Page 3 - Visa

China extends visa-free entry to 74 countries to draw more tourists

Foreign tourists are trickling back to China after the country loosened its visa policy to unprecedented levels. Citizens from 74 countries can now enter China for up to 30 days without a visa, a big jump from previous regulations. The government has been steadily expanding visa-free entry in a bid to boost tourism, the economy and its soft power. More than 20 million foreign visitors entered without a visa in 2024 almost one-third of the total and more than double from the previous year, according to the National Immigration Administration. This really helps people to travel because it is such a hassle to apply for a visa and go through the process, Georgi Shavadze, a Georgian living in Austria, said on a recent visit to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. While most tourist sites are still packed with far more domestic tourists than foreigners, travel companies and tour guides are now bracing for a bigger influx in anticipation of summer holiday goers coming to China. I'm practical

Stablecoins challenge Visa and Mastercard as digital payment shifts grow

Still, displacing card networks won't be easy, especially in the US, where consumers are used to rewards, fraud protection and credit access - perks not easily replaced

Visa queries jump as Wimbledon, F1 power global sports tourism: Atlys

Sports events like Wimbledon and Formula 1 are driving a sharp rise in international visa searches as fans build entire travel plans around global sporting fixtures

New Zealand launches 10-year parent visa: What it is and what it means for Indians | Immigration

New Zealand is set to roll out a “Parent Boost” visa from September 29, 2025, offering multi-entry stays for up to 10 years to parents of citizens and residents.

Southeast Asia courts Indian travellers with easier visas, flight deals

While Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia remain the top destinations in terms of passenger seat capacity in flights, Vietnam has emerged as the biggest gainer

Europe vacay? Malta, Belgium among top 10 rejectors for Schengen visa

With Schengen visa rejections on the rise, know the latest trends and which countries offer the best chances for approval.

France mandates online booking for visa appointments. Know all about it

France has made online appointments mandatory for all visa types. Here's a simple guide to navigating the new process, from booking to budgeting for your next trip.

Statsguru: Why foreign students are 'golden goose' for the US economy

Can the US afford to drive away its international students? It can't, suggest data

No visa hassles: Top countries Indians can visit with ease in 2025

More than 100 countries offer visa-free, e-Visa, or visa-on-arrival access for Indian passport holders

Reserve Bank of India lens on payment fintechs over misclassified merchants

Several payment aggregators are said to have misclassified merchants, typically in the retail category, under utility - a segment that traditionally draws lower interchange rates

New US visa policy adds to rising scrutiny of international students

New US State Department guidance on visa applications is adding to scrutiny of international students that has intensified under President Donald Trump, who has leveraged control of foreign enrolment to press his demands with American colleges. In a cable sent Tuesday to US embassies and consulates, Secretary of State Marco Rubio halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students until the department releases guidelines for increased vetting of their activity on social media. Existing appointments may be kept and will proceed under current review guidelines, the cable said, but new guidance is expected in the coming days. It came days after the Trump administration moved to block Harvard University from enrolling any international students, a decision that has been put on hold by a federal judge, pending a lawsuit. Trump said on Wednesday that Harvard, whose current student population is made up of more than a quarter of international students, should limit tha

US pauses student visa interviews for social media vetting: What it means | US Visa | Trump

The Trump administration has paused all new visa interviews for foreign students until their social media accounts undergo a vetting process. Watch the video to understand what it means.

Philippines to now allow visa-free entry to Indians: All you need to know

The 14-day visa-free entry may be extended by an additional seven days for a maximum of 21 days stay, the embassy said

Trump admin considers social media vetting for international student visas

To prepare for this new requirement, the administration has directed US embassies and consular offices to halt scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants

Canada cuts Indian student visas by 31% as new immigration rules hit

Indian student visas to Canada drop 31% in early 2025 as new immigration rules, higher financial requirements, and stricter checks come into effect

India-Pak tension cause 42% drop in Visa demand for Turkey, Baku:Atlys Data

Backlash against the two countries for supporting Pakistan during Operation Sindoor

British govt proposes tightening visa rules to reduce legal migration

The measures - outlined in the Immigration White Paper that will be released Monday - propose new graduate level requirements for skilled visa applicants and limits on lower-skilled visas

India suspends Indus pact, scraps Pak visas over Valley terror attack

Shuts Attari border, downgrades diplomatic ties; all-party meet on Thursday

Indians worst hit by US student visa cancellations, shows AILA data

Trump administration has revoked visas of over 1,000 students since March

China issues over 85,000 visas to Indians in 2025 after easing rules

'Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China,' says Chinese Ambassador