News

The Visamundi teams keep abreast of frequent legislative changes in immigration policy and share trends, news, announcements, rumors and other relevant information with you.

Australia: Qantas tests digital arrival forms

Gone are the days of lost pens and hastily scribbled declarations! Australia is about to say goodbye to paper arrival forms, relics of a bygone era that have haunted travelers' suitcases for decades. Qantas, the country's flagship airline, has just launched a trial that could well revolutionize the experience of ... Read the article

Equatorial Guinea exempts Lebanese from visa requirements

In a bold move combining diplomacy and economic opportunism, Equatorial Guinea has announced its intention to grant visas to all Lebanese wishing to settle there. The decision, announced by Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue on social networks, comes against a tense geopolitical backdrop in the Middle East. A warm welcome against a backdrop of ... Read the article

Cuba: We know the expiry date of tourist cards!

Travelers beware: if you've got a tourist card for Cuba sitting in a drawer, it's time to dust it off! The Cuban authorities have just announced an extension to the validity of these precious sesames. Originally scheduled to expire at the end of 2024, the deadline has now been set for June 30, 2025. A ... Read the article

South Africa: details on the future electronic travel authorization

South Africa is embarking on an ambitious digital transformation of its immigration and civic services. The aim is to modernize and simplify administrative procedures for South African citizens and international travelers alike. The Home Affairs @ Home project, unveiled by the South African Department of Home Affairs, is set to revolutionize the user experience, making ... 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

Jordanians need visas again to travel to the UK

The recent announcement of the suspension of the e-permit system for Jordanian citizens wishing to travel to the UK has raised many questions and concerns. The decision, effective from September 10, 2024, now means that Jordanians will need to apply for a visa in advance before they can enter the UK. This ... Read the article

Qatar eligible for ESTA as early as December

In a landmark announcement for U.S.-Qatari relations, the U.S. State Department has confirmed that Qatar will become, as of December 1, 2024, the 42nd country to join the prestigious U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This decision makes Qatar the first Gulf Arab state to benefit from ... 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

Ivorians traveling to Morocco must apply for a visa

On August 14, 2024, the Moroccan government announced the reinstatement of a visa requirement for Ivorian nationals wishing to travel to Morocco as of September 1, 2024. This decision, taken in consultation with the Ivorian authorities, is part of a strategy aimed at tightening control over migratory flows and ... Read the article

USA launches online passport renewal system

On September 18, 2024, the U.S. State Department officially launched its online passport renewal system. The announcement, made by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma at the Skift Global Forum, is the culmination of months of rigorous development and testing. The new system is based on a secure platform accessible via the ... 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