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Nowadays, visa rules and regulations are rapidly evolving all around the globe. For students,tourists and work visa applicants, nations like UK ,CANADA,  AUSTRALIA, EUROPE and NEW ZEALAND have implemented tougher regulations and more stringent inspections and updated laws. To prevent rejection or delay it is crucial to be aware of the most recent developments before submitting an application for any kind of visa.

Technology driven changes

1. United Kingdom- The UK government has introduced e-visas, which provide a secure digital

record of an individual’s immigration status. This status can be accessed through a UKVI

account. Traditional visa stickers, Biometric ,Residence permits (BRPS) and ink stamps are

replaced with fully digital records as of 25 February 2026.

2. European Union- The EU’s Entry/Exit system (EES) started on October 12, 2025 is expected to

be fully operational by April 2026. Travellers will use self-service kiosks or e-gates at airports,

Seaports and land borders to register biometric data, will be applied to all non-EU nationals

staying up to 90 days.

3. European travel information and authorisation system (ETIAS)- Following the EES

implementation, ETIAS is expected to come into effect in late 2026, requiring travellers from visa

free countries to obtain pre-travel approval before visiting Europe.

Introduction of mandatory electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

1. United Kingdom- As of February 25, 2026 the UK requires travellers from more than 85 visa

exempt countries including the US, CANADA and EU member states to obtain an ETA prior to

travel.

2. Thailand- Visitors to Thailand should now complete Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online

72 hours prior to land.

Hike in immigration fees

1. United Kingdom- Starting from 8th of April 2026, immigration and nationality application fees

are forecasted to incline, with short-term visitor visa charges rising up by approximately 10%.

2. United States- For the financial year 2026 a new USD 250 visa integrity fees has been

introduced which will apply to certain visa categories including student (F-1) and some work

visas.

3. Australia- An increase of AUD 2000 in application fee for the student visa (Subclass 500) has

been implemented making it one of the highest student visa fees among popular study

destinations.

More stringent Guidelines for student and work visas

1. United States- In-person interviews are now required for most visa applicants with very limited

eligibility for interview waiver (Dropbox) appointments. Applicants are also required to provide

the social media history for the past 5 years as the part of the application process.

2. Canada-The study permit limit of Canada for 2026 has been reduced to 408,000 applications

and the student direct stream (SDS) program has been discontinued making it stricter for

international students to migrate and study there.

3. United States- The minimum English language requirement for several visa categories has

been increased to CEFR level B2 raising the eligibility standards as of January 2026 in the United

States of America.

4. Australia- The maximum age limit for temporary graduate visas has been lower to 35 years. In

addition, a new genuine student assessment has replaced the previous GTE (Genuine Temporary

Entrant) requirement.

Regional Relief and New Travel Opportunities

1. India Visa extension Relief- As announced on 1st March 2026, India Is offering free 30 day

visa extensions and waiving overstay penalties due to regional conflicts and social affairs.

2. Introduction of Digital nomad visas- Sri Lanka now offers digital nomad visa with a minimum

income requirement of USD 2000 per month while Slovenia has introduced a similar program

requiring a monthly income of around 3200 euro.

3. Visa free access for Indian Travellers- Until December 2026, Malaysia has extended its 30

days visa free entry policy for Indian citizens. Thailand has also made it easier for the tourists by

allowing a visa free travel for Indians for stays of up-to 60 days.