Category: Asia Pacific

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

China Announces Visa-Free Travel to 5 EU Countries

China is set to open its doors to citizens from five European nations, granting them visa-free access starting December 1, 2023, until November 30, 2024. In a bid to boost business and tourism, China plans to grant visa-free access to travellers with passports from five EU countries namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.…
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Japan and UK Expands Working Holiday Scheme

The governments of Japan and the United Kingdom (UK) have confirmed an agreement to expand their respective working holiday schemes. The deal was announced as UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met with Japanese officials at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, ahead of the G7 meeting in the city. Under this…
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Russian Visitors Granted 90 Days Visa-Free In Thailand

From November 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024, Thailand will grant Russian tourists a 90-day visa-free stay, an extension from the previous 30-day limit. The move comes as tourists from the country have had increasingly few options for travel, given Moscow’s war on Ukraine, the impact of sanctions, travel restrictions, and a weakening ruble. Thailand’s…
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Japan Takes StepsTo Counter Over Tourism

As foreign visitors return in droves following the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan has outlined new plans to counter problems associated with overtourism. Recognising the pressing need to address the adverse effects of large-scale tourism, officials revealed countermeasure plans which include a  strengthening infrastructure in order to welcome tourists and better cope with overcrowding in popular cities. …
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UK Launches Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) System for Qatari Travellers

The UK government has committed to completing the digitisation of its borders by 2025. The UK has launched the ETA system, an electronic travel authorisation system meant to ease the admission process for visa-free travellers from diverse countries. The implementation of this system will take place in stages, with different nationalities targeted. The system is…
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