India expands e-Visa eligibility and adjusts fee bands

What changed

The South African Department of Home Affairs is making major digital changes. They are expanding the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. It will cover more than just tourist visas, such as study visas. They are also expanding the Trusted Employer Scheme to include important parts of the economy. These changes aim to make services digital, reduce complex rules (red tape), and make things work better for South African citizens and people travelling to or investing in the country. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has been tested in four countries. It will become the main part of a full digital immigration system.

What changed

India has made the system for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card simpler when cardholders renew their passport. The main change is that the OCI system is now more digital. In most cases, people who hold an OCI card do not need to get a physical OCI card reissued every time they get a new passport after they turn 20. Instead, they can update their passport details using the OCI online portal. They can then download an electronic OCI (e-OCI) card. The new system also cuts down on much of the previous paperwork for OCI cards. It allows existing OCI holders to see their OCI details online. Important: This does not mean people can ignore passport renewals. OCI cardholders must still update their passport information if the OCI rules say they need to.

What changed

Japan has given more foreign people access to its JAPAN eVISA system. Eligible people living in more countries and regions can now apply online for a short-term tourist visa. As of 15 May 2026, the system works for eligible people living in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It also works for eligible people living in China, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Mongolia, South Korea, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Different application rules apply to these last countries. The electronic visa (eVISA) is currently for single-entry tourism trips that last up to 90 days. It does not cover work, study, family visits, or other long-term reasons to travel.

What changed

The UK Home Office now uses eVisas. This is the main way to record a person's immigration status and conditions in the UK. This digital record replaces physical immigration documents. These include Biometric Residence Cards (BRC) and visa vignettes. This system is a simpler, online process. All new immigration permissions will be eVisas. People can access them through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. They can use these eVisas to show their status to other people or when they travel internationally.