Vietnam to Expand Unilateral Visa Waivers to Attract High-Quality Tourists
The Vietnamese government has directed ministries to expand visa waivers and simplify entry procedures to hit a 2026…
Azerbaijan and Oman approve mutual visa waiver for diplomats
Azerbaijan has ratified a mutual visa waiver with Oman for diplomatic and service passport holders. The law, signed…
Saudi Arabia and China Agree Visa Waiver for Diplomatic Passports
Saudi Arabia and China signed a targeted mutual visa exemption on Dec. 15, 2025 for diplomatic, service, and…
What the US entry rules mean: ESTA, social media checks
Beginning late 2025, CBP will require five years of social media history and additional data through a redesigned…
DNA Not Required for ESTA Right Now, CBP Sees Future Data Use
A CBP proposal would expand I-94 and ESTA data collection—potentially including DNA and extended social media, phone and…
US Expands ESTA Checks to Include Five Years of Social Media
A December 2025 CBP proposal would make social media disclosure and expanded biometrics mandatory for VWP travelers applying…
Europe Catches Up as US Expands Visa Waiver to 41 Countries
The U.S. expanded the VWP with Romania and tightened ESTA rules requiring 72‑hour advance applications and biometric passports;…
ESTA Fee Increases to $40: What Travelers Should Know
The ESTA fee jumped to $40 on September 30, 2025, due to HR‑1, moving from $21. The increase…
China’s Expanded Visa Waivers Drive Travel Surge and Global Ties
In 2025 China expanded visa waivers and the 240-hour transit program, spurring a 35%+ rise in international arrivals.…
Digital Entry Under VWP: ESTA Enables 90-Day Travel Without Visas
U.S. border processing is shifting to digital ESTA authorizations tied to e-passport chips for 42 VWP countries. ESTA…
US Visa Waiver Program 2025: Updated Countries and Key Requirements
The VWP in 2025 covers 42 countries for 90-day visits; ESTA approval and an e-passport are mandatory. Qatar…
Brunei Records Surge in Chinese Tourists in 2025 with Visa Waiver
From March 8, 2025, Brunei’s 14-day visa waiver for Chinese ordinary passport holders drove 28,714 arrivals by August,…
Senate Committee Backs Philippines Visa Waiver to Boost CNMI Tourism
CNMI’s Senate Committee backed Resolution No. 24-1 on October 2, 2025, asking DHS to add the Philippines to…
Do ESTA Authorizations Remain Valid During a U.S. Government Shutdown?
ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program remain fully operational during U.S. government shutdowns as border security functions are…