New offerings from sherpa since November 2025
- 🇨🇦 Canada eTA: Qatari nationals can now apply online for an eTA with sherpa following Canada's removal of visa requirements for Qatar on November 25, 2025.
Electronic visa and border system updates
- 🇬🇧 The United Kingdom announced ETA enforcement will begin February 25, 2026. From that date, visa-exempt travelers will need an ETA to enter the UK.
- 🇨🇳 China launched an electronic Arrival Card for foreign travelers from November 20, 2025 to streamline the arrival process.
- 🇵🇭🇨🇳 The Philippines resumed eVisa processing for Chinese nationals from November 1, 2025.
- 🇨🇦 Canada announced a digital visa pilot to test compatibility with airlines and reduce passport mailing requirements. A test group of Moroccan nationals approved for visitor visas will receive a digital version alongside their physical counterfoil.
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand expanded eTA eligibility to Chinese and Pacific Islands Forum nationals (Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and 9 others) with valid Australian visas, allowing them to apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa when traveling directly from Australia from November 1, 2025.
New visa exemptions and policy changes
- 🇨🇳 China extended its visa exemption policy for 45 countries (Japan, Germany, France, Australia, South Korea, and 40 others) until December 31, 2026 and included Sweden from November 10, 2025.
- 🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russia announced 30-day visa-free travel for Chinese nationals from December 1, 2025.
- 🇮🇳🇦🇪 India expanded its list of permitted Visa on arrival airports for UAE nationals to include Kochi (COK), Calicut (CCJ), and Ahmedabad (AMD) from November 19, 2025, bringing the total to 9 airports. Travelers must have a previously approved eVisa or paper visa to be eligible.
- 🇺🇿🇺🇸 Uzbekistan announced visa-free travel for US nationals from January 1, 2026.
- 🇮🇷🇮🇳 Iran suspended visa waiver for Indian nationals from November 22, 2025.
