Visa News
Latest updates on visa policies, processing times, and embassy announcements. We monitor official government sources and publish updates within 48 hours of confirmed policy changes across all covered destinations including the Schengen area, UK, US, Canada, Australia, and more.
32 articles published
EES This Autumn: Half Term, Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Schengen Border
The summer flexibility that let Schengen borders pause biometric checks ended on 7 September 2026. Here is what that means for the October half term, Thanksgiving week and Christmas: what happens on your first crossing, what is stored, how the Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel checks work, what to do with children, and why the 90/180-day count is now automatic.
F-1 and J-1 Students: What the End of "Duration of Status" Means From 15 September 2026
From 15 September 2026, DHS admits F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors for a fixed period tied to the programme end date and capped at four years, with extensions filed through USCIS on Form I-539. Here is what changes, what the transition means for students already in the US, and where the $100,000 H-1B fee stands after the courts.
Do You Need JESTA for Japan This Autumn? Not Until 2028 - the Fee Rise and Departure Tax You Do Need to Know
JESTA, Japan's planned electronic travel authorisation, became law on 29 May 2026 but is not due to start until fiscal year 2028. Americans, Britons, Canadians and Australians still enter visa-free for 90 days this autumn. What has changed is the money: visa fees for nationals who need one rose fivefold on 1 July 2026, and the departure tax is now JPY 3,000 on most tickets.
Thailand Visa-Free Drops to 30 Days on 15 September 2026: What Changes for Indian, British, American, Australian and Filipino Travellers
Thailand's 60-day visa exemption ends on 15 September 2026. Sixty nationalities, including India, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and the Philippines, drop to 30 days; 21 countries lose the exemption altogether; land-border entries are capped at two a year. Here is what each passport needs to know, and when a Tourist Visa is the better option.
UK Graduate Visa Drops to 18 Months on 1 January 2027: What to Do Before 31 December
Graduate visa applications made on or after 1 January 2027 get 18 months instead of two years (PhDs keep three). For students finishing courses in autumn 2026, the date your university reports your completion - not your course end date - decides which rule you fall under. Here is how to plan the final quarter of 2026.
The $750 Expedited US Visa Interview: Which Posts, and Is India, Nigeria or Brazil Included?
The State Department's $750 expedited B-1/B-2 appointment pilot runs from 1 July to 31 December 2026 at a short list of posts in Mexico, Canada and Central America. India, Nigeria and Brazil are not on it. Here is what the fee buys, what it does not, and who can realistically use it.
Visa Changes August 2026: US Visa Bond Made Permanent, Birth-Tourism Order, $103,265 H-1B Fee Proposed
The US visa bond did not lapse on 5 August - a final rule made it permanent three days earlier and raised the amounts to $10,000-$20,000. A new executive order targets birth tourism, DHS proposes a $103,265 fee on H-1B cap petitions, and ETIAS has now run out of runway for a 2026 start.
EES Airport Queues in Summer 2026: What to Expect and How to Get Through Faster
Summer 2026 is the first peak travel season under full Entry/Exit System enforcement, and industry bodies report border waits of up to five hours at the worst-hit Schengen entry points. Here is what is actually causing the queues, who is affected, and the practical steps that cut your time at the border.
Do You Need ETIAS for Europe This Christmas? No - What Americans, Brits, Canadians and Australians Need Instead, and Where the 2027 Timeline Stands
ETIAS will not be running for Christmas or New Year 2026. eu-LISA, the agency building it, concluded in June that a launch this year was no longer achievable, the EU has promised at least six months notice of any start date, and no date has been named. Here is what is confirmed, what is still only reported, what you actually need at the border this winter, and how to spot the sites selling "ETIAS applications" that do not exist.
F-1 Visa Slots for Fall 2026 in India: The Mid-July Decision Point
Indian students with September 2026 US admits face a tight interview-slot market. Reporting describes 300,000+ applicants pursuing roughly 90,000 slots, with batches released through July and August. Here is the mid-July decision framework, slot-hunting hygiene, and what to do if the visa comes late.
Georgia Now Requires Travel Insurance for Every Tourist: The 2026 Rules
Since 1 January 2026, every tourist entering Georgia (the country) must hold health and accident insurance covering at least 30,000 GEL (~$11,000) for their entire stay - including visa-free visitors. Here is what qualifies, who is exempt, and how the rule is being enforced.
Japan Visa Fees Increased 5x on 1 July 2026: New Costs for Every Applicant
Japan has raised its visa issuance fees for the first time in 48 years. From 1 July 2026, a single-entry visa costs ¥15,000 (up from ¥3,000) and a multiple-entry visa ¥30,000 (up from ¥6,000). Indian applicants are a notable exception - the Embassy of Japan in India has kept the concessional INR 500 fee. Here is what the fivefold increase means for Chinese, Filipino, Nigerian, Vietnamese, and other applicants.
UAE Visa on Arrival for Filipinos, Indonesians, Vietnamese, Thais, Kenyans and South Africans - But Only With a Western Residence Permit
From 25 June 2026, the UAE grants visa on arrival to nationals of the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Kenya, and South Africa - but only if they hold a valid residence permit from the US, an EU state, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada. Without one, a pre-arranged visa is still required.
Visa Changes July 2026: EES Summer Queues, ETIAS Delay Reports, Japan Visa Fees Rise Fivefold
Europe's first peak summer under the fully operational Entry/Exit System brings border waits of up to five hours, reports say ETIAS may slip to 2027, Japan raises visa fees fivefold from 1 July, the US visa bond pilot approaches its 5 August end date, and the UAE opens visa on arrival to six more nationalities - with a big condition.
Visa Changes June 2026: India EB Green Cards Retrogress, Makkah Reopens, $250 US Fee Still Not Collected
The June 2026 US Visa Bulletin retrogresses India employment categories and exhausts the EB-2 annual limit, Saudi Arabia reopens Makkah and resumes Umrah after Hajj, the $250 US Visa Integrity Fee still is not being collected, and ETIAS remains on track for Q4 2026 with no firm date.
Visa Changes May 2026: Dubai Investor Visa, Hajj Restrictions, US Asylum Fees & ETIAS Confirmed
Quieter than spring, but four stories matter this month. Dubai scrapped its AED 750,000 property-visa floor, Saudi Arabia closed Makkah to non-Hajj visa holders, the EU confirmed a EUR 20 ETIAS fee, and new US asylum fee provisions take effect 29 May.
EES 6 Months In: What UK and US Travellers Are Actually Experiencing at EU Borders
The EU Entry/Exit System became fully operational on 10 April 2026. Six months after rollout began, here is what British and American travellers are actually encountering at Schengen borders: the queues, the kiosk failures, the short-lived Greece exemption, and practical advice for your next trip.
Visa Changes Spring 2026: UK eVisas, EES Launch, Fee Increases & Travel Ban
The biggest quarter for visa policy in years. The UK scrapped physical visa stickers, the EU launched its Entry/Exit System, UK fees rose 6-7%, and the US expanded its travel ban to 39 countries. Here is everything that changed.
Best Travel Card for International Trips: Multi-Currency Accounts (2026)
Why a multi-currency debit card saves you money when travelling internationally. Compare bank cards vs Wise for spending in Europe, the UK, US, and beyond.
US Visa Bond: Now Permanent, $10,000–$20,000
The US visa bond stopped being a pilot on 3 August 2026. A State Department final rule made the program permanent and raised the amounts to $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000. Here is what changed, who is affected, how the bond works, and what you can do.
Italy Citizenship Law 2026: New Restrictions Explained
Italy's Constitutional Court has upheld Law 74/2025, ending unlimited generational claims to Italian citizenship by descent. Here is what changed, who is affected, the key deadlines you need to know, and what alternative pathways remain for those who have lost eligibility.
Japan Visa Changes: March 2026 Updates
Important updates to Japan visa application processes and travel taxes taking effect in March 2026, including new appointment mandates and the Kyoto lodging tax.
ETIAS 2026: €20 Fee, Who Needs It & How to Apply
The EU ETIAS travel authorisation system is targeted for Q4 2026. Here is what visa-exempt travellers need to know about the new pre-travel authorisation requirement.
Canada Visa Fees 2026: Total Cost (It's More Than CAD 100)
Canada visa fees: CAD 100 visitor visa, CAD 7 eTA, CAD 85 biometrics, plus VFS charges. Family caps and real total cost explained.
Canada Visa Processing Times 2026: How Long to Wait?
Current Canada visitor visa processing times for 2026 by country.
Schengen Visa Fees 2026: The Real Cost Beyond €90
Full Schengen visa cost breakdown: €90 adult fee, €45 children, VFS/TLS service charges, and the hidden costs most applicants miss.
UK Visa Fees 2026: What You'll Actually Pay (Full Breakdown)
UK visa fees broken down: £135 (6-month visitor), £506 (2-year), £903 (5-year). Priority from £500. Plus VFS charges and hidden costs.
UK Visa Processing Times 2026: Standard vs Priority vs Super Priority
Current UK visa processing times for 2026 and how to expedite your application.
US Visa Fees 2026: Full Cost Breakdown ($185 Is Just the Start)
US visa fee breakdown: $185 B1/B2, $350 SEVIS for students, plus how reciprocity issuance fees work. New $250 integrity fee update.
US Visa Processing Times 2026: How Long You'll Actually Wait
Current US visa interview wait times and processing times for 2026.
UK Dual Citizen Entry Rules: Feb 2026 Changes
British and Irish dual citizens living abroad face significant changes to UK entry requirements from 25 February 2026. Here's what you need to know about the new ETA enforcement rules.
Schengen Visa Processing Times 2026: Fastest vs Slowest Embassies
An overview of current Schengen visa processing times across different countries and tips for faster processing.