IMMIGRATION ALERTS

China e-Visa 2026: Complete guide to COVA online system – step-by-step application, reduced fees, 4–15 day processing, 30-day visa-free for 30+ countries, 240-hour transit.

India replaces paper disembarkation cards with mandatory online e-Arrival Card from October 1, 2025. OCI card holders now included. Submit via Indian Visa Online portal or Su-Swagatam app.

Pakistan Suspends Visa on Arrival and Visa Prior to Arrival for 126 Countries in 2026: eVisa now mandatory with longer processing times. US, UK, Canada, EU affected.

Trinidad and Tobago launches mandatory Online Arrival/Departure Card March 17, 2026. QR code required for all travelers at airports and seaports. Submit within 72 hours.

Cambodia launches Visa-Free Trial 2026 for Chinese nationals: 14-day stays, multiple entries, zero fees from June 15 to October 15. Full eligibility and travel guide.

Costa Rica launches pilot program March 16, 2026: File permanent residence and key applications at San José and Santa Ana post offices—no appointment required!

Costa Rica's DGME partners with BCR for same-day DIMEX cards, ending the notorious 4-month backlog for residents.

Czech Embassy Islamabad suspends all visa operations for 12 days (March 18–29, 2026)—Schengen and long-stay visas halted, appointments canceled.

Nicaragua has revoked visa-free entry for 128 nationalities in 2026, replacing it with the mandatory "Consulted Visa" requiring prior authorization. Travelers must now apply 30-60 days in advance.

Armenia overhauls immigration: New work visa, online permits & foreign worker quota from Aug 1, 2026.

Historic breakthrough! India fully restores visas for Bangladeshi citizens after 18 months of delays. Travel, study, and business mobility set to resume by June 2026.

India replaces the e-PLI Visa with the new eB4 Visa. Now open to all Indian companies, this fully digital, 6-month multiple-entry visa allows foreign engineers and technicians to enter India quickly for setting up and expanding production facilities without employment visa has

DGME confirms DIMEX delays Costa Rica 2026 of 3-4 months; temporary concessions extended for foreign residents.

EU confirms EES rollout Oct 2025 → full mandatory by April 2026. ETIAS pushed to late 2026. 12-month transition period planned. No immediate change for Indian visa holders.

Sri Lanka has revamped its visa: now valid for up to 5 years with a lower $1,500 income bar. Here’s why it’s the hottest new destination for remote workers in 2026.

Vietnam eliminates slow consular legalization from September 2026. Here's how the new Apostille system cuts costs and processing time for Indians moving to Vietnam.

Your complete guide to the new Thailand Visa-Free Policy for Indians effective February 2026. Learn about the 60-day visa exemption, 30-day extension process, TDAC requirements, and entry rules for Indian passport holders.

Armenia's temporary visa waiver for Indian passport holders requires a qualifying residence permit with at least six months validity remaining from the date of entry. The policy runs January 1 to July 1, 2026, permitting stays up to 180 days. Learn which residence permits qualify, what documents to carry, and why border officials may deny entry if your permit falls short of the six-month requirement.

China offers visa-free entry to citizens from dozens of countries in 2026, including recent additions like Canada and the UK. Here is a continent-wise breakdown of all eligible nations, expiry dates, and essential travel tips.

Schengen Area countries have renewed internal border checks across multiple frontiers. Nine nations—Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, and Sweden—have extended controls until March-June 2026, with Germany continuing checks until September 2026. Find out how these extensions impact your travel, what documents to carry, and key compliance tips for Indian passport holders.