February 2025 Visa Updates

New offerings from Sherpa° since February 2025:

• 🇮🇳 India eVisa: Nationals of Qatar were granted eVisa eligibility on 16 February and can now apply online with Sherpa° for 30 Day, 1 year, 5 year, and Business eVisa options.

Global updates in February 2025:

• New ETIAS details:
  • The 🇪🇺 EU published further details on initial ETIAS exemption periods:
    1. Transition period: first six months after launch.
       • Travelers should apply for an ETIAS during this period, but will not be refused entry if they do not have an ETIAS.
    2. Grace period: the six months following the transition period.
       • Travelers must have an ETIAS during this period, but an exemption will be permitted for travelers visiting Europe for the first time since the transition period.
• New electronic entry documents:
  • 🇰🇷 South Korea introduced an electronic e-Arrival Card (e-arrivalcard.go.kr) on 24 February. Exemptions apply to:
    • Residents of South Korea (including Permanent Resident Card holders and Overseas Korean Resident Card holders);
    • Travelers in possession of a valid Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA).
  • 🇳🇦 Namibia launched an eVOA portal ahead of the 1 April requirement for passport holders of 33 countries to obtain a Visa on arrival (including nationals of Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States).
  • 🇮🇶 Iraq suspended Visa on arrival issuance for nationals of Australia, China, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States beginning 3 March. Passport holders are required to obtain an eVisa instead.
  • 🇿🇦 South Africa launched a Trusted Tour Operator portal on 12 February allowing designated agencies to submit bulk visa applications for nationals of India and China.
  • 🇸🇴 Somalia launched an eVisa portal on 12 February.
  • 🇺🇦 Ukraine reactivated its eVisa portal on 20 February.
  • 🇳🇬 Nigeria launched a new eVisa portal on 28 February.
• New exemptions:
  • 🇦🇪 The United Arab Emirates expanded Visa on Arrival eligibility for Indian nationals. Since 13 February, travelers can now obtain a Visa on Arrival with supporting documents issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, or South Korea, in addition to supporting documents issued by previously permitted countries (the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union).
  • 🇨🇳 China implemented a visa exemption policy for tour groups from ASEAN countries visiting Xishuangbanna for maximum stays of up to 6 days starting 10 February.
  • 🇳🇿 New Zealand announced that recipients of both Visitor visas and Electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) can work remotely as digital nomads for employers located outside of New Zealand.

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