Despite this (fresh) end of summer and the recent return to activity, many travelers are preparing to hit the road again, whether for business or off-season leisure.
However, some rules of the game have changed.
Travel formalities for a few destinations, often influenced by health and geopolitical policies, have recently undergone several adjustments.
Here is therefore a tour of the latest changes, restrictions, obligations and relaxations of travel that have come into force, so that you can plan your upcoming trips, or those of your clients, under the best possible conditions.
However, some rules of the game have changed.
Travel formalities for a few destinations, often influenced by health and geopolitical policies, have recently undergone several adjustments.
Here is therefore a tour of the latest changes, restrictions, obligations and relaxations of travel that have come into force, so that you can plan your upcoming trips, or those of your clients, under the best possible conditions.
ASIA : travel formalities are evolving in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, …
SRI LANKA : the e-Visa is suspended but a visa exemption announced for 38 countries
Since August 2, 2024, and a court ruling concerning the allegedly suspect management of the service, the e-Visa system has been suspended until further notice in Sri Lanka.
While awaiting a judicial resolution of this situation, travelers can obtain a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, and according to the latest authorities’ announcements, visitors from 38 countries, including France, Belgium, Canada and Switzerland, will benefit from visa exemption in the coming weeks.
Details are expected to be published starting October 8.
PAKISTAN : 126 countries benefit from free visa
Since August 14, tourists and business travelers from 126 countries obtain a free electronic visa valid for 3 months with multiple entries to Pakistan.
This e-Visa is issued in less than 24 hours and the application process is greatly simplified.
French, Belgian, Canadian and Swiss travelers are eligible for this new electronic visa.
THAILAND : ETA travel authorization on the horizon
VisasNews reveals exclusively: Thailand is preparing to introduce an electronic travel authorization “ETA.”
This travel formalité will apply to citizens of 93 visa-exempt countries and territories for 60 days and should be free.
A pilot launching phase is planned for December next, before a full rollout announced by June 2025.
INDONESIA : a health pass to counter the Mpox virus
The Mpox virus takes us back to the dark days of Covid, especially regarding travel…
Since August 27, all travelers departing for Indonesia must hold a health pass before heading to the archipelago.
Named “SATUSEHAT Health Pass,” this health form must be completed online on the portal: sshp.kemkes.go.id.
CHINA : no fingerprints for visa until end of 2025
Until then, this fingerprinting requirement is suspended through the end of the year; Chinese visa applicants will not have their fingerprints collected before 2026.
The Embassy of China in France announces that short-stay visa applicants (up to 180 days) with single or double entry are exempt from fingerprint collection until December 31, 2025.
ISRAEL : ETA-IL requirement postponed to 2025
While it was due to take effect on August 1, 2024, the ETA-IL electronic travel authorization will finally be required only from January 1, 2025.
Israeli authorities announced that the pilot phase of the ETA-IL travel authorization, launched last July, has been extended until December 31, 2024.
Visa-exempt travelers to Israel will be required to hold an ETA-IL only from January 1, 2025.
Since August 2, 2024, and a court ruling concerning the allegedly suspect management of the service, the e-Visa system has been suspended until further notice in Sri Lanka.
While awaiting a judicial resolution of this situation, travelers can obtain a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, and according to the latest authorities’ announcements, visitors from 38 countries, including France, Belgium, Canada and Switzerland, will benefit from visa exemption in the coming weeks.
Details are expected to be published starting October 8.
PAKISTAN : 126 countries benefit from free visa
Since August 14, tourists and business travelers from 126 countries obtain a free electronic visa valid for 3 months with multiple entries to Pakistan.
This e-Visa is issued in less than 24 hours and the application process is greatly simplified.
French, Belgian, Canadian and Swiss travelers are eligible for this new electronic visa.
THAILAND : ETA travel authorization on the horizon
VisasNews reveals exclusively: Thailand is preparing to introduce an electronic travel authorization “ETA.”
This travel formalité will apply to citizens of 93 visa-exempt countries and territories for 60 days and should be free.
A pilot launching phase is planned for December next, before a full rollout announced by June 2025.
INDONESIA : a health pass to counter the Mpox virus
The Mpox virus takes us back to the dark days of Covid, especially regarding travel…
Since August 27, all travelers departing for Indonesia must hold a health pass before heading to the archipelago.
Named “SATUSEHAT Health Pass,” this health form must be completed online on the portal: sshp.kemkes.go.id.
CHINA : no fingerprints for visa until end of 2025
Until then, this fingerprinting requirement is suspended through the end of the year; Chinese visa applicants will not have their fingerprints collected before 2026.
The Embassy of China in France announces that short-stay visa applicants (up to 180 days) with single or double entry are exempt from fingerprint collection until December 31, 2025.
ISRAEL : ETA-IL requirement postponed to 2025
While it was due to take effect on August 1, 2024, the ETA-IL electronic travel authorization will finally be required only from January 1, 2025.
Israeli authorities announced that the pilot phase of the ETA-IL travel authorization, launched last July, has been extended until December 31, 2024.
Visa-exempt travelers to Israel will be required to hold an ETA-IL only from January 1, 2025.
AFRICA : mandatory insurance, e-Visa and possible reintroduction of visa under the program
MADAGASCAR : the 90-day e-Visa is back
While it previously allowed only 60 consecutive days in Madagascar, the e-Visa now allows an extra 30 days to stay in the country.
Suspended when the service resumed after the pandemic, Madagascar’s 90-day electronic visa was reactivated in August. Its price is set at 50 € or 55 US$.
ZIMBABWE : the electronic visa on arrival also reactivated
After having been required to obtain a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe since last year, French travelers and citizens of 117 other countries can again apply for an e-Visa before departure.
Zimbabwe’s e-Visa portal has been revamped, and authorities have taken the opportunity to reinstate the electronic visa on arrival (e-Visa On Arrival) to simplify immigration formalities on arrival in the country.
Payable online, or on arrival in Zimbabwe, this e-Visa can be obtained in a matter of minutes.
TANZANIA : Zanzibar introduces mandatory insurance
From October 1 onward, visitors to Zanzibar will be required to hold mandatory insurance before traveling to the archipelago.
This requirement, which resembles more a stay tax and which concerns local tourism professionals, must be purchased through ZIC (Zanzibar Insurance Corporation) on the portal visitzanzibar.go.tz.
This insurance costs 44 US$, about 40 €, and covers solo travels up to 92 days per stay.
SÉNÉGAL : towards reintroducing visas for exempted countries ?
It has almost been 10 years since French and European tourists no longer need a visa to visit Senegal, but that could change soon…
Indeed, Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, Yacine Fall, stated earlier this week that it is “important that Senegal revisit the issue of free visas and that we try to implement a reciprocity policy”.
This measure is being considered by the Senegalese government and, if implemented, could impact many countries, including European nations.
While it previously allowed only 60 consecutive days in Madagascar, the e-Visa now allows an extra 30 days to stay in the country.
Suspended when the service resumed after the pandemic, Madagascar’s 90-day electronic visa was reactivated in August. Its price is set at 50 € or 55 US$.
ZIMBABWE : the electronic visa on arrival also reactivated
After having been required to obtain a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe since last year, French travelers and citizens of 117 other countries can again apply for an e-Visa before departure.
Zimbabwe’s e-Visa portal has been revamped, and authorities have taken the opportunity to reinstate the electronic visa on arrival (e-Visa On Arrival) to simplify immigration formalities on arrival in the country.
Payable online, or on arrival in Zimbabwe, this e-Visa can be obtained in a matter of minutes.
TANZANIA : Zanzibar introduces mandatory insurance
From October 1 onward, visitors to Zanzibar will be required to hold mandatory insurance before traveling to the archipelago.
This requirement, which resembles more a stay tax and which concerns local tourism professionals, must be purchased through ZIC (Zanzibar Insurance Corporation) on the portal visitzanzibar.go.tz.
This insurance costs 44 US$, about 40 €, and covers solo travels up to 92 days per stay.
SÉNÉGAL : towards reintroducing visas for exempted countries ?
It has almost been 10 years since French and European tourists no longer need a visa to visit Senegal, but that could change soon…
Indeed, Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, Yacine Fall, stated earlier this week that it is “important that Senegal revisit the issue of free visas and that we try to implement a reciprocity policy”.
This measure is being considered by the Senegalese government and, if implemented, could impact many countries, including European nations.
EUROPE : electronic travel authorization becomes widespread
UNITED KINGDOM : French and Europeans will need an ETA from 2025
A major and anticipated announcement for French and European tourists: the United Kingdom will require an electronic travel authorization ETA for its visa-exempt visitors starting in 2025.
The ETA will cost £10, about €12, and will be valid for 2 years, or until the passport expires if it has a shorter validity.
French and European tourists and business travelers will be able to apply for their ETA from March 5, 2025 on the GOV.UK portal or via the mobile app “UK ETA” on iOS and Android.
From April 2, 2025, presenting an ETA will be mandatory to enter the United Kingdom.
UKRAINE : an ETA in preparation
To secure its borders and strengthen control over the entry and exit of foreigners, Ukraine is also preparing an ETA.
Little information for now, but Ukrainian authorities are currently defining and approving a list of countries that will benefit from a visa-exemption regime for entering Ukraine, and whose citizens will have to submit “an electronic notification, in accordance with the established procedure, regarding their intention to enter Ukraine”.
CHANNEL ISLANDS : Jersey and Guernsey extend entry for French day-trippers with a national ID
Authorities in Jersey and Guernsey have decided to extend the measure allowing French day-trippers to enter with only a national ID card until the end of September 2025.
This program, which allowed French travelers to visit the two bailiwicks for a single day, without overnight stays, with just a national ID card, was originally set to end at the end of September.
The recent UK government’s announcement regarding the introduction of the ETA in April 2025 should normally prevent this program from ending in September 2025.
BELARUS : 35 European countries temporarily visa-exempt
European travelers from 35 countries no longer need a visa to enter Belarus by air or land.
This exceptional measure, which ends on December 31, 2024, allows stays of up to 30 days visa-free in the country and can be used an unlimited number of times but only within 90 days per calendar year.
A major and anticipated announcement for French and European tourists: the United Kingdom will require an electronic travel authorization ETA for its visa-exempt visitors starting in 2025.
The ETA will cost £10, about €12, and will be valid for 2 years, or until the passport expires if it has a shorter validity.
French and European tourists and business travelers will be able to apply for their ETA from March 5, 2025 on the GOV.UK portal or via the mobile app “UK ETA” on iOS and Android.
From April 2, 2025, presenting an ETA will be mandatory to enter the United Kingdom.
UKRAINE : an ETA in preparation
To secure its borders and strengthen control over the entry and exit of foreigners, Ukraine is also preparing an ETA.
Little information for now, but Ukrainian authorities are currently defining and approving a list of countries that will benefit from a visa-exemption regime for entering Ukraine, and whose citizens will have to submit “an electronic notification, in accordance with the established procedure, regarding their intention to enter Ukraine”.
CHANNEL ISLANDS : Jersey and Guernsey extend entry for French day-trippers with a national ID
Authorities in Jersey and Guernsey have decided to extend the measure allowing French day-trippers to enter with only a national ID card until the end of September 2025.
This program, which allowed French travelers to visit the two bailiwicks for a single day, without overnight stays, with just a national ID card, was originally set to end at the end of September.
The recent UK government’s announcement regarding the introduction of the ETA in April 2025 should normally prevent this program from ending in September 2025.
BELARUS : 35 European countries temporarily visa-exempt
European travelers from 35 countries no longer need a visa to enter Belarus by air or land.
This exceptional measure, which ends on December 31, 2024, allows stays of up to 30 days visa-free in the country and can be used an unlimited number of times but only within 90 days per calendar year.
AMERICA : the e-Visa is functional in Cuba
Announced last May to replace the tourist card, the electronic visa is now fully functional in Cuba
International travelers must now apply for their visa online on the evisacuba.cu portal. During the ordering process, it is necessary to select an embassy or consulate that will process the visa application and collect the e-Visa fees.
It is important to note that online payment by credit card is not possible. For residents of France, it is necessary to make a bank transfer or send a bank-certified check for the amount of 22 € to finalize the e-Visa application.
Some visa/vacation agencies, having a contract with a Cuban embassy, can issue e-Visas after online payment by credit card.
Travelers with a valid “Tarjeta del Turista” can still use it until the end of the year.
With the tourist card or the e-Visa in hand, it is essential to fill out the travel declaration “D’Viajeros” within 48 hours prior to departure, this step validating the electronic visa.
International travelers must now apply for their visa online on the evisacuba.cu portal. During the ordering process, it is necessary to select an embassy or consulate that will process the visa application and collect the e-Visa fees.
It is important to note that online payment by credit card is not possible. For residents of France, it is necessary to make a bank transfer or send a bank-certified check for the amount of 22 € to finalize the e-Visa application.
Some visa/vacation agencies, having a contract with a Cuban embassy, can issue e-Visas after online payment by credit card.
Travelers with a valid “Tarjeta del Turista” can still use it until the end of the year.
With the tourist card or the e-Visa in hand, it is essential to fill out the travel declaration “D’Viajeros” within 48 hours prior to departure, this step validating the electronic visa.
