5 Fresh Visa Updates: As the summer holiday excitement kicks in, here’s good news for travelers looking to explore Asian destinations this summer. While India offers many options, if you’re thinking about traveling abroad, here are some important updates on visa rules that will make your journey easier. These include longer visa-free stays and improved Schengen visa arrangements. Keep reading to stay informed and make better travel decisions.
Sri Lanka is still welcoming Indian visitors with open arms! They’ve extended their offer of visa-free entry until May 31, 2024. That means Indian travelers can enjoy a wonderful 30-day stay in Sri Lanka without worrying about visa fees. Just remember to apply for an e-visa through the official website before you go.
This initiative started as a trial in October and is a big part of Sri Lanka’s plan to boost tourism. Travelers from certain countries need to fill out visa applications online before they travel. This free visa lets you stay for 30 days, making it easy to explore and enjoy the beautiful island.
Thailand’s extended visa-free entry
Exciting news for Indian travelers! Thailand recently announced an extension to its visa-free entry period. Originally set until May 10, 2024, it’s now stretched until November 10, 2024. This means Indian passport holders can enjoy visa-free access for an extra six months. Plus, the stay allowance has doubled to a generous 30 days.
Multiple-entry Schengen visa for Indian travellers
Great news for Indian travelers! The European Commission has introduced a new rule for Schengen visas that benefits Indian nationals, especially those who have visited Schengen countries before. Now, Indians living in India can apply for long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas that are valid for two years. This change came into effect on April 18 under the new visa ‘cascade’ system. If you’ve used two visas lawfully in the past three years, you can now enjoy much easier travel. This includes the availability of six-month, two-year, and five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas, making travel simpler and strengthening ties between India and the Schengen countries.
Japan’s e-visa
Japan has introduced a new eVisa system designed specifically for Indian travelers, making it easier to visit the country. Starting from April, Indian citizens who meet certain requirements and foreigners living in India can apply for eVisas for short-term tourism activities through the application platform run by VFS Global. With this change, visas won’t be stamped as physical stickers in passports anymore. Instead, they’ll be issued digitally, allowing for single-entry stays of up to 90 days.
Dubai’s 5-year multiple-entry visa
In February, Dubai introduced a new visa plan just for Indian travelers. This program offers a five-year visa that allows multiple entries, meaning you can visit many times. Each visit can last up to 90 days. Plus, you can extend your stay once a year, up to 180 days, which is handy for both business and leisure trips. The visa lets you come and go as much as you want during the five years, giving you lots of freedom to explore Dubai.