South Asia
India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and more
Countries
Latest Updates
Sri Lankan nomads could gain 30-day Thailand visits under approved proposal
Sri Lankan nomads taking tourist trips could gain 30-day Thailand visits under a Cabinet-approved waiver proposal, but no start date is announced.
Nepal merchants started accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay Oct. 2
NIC Asia Bank integrated Apple Pay and Google Pay into its CyberSource gateway Oct. 2. Digital nomads and travelers can now pay online for Nepal travel services.
Maldives postpones 17% tax for offshore booking platforms until April 1
The Maldives postponed a 17% tourism tax on offshore booking platforms until April 1. Digital nomads and travelers will avoid price hikes during peak season.
Bank of Maldives capped monthly ATM dollar withdrawals at $3,500 Oct. 1
Bank of Maldives capped monthly ATM dollar withdrawals at $3,500 on Oct. 1 while keeping the $1,600 daily limit for digital nomads and foreign residents.
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 requires NADRA-linked vaccination proof for Hajj and Umrah departures from Sept. 14
Pakistan now requires NADRA-linked vaccination proof from Hajj and Umrah pilgrims departing the country, while the polio dose rule for residents and long-stay visitors still applies. Travelers needing a dose at an airport dispensary must arrive at least six 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 where foreign passport holders can fill out mandatory arrival and departure cards before travel. Paper cards remain available at airport immigration desks and no cutoff date has been announced.
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.
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 drafts Visa Policy 2026 with 34 visa categories
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.