Global visa policies for Indians in 2025–2026 are shifting in a largely positive direction, with several countries easing entry while tightening documentation and security standards where needed. Thailand and Malaysia now offer visa‑free entry for Indians through 2026, supported by mandatory digital arrival cards to streamline border checks. Cambodia has cut e‑visa fees and enhanced its online systems, making short trips more affordable and convenient.
At the same time, the US has standardised its “one free reschedule” rule for visa appointments from India, while Israel’s ETA‑IL system keeps short visits fully digital for visa‑exempt travellers. Security‑focused updates, such as Tunisia’s stricter passport requirement and Germany’s controlled but visa‑free airport transit for Indians, show how countries are balancing easier travel with better screening.
At the same time, the US has standardised its “one free reschedule” rule for visa appointments from India, while Israel’s ETA‑IL system keeps short visits fully digital for visa‑exempt travellers. Security‑focused updates, such as Tunisia’s stricter passport requirement and Germany’s controlled but visa‑free airport transit for Indians, show how countries are balancing easier travel with better screening.
Thai E-visa expansion
Latest Updates for 2026
- Visa‑free entry for Indian tourists up to 60 days continues and has been rolled forward to 31 December 2026.
- New Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is mandatory for almost all foreign travellers, including visa‑free Indian visitors, and must be filled online about 72 hours before arrival.
- Immigration has tightened checks on repeat visa‑free entries (e.g., multiple entries within 6 months); travellers doing frequent “visa runs” may face refusal of entry.
Update for 2025
Travelers from all around the world can apply for a Thai e-Visa via the official website, beginning on January 1, 2025. Although travelers have been able to use the Thai e-Visa system in a few places, this is a major development that enables applicants from anywhere in the globe to finish the entire procedure online.
Travelers will be fully covered by this global rollout, which will activate the electronic visa system (e-Visa) across all 94 Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General globally. The goal of the Thai e-Visa program is to streamline the visa application procedure and make it easier to use, more accessible, and more efficient.
Who benefits?
Travelers will be fully covered by this global rollout, which will activate the electronic visa system (e-Visa) across all 94 Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General globally. The goal of the Thai e-Visa program is to streamline the visa application procedure and make it easier to use, more accessible, and more efficient.
Who benefits?
- This new feature is beneficial for frequent visitors to Thailand.
- Indians will benefit from this e-visa update, as Thailand is a popular holiday and business destination.
What do you need to do?
- Fill out the online application form for e-visa through their official portal only.
- Submit all the required documents and pay the fee.
- Wait to get your approval mail on your registered email ID.
Cambodia Cuts Visa Fees
Latest Update 2026
Cambodia has introduced/expanded a digital e‑Arrival system that many travellers must complete online before arrival, further streamlining entry formalities.
Update 2025
With effect from January 1, 2025, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) decided to lower the cost of e-visas for tourists, business travelers, and regular people.
According to an RGC press release, the RGC has thus directed pertinent ministries and institutions to improve and streamline the processes for granting e-Visas and e-Arrival visas inside the Royal Government's single ecosystem.
The new fees for e-visa for Cambodia are:-
- e-Visa T reduced from $36 to $30
- e-Visa E reduced from $42 to $35
“The government consistently prioritizes the promotion of the tourism sector, and the e-Visas discount is intended to facilitate travel for tourists,” said Tob Sopheak, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism (MoT)
Who Benefits?
According to an RGC press release, the RGC has thus directed pertinent ministries and institutions to improve and streamline the processes for granting e-Visas and e-Arrival visas inside the Royal Government's single ecosystem.
The new fees for e-visa for Cambodia are:-
- e-Visa T reduced from $36 to $30
- e-Visa E reduced from $42 to $35
“The government consistently prioritizes the promotion of the tourism sector, and the e-Visas discount is intended to facilitate travel for tourists,” said Tob Sopheak, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism (MoT)
Who Benefits?
- Tourists who are budget travellers are most likely to benefit from this scheme, attracting more crowds to Cambodia.
- People who frequently visit Cambodia for business purposes.
What Do You Need to Do?
- Apply online for an e-visa or at the Cambodian embassies for a more authentic experience.
US Visa Changes
Latest Update 2026
- From December 15, 2025, new social‑media/online‑presence vetting rules have led to mass rescheduling of many H‑1B/H‑4 appointments into 2026, causing longer wait times and more cancellations by consulates.
- Rescheduling options in 2026 are more restricted for some categories (especially if MRV fee receipts are older than one year), so applicants must plan dates carefully.
Update 2025
Significant changes to its visa appointment rescheduling procedures have been announced by the US Embassy in India in an effort to increase equity and shorten application wait times.
The new rule was rolled out on January 1, 2025, according to an Instagram post made by the Embassy on their official account.
The announcement stated that U.S. visa applicants will be permitted to postpone their visa interview appointments once at no extra expense. They will have to schedule a new appointment and pay the application fees again, though, if they have to reschedule or miss their postponed appointment.
The Embassy stressed that applicants for first-time nonimmigrant visas will still be able to choose where they want to have their initial appointments. However, there may be extra costs if you need to reschedule more than the one allowed instance.
The action is intended to reduce the high wait times one has to spend for visa appointments, which have been a recurring issue for Indian applicants.
Who Benefits?
The new rule was rolled out on January 1, 2025, according to an Instagram post made by the Embassy on their official account.
The announcement stated that U.S. visa applicants will be permitted to postpone their visa interview appointments once at no extra expense. They will have to schedule a new appointment and pay the application fees again, though, if they have to reschedule or miss their postponed appointment.
The Embassy stressed that applicants for first-time nonimmigrant visas will still be able to choose where they want to have their initial appointments. However, there may be extra costs if you need to reschedule more than the one allowed instance.
The action is intended to reduce the high wait times one has to spend for visa appointments, which have been a recurring issue for Indian applicants.
Who Benefits?
- All types of travellers are benefited from this new change, including students, businessmen and
tourists alike.
What Do You Need to Do?
What Do You Need to Do?
- This new feature only applies to already existing appointments, the rest of the process is the same as before.
- It is recommended that applicants for visas carefully consider the dates they can attend and steer clear of needless cancellations or no-shows, as these might cause the process to drag on.
Malaysia Visa Free Entry till December 2026
Latest Update 2026
Malaysia has extended visa‑free entry for Indian nationals until 31 December 2026, allowing Indians to visit without a visa for short stays. Under this scheme, Indian travellers can stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days per entry for tourism, leisure, family visits or short business trips, with no extension under the waiver. A key process requirement is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), which must be completed online prior to arrival.
Who benefits?
Who benefits?
- Indian tourists planning holidays in Malaysia.
- Short‑term business and family visitors from India.
What do you need to do?
- Complete the MDAC form online within the specified window (generally within 3 days before arrival).
- Ensure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity, carry return/onward tickets and proof of sufficient funds.
- Apply for a separate visa if travelling for employment, long‑term study or long stays beyond 30 days.
Germany Transit Visa Free For Indians
Latest Update 2026
From January 2026, Germany has granted visa‑free airport transit for Indian passport holders on eligible itineraries, removing the need for a separate Airport Transit Visa (ATV) in many cases. Indian travellers can now transit through major German airports like Frankfurt and Munich without a transit visa if they remain in the international transit area and continue to a non‑Schengen destination on a confirmed onward ticket.
Who benefits?
Indian passengers use Germany as a transit hub on long‑haul routes to North America, South America, Africa or other regions.
What do you need to do?
Who benefits?
Indian passengers use Germany as a transit hub on long‑haul routes to North America, South America, Africa or other regions.
What do you need to do?
- Ensure your itinerary keeps you airside in the international transit zone and you are not entering Germany or the Schengen area.
- Carry a valid passport, confirmed onward ticket and required documents/visas for your final destination.
Israel's ETA-IL System
Update 2025
Israel's travel regulations have altered. Beginning in January 2025, travelers from nations that do not require a visa must get an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) in order to enter the state of Israel. You are permitted to enter Israel and remain there for a maximum of 90 days on each visit if your ETA-IL has been approved.
Before departing for Israel, all visitors must have a current visa or an ETA-IL permission. Getting an ETA-IL is a quicker and easier process if all your documents are updated.
Note: An ETA-IL application is not required for Israeli nationals or those who possess an Israeli identity number.
Who Benefits?
Before departing for Israel, all visitors must have a current visa or an ETA-IL permission. Getting an ETA-IL is a quicker and easier process if all your documents are updated.
Note: An ETA-IL application is not required for Israeli nationals or those who possess an Israeli identity number.
Who Benefits?
- Travellers who are from Visa-free countries benefit from this new feature, as it would not be necessary to fill traditional visa applications to enter Israel on short trips.
What Do You Need to Do?
- Find your country’s name in the Visa-Free list, and if your country is on the list, then go on the online portal and apply for ETA for hassle-free travel.
- Remember to submit your ETA application 72 hours before your travel date, for it to get approved.
Philippines New Visa Policy
Update 2025
To increase tourism, particularly for Indian tourists, the Philippines recently made a significant announcement. For Indian passport holders, the nation has introduced fully digital e-Visas and visa-free entry possibilities. In addition to streamlining the visa application procedure, this important measure increases the island's accessibility for Indian tourists, business travelers, and visitors. Read more in detail about this new policy.
Who Affected?
Indian national traveling solely for vacation purpose to the Philippines.
What Do You Need to Do?
Who Affected?
Indian national traveling solely for vacation purpose to the Philippines.
What Do You Need to Do?
- Find your country’s name in the Visa-Free list, and if your country is on the list, then go on the online portal to apply.
- Submit all the required documents as asked by the authorities
Tunisia's New Passport Rules
Update 2025
All foreign visitors to Tunisia must have a passport that is valid for more than three months as of January 1, 2025.
French diplomacy and the Tunisian Embassy in France have confirmed this new rule, which represents a major shift in the entry requirements for foreign visitors, especially for citizens of some nations who were previously permitted to enter the country using their national identity card (CNI).
Until now, European nationals could enter Tunisia without a passport as long as they were participating in a planned tour or using an authorized travel agency.
Whether they are visiting Tunisia for business, pleasure, or family, visitors must now make sure their passports are valid for at least three months before making travel plans. This modification ends an exception that had existed for a number of years.
Who Affected?
French diplomacy and the Tunisian Embassy in France have confirmed this new rule, which represents a major shift in the entry requirements for foreign visitors, especially for citizens of some nations who were previously permitted to enter the country using their national identity card (CNI).
Until now, European nationals could enter Tunisia without a passport as long as they were participating in a planned tour or using an authorized travel agency.
Whether they are visiting Tunisia for business, pleasure, or family, visitors must now make sure their passports are valid for at least three months before making travel plans. This modification ends an exception that had existed for a number of years.
Who Affected?
- Europeans are most likely to be affected by this new rule, as they now have to carry their valid passports with them to enter Tunisia.
- However, this rule will increase Tunisia’s security and enhance its international presence among other travellers from different countries.
What Do You Need to Do?
- Firstly check your passport's expiration date beforehand.
- Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of three months from the date of your travel.
- If your passport is not valid, apply for an advance renewal, so you have a hassle-free experience in entering the country.
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