Thailand is preparing to halve the visa-free stay period for tourists from 93 countries amid growing concerns over foreigners engaging in illegal business operations and criminal activities, officials said.
"The objective was to promote tourism, which is important, as tourism generates significant revenue and contributes to Thailand's GDP," Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow said at a March 20 press briefing.
Full restrictions remain in place for 12 countries previously identified as "high risk." Driving the news: The Trump administration instituted full restrictions and entry limitations against Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as people with travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. Trump expanded restrictions from partial to full against Laos and Sierra Leone. He also added partial restrictions and energy limitations on 15 additional countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The ban was lifted from Turkmenistan on non-immigrant visas but maintained for immigrants.
Bringing in workers to provide services is difficult, it's an obstacle that we want to remove and we are working bilaterally with the British government to allow skilled workers to be brought in to provide services in the United Kingdom,
Long-term travel is the ultimate dream for many Americans, whether it's working remotely in Europe, learning a new language in Latin America, or embracing a slow-paced beach life in Southeast Asia. But visa restrictions often cut those dreams short, forcing travelers to shuffle in and out of countries on tourist permits. Luckily, a surprising number of countries now offer visa-free stays, extended tourist visas, or digital nomad visas that let Americans remain for up to a year with minimal hassle.
From Greece to Spain, nations are reinventing themselves to attract foreign talent offering visas that combine lifestyle and legality. Portugal was first to dominate the conversation. But with success came strain. Overcrowding, skyrocketing rent, and new housing restrictions turned Lisbon's remote worker paradise into something closer to a cautionary tale. Meanwhile, Croatia often seen as a second-tier option quietly launched its Digital Nomad Residence Permit in 2021. It didn't make headlines. But it made sense.
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee's second report into the UK's failure to retain and scale science and technology firms has described the government's visa policies for global talent as "counter-productive". With the Trump administration's $100,000 fee for high-skilled workers' H1-B visa, the committee has urged the government to 'roll out the red carpet' for talented scientists and entrepreneurs who want to come to the UK, rather than red tape.
No, that isn't part of the plans, Starmer told reporters when asked if he would respond to sectors' demands for easier movement of workers. We're here now to take advantage of the free trade agreement that we've already struck. We've got to implement it. Starmer said that businesses would benefit significantly from the mood music from the trade deal, citing increases in flights by British Airways and others. But the issue is not about visas.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday said that the US immigration raid on a Hyundai factory was "bewildering" and could have adverse effects on future South Korean investments in the US. The raid was the largest single-site anti-immigration operation conducted since US President Donald Trump cracked down on immigration, a top political priority since he returned to office in January.
Much has been written about building a southern border wall to stop immigration. But while the fight over black paint, bricks, and steel has dominated headlines, another wall-larger, quieter, and potentially far more damaging-is already rising. This one is invisible. It's made of visa denials, delays, and mounting barriers that keep students, workers, tourists, and families from reaching the U.S.
Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority due to Australia’s refusal to grant visas to Israeli figures.
The US state department announced it would stop issuing visas to children from Gaza in need of medical care due to pressure from Laura Loomer, a far-right influencer.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will update visa policies to restrict trans women athletes from competing in women's sports, amid a broader anti-trans agenda.
