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.

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

Thailand: Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) coming soon

Thailand, known for its breathtaking scenery, rich culture and legendary hospitality, recently embarked on an ambitious project to modernize and tighten control of travelers entering its territory without a visa. Since July 2024, new rules have been in force, redefining entry conditions and profoundly altering the landscape of ... Read the article

Some tips for your Indonesia Visa extension

After a few days in Indonesia, you may want to extend your stay to make the most of this fascinating country. Fortunately, Indonesia offers a number of ways to extend your stay, whether by electronic visa or in-person application. The procedures vary depending on the type of visa you ... Read the article

North Korea reopens its borders

After almost five years of closure, North Korea is preparing to partially reopen its borders to foreign tourists this December. This marks an important turning point for the country, long isolated from the rest of the world. Let's find out what this opening means, and what opportunities it offers to travelers eager to discover ... Read the article

Pakistan: no more visas for 126 nationalities

Pakistan recently introduced a revolutionary measure to attract more tourists and investors by offering free visas to citizens of 126 countries. The initiative aims to simplify administrative procedures and boost the local economy through increased tourist visits and foreign investment. Who can benefit from the visa ... Read the article

Japan: Taiwan to be the first to test the future ETA

From January 2025, Japan will introduce an electronic pre-authorization system for visa-exempt visitors, starting with tourists from Taiwan. This system, often compared to the American ESTA, will enable travelers to submit their information online before departing for Japan. The data required will include the purpose ... Read the article

India: Port Blair seaport now eligible for e-Visa

The Indian government recently announced a significant expansion of its electronic visa program (e-Visa), now including the seaport of Port Blair among the eligible entry points. This decision is part of a strategy to boost tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands region.

China extends list of visa-free ports

China recently expanded its 144-hour visa-free transit policy, allowing more international travelers to transit the country without the need for a visa. This expansion now includes 3 new ports of entry: Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Henan province, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and ... Read the article