Five Countries Update Entry Rules: Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bahamas

Several popular destinations have quietly updated their entry rules, adding digital arrival forms, health declarations and revised visa limits. For remote workers who cross borders often, the era of simply showing a passport at immigration is fading—electronic authorizations are becoming standard. Here's a rundown of five recent changes and what each means in practice.

Vietnam: mandatory digital arrival card

Travelers flying into Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) must now complete an electronic arrival declaration that generates a QR code for faster processing. It replaces the old paper slip. The form is free, can be filled out up to 72 hours before arrival, and asks for passport, flight, purpose of visit and accommodation details. You need it even for domestic transfers within Vietnam—only passengers staying airside are exempt. Use the official portal, prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, and avoid third-party sites that charge fees.

India: health declaration returns

Following a WHO alert about an Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, India has temporarily reinstated a mandatory health self-declaration (Air Suvidha 2.0). There is no outbreak in India; it's a precautionary measure. The form must be completed online up to 24 hours before landing and covers recent travel history and any symptoms or exposure. It applies to all travelers regardless of nationality, including those transiting through hubs like Singapore, Dubai or Kuala Lumpur. Airlines may check for it at the gate, so save or print your confirmation. It's free at airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in.

Sri Lanka: e-visa fee waived

Good news for budgets: Sri Lanka has dropped the processing fee for its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travelers from 40 countries, including the US, UK and Australia. You still must apply before arrival—you just don't pay anymore. The free visa covers 30 days with double entry; longer stays require a paid extension. Apply only through the official portal, eta.gov.lk, as third-party sites still try to charge.

Thailand: visa-free stay cut to 30 days

Thailand has approved a restructuring of its visa exemption policy that will cap visa-free stays at 30 days—down from the recent 60—for visitors from 59 countries and territories. The exact start date depends on publication in the Royal Gazette, taking effect 15 days after. For anyone planning an extended stint in Chiang Mai or the islands, this means applying for a formal tourist visa in advance or planning a border run.

Bahamas: digital arrival card pilot

The Bahamas is testing a single digital form that combines immigration and customs. For now it's a soft launch, available only to select visitors on specific flights, and there's no published list of which flights qualify. If your airline doesn't prompt you to use it, you'll simply fill out the traditional paper cards on board.

What it means for nomads

The common thread is preparation. Fill out required forms in the days before departure, keep confirmations accessible on your phone or in print, and always use official government portals rather than fee-charging lookalikes. For Thailand in particular, watch the effective date closely if you were counting on a two-month stay.

Originally reported by Travel Off Path.