Electronic visa and border system updates

• 🇬🇧 The United Kingdom announced the ETA fee will increase from £16 to £20 on April 8, 2026. Travelers can apply now at the current rate before the increase takes effect. Additionally, UK Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) will require a UK ETA from April 9.
• 🇨🇳 China published an entry requirements framework referencing plans to pilot an eVisa system, increase existing digital arrival card adoption, and continue expanding its visa-free policy. No timelines were provided.
• 🇨🇦 Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) opened a U.S. CBP Preclearance facility, allowing U.S.-bound passengers to complete customs and immigration inspections before departure.
• 🌐 ICAO upgraded the Public Key Directory (the system airlines use to verify chip-enabled passports, extending it to support eVisas and digital health certificates. A formal airline and airport access program is scheduled for September 2026.

Mandatory digital arrival cards

• 🇮🇳 India's digital arrival card becomes mandatory on April 1, 2026, permanently replacing the paper form. Travelers must complete the digital form within 72 hours of arrival in addition to any visa requirements.
• 🇬🇩 Grenada launched a mandatory digital arrival card. Travelers must complete the form online within 72 hours of arrival.
• 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago launched a mandatory digital arrival and departure card. Travelers must complete the form online within 72 hours of arrival.
• 🇵🇰 Pakistan launched a mandatory digital arrival card for visa-required nationals. The form must be completed through the PakID app.

Dual nationals and travel document requirements

• 🇬🇧 The United Kingdom updated its dual national guidance for ETA enforcement. British dual nationals cannot obtain an ETA and require a valid British passport, Irish passport, or certificate of entitlement to board. Under temporary carrier discretion provisions, an expired British passport issued in 1989 or later may also be accepted. Travelers should confirm with their carrier before travel.
• 🇪🇺 The European Union confirmed that when ETIAS launches, EU dual nationals will be required to travel on their EU passport. If that passport is expired or cannot be used, they will need to obtain a new one.

Middle East travel disruptions

Since February 28, 2026, flight disruptions across major Gulf transit hubs have affected travelers worldwide. At least 11 countries have introduced emergency visa measures, including overstay fine waivers, automatic visa extensions, and simplified departure procedures, including: Bahrain, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.

For full details by country, see our support article: Middle East Travel Disruptions: Visa Policy Updates.

Restrictions affecting Iranian nationals

Several countries introduced or tightened restrictions affecting Iranian nationals in March:

• 🇦🇪 The United Arab Emirates restricted Iranian nationals from entering or transiting through the UAE, effective March 28. Holders of a UAE Golden Visa and certain categories of UAE residents are exempt.
• 🇱🇧 Lebanon ended visa-free entry for Iranian nationals. Travelers now require a pre-approved visa.
• 🇳🇵 Nepal halted visa on arrival for Iranian nationals.
• 🇦🇺 Australia temporarily suspended entry for Iranian tourist visa holders for six months.

Looking ahead

• 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka is preparing to waive eTA fees for a six-month period for nationals of approximately 40 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands. A cabinet decision was published on March 30, and parliamentary approval is pending.
• 🇹🇭 Thailand is preparing a proposal to reduce its visa exemption duration of stay from 60 days to 30 days for nationals of 93 countries. The proposal requires cabinet approval, and no implementation date has been set.