Live updates on visa rules, scam alerts, customs changes, and safety notices. Updated as news breaks.
Japan's International Tourist Tax ("Sayonara Tax") rose from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per person for anyone leaving the country by air or sea on or after July 1, 2026.
Source: Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Vietnam introduced two new visa types — UĐ1 for high-skilled digital technology professionals and UĐ2 for their spouses and children under 18 — as part of a push to attract global tech talent.
Source: Vietnam Immigration Department
Under Decree No. 165/2026/NĐ-CP, every inbound, outbound and transit passenger must complete an online health declaration before entering or exiting Vietnam, alongside stricter customs and immigration checks.
Source: Vietnam Government / Decree 165/2026/NĐ-CP
Following renewed friction along the Thai-Cambodian border in mid-2026, Thai authorities have increased checkpoints and advised extra caution for travelers near border provinces such as Sa Kaeo, Surin, and Trat.
Source: Traveler reports + Thai border authorities
Singapore Police Force has joined authorities in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India and several European countries in a coordinated warning about fake accommodation listings, counterfeit airline tickets, and AI-generated impersonation scams targeting travelers.
Source: Singapore Police Force + multi-country advisory
Cambodia has widened its nationwide crackdown on online scam compounds through mid-2026, reporting hundreds of cases investigated and dozens of casino licenses revoked, though Amnesty International says many large operators remain untouched.
Source: Amnesty International / Cambodian government statements
PM Anutin Charnvirakul announced that Thailand has seized or frozen over 24 billion baht and arrested more than 29,000 suspects linked to call-centre and scam networks since the campaign began.
Source: The Nation Thailand / Royal Thai Government
China's unilateral 30-day visa-free entry policy has expanded to 50 countries as of mid-2026 following the addition of the UK and Canada in February, with the whole scheme confirmed to run through December 31, 2026.
Source: National Immigration Administration of China
Malaysian immigration is reiterating that the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is completely free and must only be filed via the official imigresen-online.imi.gov.my portal, as fake fee-charging lookalike sites continue to appear.
Source: Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia
With the Philippines declared "POGO-free" earlier in 2026 after the total ban on offshore gaming operators, the PNP says smaller, less visible scam networks are still operating and vowed sustained enforcement.
Source: Philippine News Agency / PNP
The Indian government continues to flag fraudulent e-visa websites that mimic the official portals and overcharge applicants or harvest passport data, urging travelers to use only indianvisaonline.gov.in, indianvisa.gov.in, or authorized agents like VFS Global and BLS International.
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India
Nagano Prefecture (plus Matsumoto, Karuizawa, Achi and Hakuba), along with Kumamoto City and Miyazaki City, began charging new per-night lodging taxes on hotel and ryokan stays starting June 2026.
Source: Japan Tourism Agency / regional governments
Indonesian immigration in Bali launched a dedicated task force targeting fake e-visa/TDAC-style scam sites and tourists who use tourist visas to do paid influencer or remote-work activity, with dozens of foreigners already detained.
Source: Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesia
Effective May 19, 2026, most Western passport holders now receive 30 days visa-free instead of 60. The change applies to air arrivals. Land border stays were already capped at 30 days.
Source: Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ADHD medications including Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin are classified as controlled substances in Japan and are illegal to bring — even with a prescription.
Source: Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) replaced the paper TM.6 form and is now mandatory for all foreigners entering Thailand by any means — air, land, or sea.
Source: Thai Immigration Bureau
Reports of bag and phone snatching from motorbikes have increased in HCMC's tourist areas, particularly around Ben Thanh Market and Bui Vien Walking Street.
Source: Vietnam Tourist Police
Thai immigration is now actively checking the long-standing funds requirement: 20,000 THB per person (~$550) or 40,000 THB per family.
Source: Traveler reports + Thai immigration
Japan's online visa application system expanded in September 2025 to cover nationalities that previously had to visit embassies in person.
Source: Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Malaysia's mandatory Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is now being enforced with fines at certain entry points. Complete it before travel.
Source: Malaysia Immigration Department
Scammers are replacing legitimate merchant QR codes with their own at restaurants and markets in Bangkok tourist areas. Tourists pay but merchants never receive the money.
Source: Tourist Police Thailand
Vietnam upgraded its e-Visa to 90-day multiple-entry in 2023 and the system now processes applications in under 24 hours for most nationalities.
Source: Vietnam Immigration Department
All travelers must complete the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) within 3 days before arrival. The digital form replaces the old paper disembarkation card.
Source: Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Japan's consumption tax refund system for tourists is now entirely digital. Physical passport presentation is mandatory — no copies or photos accepted.
Source: Japan Tax Agency
India's e-Visa system has been upgraded and most applications from Western countries are now approved within 4-24 hours rather than the previous 3-5 days.
Source: India Bureau of Immigration
Phu Quoc maintains its special status: all nationalities get 30 days visa-free when arriving directly to the island — no e-Visa needed.
Source: Vietnam Tourism Authority
Bali implemented a mandatory tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (~$10 USD) per foreign visitor. The fee is separate from visa costs.
Source: Bali Provincial Government
Indonesia maintains and enforces the death penalty for drug trafficking. Multiple foreigners are currently on death row. This is not a theoretical risk.
Source: Indonesian National Police
Updates added as news breaks. Report a scam or rule change →