South Asia
India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and more
Countries
Latest Updates
Bangladesh restricts visa extension filings to a 14 day window before expiration
Bangladesh now limits visa extension filings to the 14 days before expiry. Foreign residents and digital nomads remain lawful while applications are processed.
30-day visa-free travel approved between Belarus and Maldives
Belarus and the Maldives signed a visa waiver agreement on Sept. 23. Travelers and digital nomads will get 30-day visa-free entry with a 90-day annual cap.
India replaces printed OCI booklets with digital cards Sept. 22
Overseas Citizen of India cardholders can now present digital e-OCI cards on mobile devices and update passport details online without ordering physical booklets.
Free India e-Tourist visas for Thai citizens now available through Dec. 31
India has waived the 30 day e-Tourist visa fee for Thai travelers and digital nomads through Dec. 31. Applicants must still obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization.
Nepal targets digital passport validation in Sept. 17 draft proposal
Nepal's Department of Immigration submitted a draft proposal Sept. 17 to allow travelers and digital nomads to use a mobile app for passport verification.
Pakistan enforces Rs 100 NADRA polio card for all departures starting Sept. 14
Pakistan's Border and Airport Health Departments now require all passengers departing internationally to hold a NADRA-linked vaccination certificate. Travelers needing on-site vaccination at designated airport dispensaries must arrive at least 6 hours before departure.
Sri Lankan passport holders must obtain Thailand e-visas from Sept. 15, 2026
Sri Lankan citizens will no longer have visa-free access to Thailand starting Sept. 15, requiring them to obtain a visa before departure. The Thai government revoked the privilege following law enforcement concerns, though bilateral talks are planned to negotiate future access.
Nepal Electronic Travel Authorization cuts 2 hour airport queues
Nepal has fully implemented its Electronic Travel Authorization system for travelers eligible for visa-on-arrival. While optional, obtaining the pre-travel ETA speeds up entry processing for stays of up to 90 days.
Irish citizens now pay 34 euros for Pakistan tourist visas
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs published an updated visa fee schedule for Irish citizens under its revised visa framework. The changes establish new rates across tourist, business, and transit visa categories for short and long-term stays. Irish travelers and expats should review the updated pricing before submitting entry applications.
India ends boarding pass stamps at all international airports Sept. 1
The Bureau of Immigration will no longer require physical immigration stamps on boarding passes for international departures starting Sept. 1. Departing travelers and digital nomads can use digital e-boarding passes on smartphones to clear airport exit controls.
India raises 5-year e-Tourist Visa fees to $200 for standard travelers
India has increased the government fee for its 5-year multiple-entry e-Tourist Visa. The cost hike directly impacts remote workers, expats, and frequent travelers who rely on long-validity visitor visas for regular access to the country.
Bangladesh police launched the online ED Card system for foreign travelers Aug. 19
Bangladesh's Special Branch has launched an online portal allowing foreign passport holders to fill out mandatory arrival and departure cards before travel. The digital system aims to speed up border control and airport clearance for incoming and outgoing international travelers and expats. Physical paper cards will be phased out as digital processing takes precedence at international checkpoints.
India mandates 72 hour e-Arrival Card filings for all foreign nationals
All foreign nationals, including digital nomads and business travelers, must now complete a digital arrival card at least 72 hours before flying to India. This requirement is mandatory in addition to holding a valid visa or OCI card for entry.
Sri Lanka dengue cases top 70,000 as tourists face exit bans after accidents
German authorities updated safety advice for Sri Lanka, highlighting a significant dengue outbreak that may overwhelm local hospitals. Travelers are cautioned against renting vehicles without local drivers due to the risk of lengthy exit bans following traffic accidents.
US lowers Bangladesh travel advisory to Level 2 as entry rules remain the same
The U.S. Department of State has downgraded its travel advisory for Bangladesh from 'Reconsider Travel' to 'Exercise Increased Caution.' While this eases travel justification for expats and nomads, the embassy still warns against visiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts and border regions due to security risks.
Bangladesh restores Israel travel ban text on all new passports
Bangladesh has reinstated the 'except for Israel' clause on its travel documents, reversing a previous move to modernize passport imagery. While this does not change entry rules for most foreign visitors, it restricts the mobility of dual citizens and residents using Bangladeshi travel documents.
Sri Lanka scraps the $50 tourist ETA fee for Spanish citizens
Spanish citizens can now obtain a free 30-day double-entry electronic tourist visa for Sri Lanka. Authorities warn that working on a tourist visa or overstaying can result in jail time, a critical reminder for digital nomads using tourist status.
Bangladesh consolidates visa rules into 34 categories under Visa Policy 2026
The Bangladeshi government is developing a new visa framework designed to modernize immigration systems and ease entry and exit for foreigners. The policy aims to promote tourism and foreign investment by simplifying the application process for expats and long-term travelers.
India resumes tourist visa processing at 5 centers in Bangladesh
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is increasing staff and operational capacity at multiple visa application centers. This expansion improves access for expats and foreigners in Bangladesh who require Indian visas for regional travel, medical visits, or visa runs.
flydubai starts direct Nepal flights to Pokhara on Sept. 23
A new international gateway in Pokhara will allow travelers and expats to reach central Nepal directly from Dubai. This route bypasses the mandatory transit through Kathmandu, significantly reducing travel time to the Annapurna region.