IMMIGRATION ALERTS

Saudi Arabia and Kenya have signed a bilateral agreement to regulate the recruitment of domestic workers from Kenya to the Kingdom. The agreement establishes a structured framework to protect the rights of both employers and workers, defines clear recruitment procedures, and strengthens institutional cooperation between the two countries. Signed during the inaugural Saudi-Kenyan Political Consultations Committee in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia has launched a new Package Visa pilot program that allows eligible travellers to obtain a tourist visa as part of an integrated travel package, combining flights, accommodation, and visa application into a single booking. The pilot covers Egypt, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Mexico. The visa is issued within 48 hours and costs approximately SAR 402.21.

India has expanded its e-Visa program to citizens of 25 additional countries, effective 15 August 2026. The new cohort includes Kenya, Colombia, Serbia, Ecuador, Tanzania, and Guatemala. Travellers can now apply online for 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year tourist or business e-Visas. Processing time remains 3–5 working days.

India has officially launched the Digital e-OCI Card, replacing the physical OCI booklet for Overseas Citizens of India. The new fully online system allows applicants to submit forms, upload documents, pay fees, and download the digital card without physical paperwork. Over 50 lakh OCI cardholders will benefit from reduced paperwork, real-time verification at airports, and the convenience of carrying their OCI document on their mobile phones

Belarus has formally proposed launching direct flights with Indonesia and introducing a visa-free regime for Belarusian citizens, following high-level talks in Jakarta. Indonesia is considering exempting Belarusian citizens from visa requirements for stays of up to 30 days. Bilateral trade exceeded $600 million in 2025, with cooperation expanding in agriculture, education, and technology.

Thailand has tightened entry rules for Indian passport holders, prompting the Indian Embassy in Bangkok to issue an 11-point advisory. Key requirements include passport validity of at least 6 months, confirmed return tickets, hotel bookings, Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours, and minimum cash of THB 20,000 per person. Travellers using visa waiver or visa-on-arrival for employment face serious penalties.

Kuwait has enacted sweeping restrictions to its nationality laws, eliminating the naturalization pathway, tightening citizenship by paternal and maternal descent, and introducing new grounds for revocation. Kuwaiti women marrying foreigners will no longer lose their nationality. Fines for false statements rise to KWD 3,000–5,000. The changes mark one of the most restrictive overhauls in Kuwait's modern history.

Panama has eliminated the visa requirement for Dominican Republic passport holders, allowing visa-free entry for tourism and business purposes for up to 90 days per visit. The change, effective July 1, 2026, follows a review concluding that the previous consular visa requirement was no longer necessary on security or technical grounds.

Antigua and Barbuda could lose its visa-free access to the Schengen Area before the end of 2026, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned, as the European Union threatens to suspend the privilege over concerns about the country's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program. The program has generated over EC$1.4 billion since 2013. Browne rules out dismantling the CBI program to preserve Schengen access.

The Philippines has officially extended its 14-day visa-free entry program for Taiwan passport holders until June 30, 2027. The extension, announced by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), applies to tourism, business, and transit purposes. Travellers planning longer stays must apply for a visa in advance.

Armenia has officially extended its temporary visa exemption program for nationals of 111 countries until July 1, 2027. Eligible travellers holding residence permits from the US, EU Member States, Schengen Area, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Oman can enter visa-free for up to 180 days within a one-year period.

Kazakhstan and the European Union have successfully completed expert-level negotiations on draft Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation. The agreements are expected to shorten visa processing times, expand multiple-entry visas, and ease documentary requirements for Kazakh citizens. The Kazakh Foreign Ministry firmly denied reports of EU migrant relocation centers in Kazakhstan.

Saudi employers have only two days left to rectify foreign workers with expired permits. From July 1, 2026, Qiwa will automatically remove workers from company records if their work permits have been expired for more than three months. Employers remain liable for outstanding fees and fines. A worker is exempt if their Iqama has at least 180 days validity remaining.

The European Union has suspended multiple-entry visas for Somali nationals and extended processing times from 15 to 45 days, citing insufficient cooperation from Somalia on readmitting irregular migrants. Fee waivers for diplomatic and service passport holders have also been ended. The restrictions are described as temporary but with no set end date.

Kuwait has introduced major labour reforms allowing foreign workers to change employers before completing one year of service under specific conditions including salary non-payment, permit delays, employer misconduct, or malicious absconding reports. The changes provide greater worker mobility and stronger employer accountability.

India has implemented a major passport fee hike effective July 1, 2026. A standard 36-page adult passport now costs ₹2,500 (normal) and ₹5,000 (Tatkaal). The Ministry of External Affairs reiterates that a passport is a travel document only and not conclusive proof of citizenship. NRIs face higher fees at consulates abroad.

Saudi Arabia has officially launched the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) service for British citizens, effective July 1, 2026. The new system allows UK passport holders multiple visits to the Kingdom for tourism, business, and short-term study purposes without a traditional visa. Maximum stay is up to 180 days within a one-year period.

India has announced the resumption of tourist visa services for Bangladeshi nationals starting June 28, 2026, nearly two years after suspension amid political unrest. Applications will be accepted through five designated visa centres in Dhaka, with plans to expand to other cities. Medical visas will continue to be processed on humanitarian grounds.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a major policy shift requiring all Premium Residency Program (PRP) holders to obtain a separate work permit before commencing employment – a departure from previous rules. Applications must be submitted through the Qiwa platform. The change aims to strengthen labour market regulation while maintaining the attractiveness of the PRP for investors and skilled professionals.

Vietnam has mandated the use of organizational VNeID accounts for all eligible immigration procedures effective June 1, 2026. Applications for entry approval letters, visa extensions, work visas, exit visas, and Temporary Residence Cards (TRC) must now be submitted through the VNeID portal. The government is working on solutions to allow foreign nationals without TRC to register for VNeID.