Visa updates
Philippine tourism department to boost promotions in Japan, South Korea, and US
The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) is focusing its efforts to draw in more tourists from South Korea, the United States, and Japan.
VFS Global wins Hungary visa services contract
Effective 7 October 2024, residents of Qatar can submit their Hungary visa applications from a VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Doha.
Indonesia announces visa-free policy for 13 nations
The Indonesian government officially announced the implementation of a visa-free travel policy for citizens of 13 countries.
Spike in visa applications for concerts, sports, and festivals: atlys
atlys, the visa processing platform, has reported a significant uptick in visa applications driven by travellers seeking out global concerts, sports events, and festivals.
VFS Global certified ‘Great Place to Work’ in the UAE and KSA
Further highlighting the organisation's commitment to its people and practices, VFS Global has been Great Place To Work® Certified™ in the UAE and KSA (from September 2024 to September 2025).
Citizens of Kosovo with Serbian Passports can travel visa-free to EU from mid-October
The Official Gazette of the European Union has published the Regulation of September 18, signed the same day by representatives of the European Union for the abolishment of visas for citizens of Kosovo holding passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.
Atlys secures USD 20 million funding co-led by Peak XV Partners and Elevation Capital
Atlys, the visa processing platform, has raised $20 million in its Series B funding round, co-led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Elevation Capital.
Top five visa-free destinations for Indian Travellers in 2024: Agoda
Digital travel platform Agoda has identified the top five visa-free destinations for Indian travellers in 2024, based on accommodation bookings on the platform.
Influx of cruise arrivals raises overtourism concerns in Greece
The Greek government expressed serious worries regarding overtourism in light of a growing number of cruise passengers entering the country.
Netherlands unlocks visa-free travel to 191 destinations: What it means for Dutch travelers and global tourism
The policy is anticipated to boost the Dutch economy by increasing outbound spending, attracting international tourists, and enhancing the country's appeal as a business hub.
Qatar Incentive Programme for UAE Travel Agents returns in its second edition
In partnership with Visit Qatar, VFS Global’s Tourism Services Unit presents the second edition of the ‘Qatar Incentive Programme’ for 2024, exclusively for travel agents and tour operators from the UAE.
Visa applications in India surpass pre-pandemic volumes in H1 2024
Robust pent-up demand for outbound travel from India for the first time went past the pre-pandemic levels in H1 2024 (January to June 2024).
It is now easier for Indians to visit Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's cabinet approved visa-free access to visitors from 35 countries, including India. This initiative is part of the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to boost tourism and revive its economy.
‘Swift visa approval, more direct flights key to boost Indo-US tourism’
India and the US have a lot of unexploited potential in the tourism and hospitality space and more direct flights between the two countries and swifter visa application process is the need of the hour
Atlys enters UAE Market
Travel tech startup, Atlys, has officially launched in the UAE, advancing its mission to streamline and enhance the visa application process for the region’s sizable expatriate community.
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