travel formalities

The Japanese government has just announced that it will be changing the rules governing tax-free purchases from 1 January 2026. Until now, the rules for refunding consumption tax on goods have been disarmingly simple. The tax, which amounts to 10%, is immediately deducted from purchases by foreign visitors, on presentation of their passport or identity card.

A region of more than 620 million inhabitants whose economic growth has been constant - apart from during the Covid parenthesis. Growth in 2024 was around 4.7% and, according to official institutions, should barely dip in 2025. South-East Asia is proving more than ever to be a land of...

The 2024 Henley Passport Index had crowned France - and five other countries - for the ability of its passport to open the doors of the world. The French, Italian, Spanish, German, Singaporean and Japanese passports gave access to 194 destinations around the world without a visa. Those days are gone now, with 195 destinations...

Announced last week by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visa offered on arrival to travellers from 38 nations will see its validity extended from 15 to 30 days from 30 November. This "temporary" facility had been introduced on 1 December 2023 to six test countries (including France). The measure had...

Speed and simplicity are the values that air passengers place at the top of their list of concerns, reveals the latest IATA study on travellers' needs. This quest for speed, flexibility and convenience is reflected at every stage of air travel, from planning to booking to completion. According to the...

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) has become the new standard for travellers who want to visit a country without a specific visa. This online form enables the authorities in the receiving country to store data on a traveller, with the ETA replacing, so to speak, the form that a traveller was required to fill in...

Last week, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior notified the European Commission of the introduction of land border controls with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark for a period of six months. This arrangement begins on 16 September 2024. It will result in the introduction of...

40 minutes minimum before departure. This is now the boarding time imposed by the Omani airport authorities at Muscat international airport. This measure came into force on 4 August. It requires passengers to be in the international departure area 40 minutes before the actual departure of the flight. This means that a passenger...

The Timatic AutoCheck system provides a streamlined, interactive experience that gives travellers, airlines and travel professionals easy access to accurate, clearly formulated immigration information. The system, developed by IATA, has just been adopted by Star Alliance. The system automatically checks documents. Timatic AutoCheck...

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are preparing to launch a common tourist visa modelled on the existing Schengen visa in the European Union. The idea, first mooted in 2021, has now been approved by six GCC countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates....

Another African country has decided to cross the Rubicon when it comes to lifting travel restrictions. Malawi, the southern African state landlocked between Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, has decided to unilaterally lift visa requirements for citizens of 47 countries. The Minister of Internal Security, Ken Zikhałe, announced this change...

The 2024 edition of the Henley Passport Index will therefore have crowned the French passport as the most "powerful". However, France has to share top spot with three of its European neighbours - Italy, Spain and Germany - as well as two Asian representatives who have been doing so for the past five years: Singapore and Japan....

Will China end up giving lessons to the rest of the world for opening its borders to travellers? Practically every month, China's leaders announce new measures to simplify entry for international travellers. China recently abolished the requirement for visas for a period of one year for a dozen...

The year 2024 has brought some changes to Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BBI). Since 1 January, the FBB airport management company has been responsible for passenger and baggage screening at the airport instead of the federal police force. It is therefore responsible for the organisation, management, implementation and...

Kenya is entering 2024 with a new sign of openness for international travellers. The visa in force until now is being replaced by an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) with a view to simplifying arrivals. The first beneficiaries were welcomed on 5 January. The system is based on a dedicated platform, accompanied...

On 31 March, Bulgaria and Romania will finally join the Schengen area, after years of negotiations. For travellers, this decision will mean the abolition of border controls, which are still in place for the time being. However, the inclusion of the two Balkan states in the Schengen area is not complete. Austria and the...

Five countries have been chosen by the Chinese government to be able to enter China for a period of one year without needing a visa, a procedure that is usually complicated by the number of documents required - particularly for business travel. Citizens of France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom will be able to...

The Hong Kong authorities are continuing to work on making the former British colony more attractive to international travellers. Improving services at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is part of this approach, according to the territory's government. Travellers flying from Hong Kong will soon be able to benefit from security checks without...

The turbulence experienced by Europe's major hubs - and Heathrow in particular - is leading to a rethink, and a number of innovations. Following the example set by Amsterdam Schiphol, London's main airport is now taking its turn to streamline the passenger experience. Since 3 October, Heathrow Timeslot has been...

Sixteen: that's the number of days that Russia allows travellers to visit the country with an e-visa. The Russian Federation has just launched an e-visa for travel to the country. With simplified formalities for citizens of 55 countries. Visa applicants...