Visa changes: Where to Easily Travel in 2019 & 2020

A number of recent visa changes, revisions and extensions mean that travel in 2019 and 2020 will be easier for many Australian, US, Canadian, New Zealand and British passport holders. Madagascar, Oman and Egypt are among the latest countries to adopt e-Visa systems, with a number of destinations introducing a visa-waiver policy for certain citizens.

• Madagascar visa update

For all nationalities: Visitors to Madagascar can take advantage of the new Tourist e-Visa option that the country has now introduced. Available for passport holders of all nationalities, applications for the e-Visa can be made at www.evisamada.gov.mg at least three days (72 hours) before travelling to Madagascar and up until six months before departure.

At the end of the online registration, applicants receive a landing authorisation, which must be either printed or saved at a smartphone in order to be presented at the designated e-Visa counters upon arrival.

The e-Visa allows for a single entry to Madagascar with a maximum duration of 90 days. Depending on the length of your stay there are three options available: US$37 for up to 30 days; US$45 for up to 60 days; and US$55 for up to 90 days.

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• Brazil visa update

For Australian, US, and Canadian passport holders: The Brazilian Government has waived the need for visas for Australian, US and Canadian citizens from June 17, 2019. Visitors can enter Brazil visa-free for stays lasting up to 90 days, which can then be extended up to 180 days every 12 months.

For New Zealand and British passport holders: For New Zealand and UK citizens they still remain able to enter Brazil visa-free with a 90-day tourist stamp on arrival.

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• Pakistan visa update

For New Zealand passport holders: Pakistan announced the introduction of visa on arrival in a bid to open up the country to the world and boost tourism. The new, tourist-friendly policy applies to travellers from 50 countries, including parts of Europe and New Zealand. 

For Australian, Canadian, UK and US passport holders: Citizens of 175 countries will be able to obtain visas electronically, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the US.

You can view the list of countries for a tourist visa on arrival at the Pakistan government website.

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• Egypt visa update

For Australian, British, US, Canadian and New Zealand passport holders: In an attempt to speed up the process at border control, Egypt introduced e-Visa services last summer for 46 countries, including the UK. Tourist e-Visas are valid for a maximum of three months. 

A single-entry tourist visa costs US$25; multiple-entry tourist visas are also available for US$60. Visit visa2egypt.gov.eg for more information on the e-Visa process.

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• Uzbekistan visa update

For Australian and British passport holders: As of 1 February 2019, British and Australian holidaymakers no longer need a visa to enter Uzbekistan. As part of its drive to facilitate international tourism, the country introduced last month a visa-free regime for a period of 30 days for citizens of 45 countries, including the Australia, the UK and Ireland. 

For US passport holders: The United States is one of close to 60 countries whose citizens can apply for an Uzbekistan e-Visa.

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• Oman visa update

For Australian, British, US, Canadian and New Zealand passport holders: For 71 nationalities travelling to Oman, they must now get an e-Visa before visiting the Arab Sultanate. Applications for an ‘unsponsored visa’ can be made through the Royal Oman Police portal at evisa.rop.gov.om.

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• Vietnam visa update

For British passport holders: First announced in 2015 and originally valid for only one year, Vietnam’s visa waiver policy has been so successful that it keeps being renewed; the latest extension, announced last year, allows visa-free travel until 30 June 2021 and is valid for single-entry stays of up to 15 days. 

For British National Overseas passport holders, they are not eligible for the 15-day free visa exemption.

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• South Africa visa update

For British passport holders: Last December saw a welcome U-turn in the heavily criticised entry policy for children, making the country once again much easier for UK families to visit. The previous rules required parents to carry original birth certificates for children, as well as certified letters from non-travelling parents.

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• India visa update

For British passport holders: Announced last month, the duration of stay in India for holders of e-Tourist Visa has been extended to one year, with multiple entries allowed during this period. The number of airports where the e-Visa is applicable has also been expanded, to 28, with the addition of two more designated airports.

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Information correct as of 21 May 2019.

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