows the Balinese government's decision to step up enforcement of this tax, introduced in February 2024. The tourist tax, amounting to ... Read the article

In India, certain connected terminals are not welcome

Several countries have strict regulations concerning the use of satellite communication devices, such as the Garmin inReach. These devices, which can send messages, issue SOS alerts, track a route and share one's position without requiring cellular service, may be illegal in some countries. The example of India In India, the use of ... Read the article

South Korea launches electronic arrival card

South Korea is set to modernize its immigration process with the introduction of the e-Arrival or Electronic Arrival Card, launched on February 24, 2025. This new digital system will replace traditional paper arrival forms, to simplify entry procedures for international travelers. The initiative is designed to improve efficiency at checkpoints ... Read the article

Yes, you can return to India overland with an e-Visa

India, a country with a thousand facets, attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year. To facilitate access to this vast territory, the Indian government has introduced the e-Visa system, a practical solution for many travelers. However, it's important to understand the limitations of this electronic visa, particularly as regards ... Read the article

New price cut for Cambodian electronic visa

Cambodia is reducing its e-Visa tariffs from January 1, 2025, making the country more accessible to international travelers. The electronic tourist visa (e-Visa T) will be reduced from US$36 to US$30, while the electronic business visa (e-Visa E) will be lowered from US$42 to US$35. This initiative is designed to stimulate ... Read the article

South Korea reimposes K-ETA from January 1, 2025

From January 1, 2025, South Korea will re-impose the Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) requirement for travelers from 67 currently exempt countries and territories. This temporary exemption, introduced on April 1, 2023 as part of the "Visit Korea Year 2023-2024" program, was aimed at boosting tourism ... Read the article

China waffles on its visa waiver strategy

China is redrawing the contours of its policy for welcoming foreign visitors. Gone are the days when the Middle Kingdom barricaded itself behind an administrative wall. Now, the country is rolling out the red carpet to a growing number of nationalities, offering them simplified access to its thousand-year-old treasures and futuristic megacities. The Chinese government ... Read the article

Kazakhstan introduces a visa for digital nomads

The world has changed radically in recent years, with the rise of digital technologies enabling new forms of remote working. Kazakhstan is no exception to this trend, and recently announced an initiative that could revolutionize the way digital workers think about their business. By introducing a visa for ... Read the article

India updates the content of issued e-Visas

As India continues its quest for modernization, a subtle but significant change has just been made to its e-Visa system. Contrary to rumors, this is not a complete overhaul of the application process. The core of this update concerns only the rendering of the documents issued, more specifically the PDF files ... Read the article

India offers 100,000 visas to boost tourism

India is pulling out all the stops to boost tourism. The government has just announced a shock measure: 100,000 free visas for foreign tourists. The initiative, dubbed "Chalo India" (Let's go to India), is designed to give the country's tourism sector a serious boost. A tempting offer, but not a first This is the ... Read the article

Thailand postpones the deployment of the 1st phase of its ETA

Thailand had originally planned to introduce its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system in December 2024. However, the Thai government recently announced a postponement of this implementation via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. No new launch date According to an official statement from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the date ... Read the article

Myanmar introduces mandatory Mpox health form

On August 22, 2024, the Myanmar government introduced a new health measure requiring all travelers entering the country to complete a Mpox-specific health form. Following in the footsteps of the Philippines, Nigeria, Indonesia and Brunei, this decision comes against the backdrop of an international public health emergency ... Read the article

Finally, visa-free entry to Sri Lanka postponed indefinitely

The Sri Lankan government recently announced its intention to introduce a visa waiver program for tourists from 38 countries. However, the implementation of this measure is proving more complex than expected, requiring parliamentary approval before it can come into effect. The background to the announcement and the obstacles to its implementation ... Read the article

Philippines modifies eTravel to contain Mpox

The Philippine government has recently introduced new sanitary border control measures, aimed specifically at preventing the introduction and spread of the Mpox virus (formerly known as monkeypox) on its territory. These measures are part of an overall strategy of reinforced epidemiological surveillance, in response to the ... Read the article