New offerings from sherpa in July 2025
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria eVisa: Single-entry eVisas now available through sherpa for select nationalities, including US and UK citizens, with additional nationalities coming soon.
- 🇮🇳 India eVisa: Kuwait nationals, newly eligible from July, can apply through sherpa for Business and Tourism eVisas (30-day, 1-year, and 5-year options).
- 🇨🇺 Cuba eVisa: US nationals can apply through sherpa following Cuba's mandatory eVisa requirement from July 1.
Electronic visa and border system updates
- 🇪🇺 European Union:
- EES: The Entry/Exit System (biometric border control system) will begin a progressive rollout on October 12, 2025, and will be fully operational across all external borders by April 10, 2026.
- ETIAS: The upcoming travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors will cost EUR 20 (increased from EUR 7) when it launches in Q4 2026, with officials citing inflation and operational costs for the increase.
- 🇨🇦 Canada is proposing amendments to require biometric data (potentially including passport and/or photo uploads) for eTA applications, following similar requirements in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. A timeline has not been announced.
- 🇲🇽 Mexico announced it is developing an eVisa system expected to launch in January 2026. The system will initially cover tourist visas for visa-required nationals arriving by air.
New visa exemptions and policy changes
- 🇦🇷🇺🇸 Argentina-United States: The two countries signed a statement of intent to work toward Argentina rejoining the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), though the process will take time.
- 🇦🇷 Argentina announced that Chinese and Dominican nationals with valid US visas can enter visa-free for tourism stays up to 30 days, effective July 22, 2025.
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia exempted nationals of Brazil and Türkiye for stays up to 30 days.
- 🇰🇪 Kenya exempted nationals from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, DR Congo, Tanzania, and 59 other countries from requiring a visa, with stays ranging from 90 to 180 days.
- 🇷🇺 Russia announced it will extend eVisa validity from 60 to 120 days and increase permitted stays from 16 to 30 days, effective August 23, 2025.
- 🇷🇺🇴🇲 Russia-Oman: The two countries implemented mutual visa-free travel for 30 days, effective July 18, 2025.
