Chinese travelers are once again eager to explore the world, as indicated by the results of a recent survey conducted by Dragon Trail Research. This study underscores a significant increase in outbound travel intentions compared to the same period last year. Chinese travelers are increasingly interested in going abroad, with almost 40 percent planning to visit places outside Asia in 2024. Europe is their top choice for faraway destinations, especially France and Iceland, VisaGuide.World reports. South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Singapore are among the top choices for Chinese travelers in Asia ..read more

As of April 26, the Japan Immigration Service Agency has introduced stricter regulations regarding international student admissions. Such a measure comes after authorities found in 2019 that the Tokyo University of Social Welfare lost contact with 1,610 international students over three years starting from the 2016 academic year, VisaGuide.World reports. According to a report by Kyodo News, the new rules require universities and vocational schools to manage foreign student enrollments properly, following revised regulations aimed at preventing inappropriate recruitment and illegal employment ..read more

Concerns have increased that a lot of people might not be eligible to come to the 2026 men’s World Cup in the United States after it’s taking too long to get visas. With the World Cup in the US approaching, concerns have been raised that visa delays could potentially prevent many persons from this event, VisaGuide.World reports. The tournament begins in 777 days. However, many countries won’t know if they qualify for at least another 18 months. In two Mexican cities, the wait time for US visa interviews is already over 800 days, while in Bogota, Colombia, it is 685 days. Last month, travel ind ..read more

Holders of diplomatic and special passports from Saudi Arabia and Cyprus will be able to travel to each other countries visa-free. The mutual visa exemption agreement was signed by both foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Cyprus in Riyadh on April 25, VisaGuide.World reports. HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan and H.E Dr. Constantinos Kombos signed the Agreement on Mutual Visa Waiver for Holders of Diplomatic and Special Passports following the meeting. Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia According to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia, foreign ministers also reviewed the ..read more

The Flanders Region in Belgium has decided to ease educational criteria for holders of the EU Blue Card, starting from May 1. Under the new policies, applicants for EU Blue Card with managerial or specialist roles in IT will be able to switch academic credentials with at least three years of applicable work experience acquired in the last seven years, VisaGuide.World reports. According to the Economic Times newspaper, authorities introduced this policy in an effort to ease the shortage of occupations related to IT. Furthermore, holders of the EU Blue Card will be able to switch employers more ..read more

A total of 17.3 million United States citizens considered themselves to be digital nomads last year, according to the figures provided by Statista. The same source shows that the number of digital nomads has more than doubled since 2019, VisaGuide.World reports. The main reason for the increase, according to Statista, is the surge in remote work opportunities since the COVID-19 pandemic. Those people who can live the digital nomad lifestyle are most likely to be in professions that have a lower level of human contact in their day-to-day. Statista The same source reveals that, professions such ..read more

The Department of Transportation has announced that airlines will soon be required to cash refund passengers for cancelled and delayed flights automatically. The new measure, which is expected to be implemented in six months, will also refund travelers who had to wait significant times for their flights, with all of those waiting for their flights for more than three hours, being eligible for compensation, VisaGuide.World reports. In addition to cancelled and delayed flights, passengers will also be compensated for other inconveniences they encounter during their journey, including a non-worki ..read more

Dr. Seb Rumsby, a researcher at the University of Birmingham, has urged the United Kingdom’s government to provide more visa programs for Vietnamese migrants in order to decrease illegal boat crossings. Rumsby’s current research analyses the political economy of irregular Vietnam workers in the UK, VisaGuide.World reports. According to him, the government’s efforts to limit or prevent economic migration would result in more risky journeys and higher fees that migrants must pay smugglers to facilitate their passage. He further explained that Vietnamese migrants often borrow a lot of money from ..read more

Starting April 29, 2024, Thai citizens applying for Australian visas can now conveniently provide biometrics and other services in Phuket. The Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Dr Angela Macdonald PSM, said that previously, applicants had to travel to Bangkok or Chiang Mai for biometric submissions, VisaGuide.World reports. With this new centre operated by VFS Global, applicants can now streamline the process. As the Australian Embassy in Thailand explains, VFS Global is open for bookings for biometric appointments from April 29, 2024, onwards. Facilities are available at all VFS Global offi ..read more

Tajikistan and Italy have reached an agreement of visa requirement abolishment for holders of diplomatic passports. The announcement has been confirmed through a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan. The Ministry notes that the agreement was signed between the governments of Tajikistan and Italy during the visit of Tajikistan’s President, Emomali Rahmon, to this country, VisaGuide.World reports. The agreement notes that nationals from both countries with diplomatic passports are eligible to go in and out of each other’s countries without needing a visa for up to 90 days ..read more