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.