Asian countries have recently taken bold steps to promote regional unity and cooperation. An important and encouraging trend is emerging, with many countries waiving entry visa requirements for their Asian neighbors.
Several countries in Asia have taken these steps to promote tourism and strengthen economic ties. This strategic move will encourage cross-border travel, thereby increasing the number of visitors to certain destinations, VisaGuide.World reports.
Simplifying visa requirements and introducing measures to improve the travel experience is becoming a notable trend in several countries. As VisaGuide.World reported, countries that have recently adopted or proposed such measures include:
Malaysia Sri Lanka China Vietnam Thailand Iran Kazakhstan
Malaysia
Last month, Malaysia granted visa-free entry to nationals from China and India, among others. The measure, which came into force on 1 December 2014 and applies to stays of up to 30 days, comes as Malaysia has seen clear success in attracting tourists, with arrivals increasing significantly between January and June this year. This comes after the number of visitors reached 9.16 million.
China and India currently occupy the positions of Malaysia’s fourth and fifth largest tourism contributors, highlighting the growing importance of these two Asian countries in shaping Malaysia’s tourism landscape. doing.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka also announced an innovative pilot program, valid from November 27 until March 2024, offering free visas to nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan.
The initiative also applies to individuals holding different types of passports from these selected countries, including diplomatic passports, official passports, official passports, public service passports, and ordinary passports, with visa-free regimes available for specified periods. You will be able to enjoy. Under this initiative, tourists entering Sri Lanka will not only be given the privilege of a 30-day visa-free stay. However, she is also given the flexibility of two entry options within 30 days of her first arrival in her home country.
China
Similarly, China last month launched a one-year pilot program to allow visa-free entry. This is essential to improve business and tourism relations with multiple countries. From December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, individuals holding ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia will be able to enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
The one-year trial program is particularly important in the global travel environment reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. By reinstating visa-free entry for citizens of Brunei and Singapore, and extending this privilege to individuals from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, China is reestablishing its international connections and making them more accessible. We are actively working to promote easy travel.
Furthermore, in July 2023, another visa-free travel agreement was signed between Kazakhstan and China, which officially entered into force on November 10.
Visa-free entry, valid for up to 30 days, is an important step forward in promoting closer ties and cooperation between Kazakhstan and China.
Vietnam
As of August 15, 2023, Vietnam has introduced gradual changes to its visa policy with the aim of making the country more accessible to foreign tourists. Notable adjustments include the introduction of his 90-day e-visa, which gives travelers an extension of their visit period.
Furthermore, the visa exemption period will be extended from 15 to 45 days for tourists from countries that have been unilaterally exempted from visas, such as South Korea, Japan, Russia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Belarus, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain. to be extended to And Italy.
Meanwhile, in November this year, Vietnam took another important step towards promoting tourism and boosting the economy by introducing visa-free entry for Indian tourists. In this regard, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Nguyen Van Truong, has voiced the abolishment of short-term visas for countries including China and India, recognizing that these measures will play an important role in revitalizing the tourism sector. I’ve been insisting. country’s.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Trinh has announced new regulations for visitors from wealthy countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States and the remaining 20 EU countries, with the aim of simplifying entry procedures for nationals who currently require visas to visit Vietnam. He proposed waiving visas.
Thailand
At the same time, the Thai government introduced new measures last month to strengthen the tourism sector and stimulate economic growth. This means a visa-free stay of up to 90 days, which is attractive for European tourists.
In early November 2023, Thai authorities also implemented visa exemption measures for nationals of India and Taiwan, effective from December 2023 to May 2024.
We offer visa-free entry to India and Taiwan as many Indian and Taiwanese nationals prefer to travel to Thailand.
Prime Minister of Thailand Suretha Thavisin
Thailand’s efforts to remove visa requirements for Chinese and Kazakh travelers until February 29, 2024 further demonstrate Thailand’s efforts to create a welcoming atmosphere for tourists. Furthermore, Thailand’s entertainment environment will undergo major changes starting next month. In some areas of Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Chonburi, authorities will extend the opening hours of night entertainment venues until 4am.
Iran
The Iranian government is actively considering the possibility of removing visa requirements for passport holders from 68 countries as a strategic move aimed at attracting more tourists and facilitating travel to the country. I’m looking for something.
Future beneficiaries are spread across the globe, from Argentina and South Africa to Indonesia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Possible additions include Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, and Burkina Faso, demonstrating Iran’s eagerness to engage with a variety of countries. Iran is seeking to position itself as an attractive destination for travelers around the world by expanding visa-free travel to countries such as Ecuador, Algeria and Thailand.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s announcement to expand travel freedom with 26 countries in May 2023 highlights the country’s commitment to promoting international relations and promoting tourism.
Countries on the list of potential reciprocal visa-free agreements include Austria, Bahrain, San Marino, Saudi Arabia and China. Kazakhstan’s diplomatic efforts extend to considering the possibility of abolishing invitation requirements and streamlining visa issuance procedures for UAE nationals.
Currently, citizens of nine countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia and Ukraine, can enjoy visa-free entry to Kazakhstan for up to 90 days within 180 days.
