Thailand has introduced several new travel updates that visitors should be aware of before planning their trip. A major change is the launch of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which replaces paper arrival forms and must be completed online within 72 hours before entry. Travelers will need to present the QR code at immigration, making advance preparation essential. Alcohol regulations have also been clarified, allowing sales and consumption between 11:00 AM and midnight, while remaining restricted overnight. These updates aim to improve efficiency while maintaining public order for both locals and visitors.

Getting Around and Paying Digitally in Thailand

Tourists can now enjoy greater convenience through Thailand’s expanded QR-based payment system, which allows digital payments at many shops, markets, and transport services, though carrying some cash is still advisable. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Bolt have also introduced stricter identity verification requirements, including passport and phone number checks, to enhance passenger safety. While these steps may take extra setup time, they contribute to a smoother and more secure travel experience, helping visitors focus on exploring Thailand with confidence.

Air travel between India and Saudi Arabia is becoming easier and more convenient with Air India and Saudia launching a new codeshare partnership from February. This collaboration allows passengers to book their entire journey on a single ticket, ensuring smoother transfers, coordinated flight schedules, and hassle-free baggage handling. With improved connectivity and simplified booking, travelers can now enjoy a more seamless flying experience between the two countries.

The expanded codeshare agreement also unlocks access to a wider network of cities across both nations. Indian travelers can conveniently connect to multiple destinations within Saudi Arabia, while passengers from the Kingdom gain better access to major Indian cities. This partnership is expected to significantly boost tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange, strengthening air connectivity and making cross-border journeys more efficient and traveler-friendly.

Several Schengen countries will continue or reintroduce internal border checks in 2026, temporarily rolling back the area’s traditional passport-free travel due to security concerns and high migration pressure. Nations such as Germany, France, Poland, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Norway have announced that they will maintain checks at their land, air, and sea borders into early-to-mid-2026. These measures are being taken in response to sustained irregular migration flows, strained asylum systems, and broader security risks linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as threats from organised crime and terrorism.

For travellers, this means that even when moving between Schengen states, passport and ID checks may still occur at internal borders, and longer processing times are possible at entry points. It’s advisable to always carry your travel documents, allow extra time for crossing borders, and check the specific requirements of each country before departure. While these controls do not close borders, they reintroduce screening practices that many visitors might not expect in the traditionally open Schengen Zone, so preparation and awareness will help ensure a smoother journey throughout Europe in 2026. 

VFS Global has secured a major five-year global contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, marking one of the company’s most significant international partnerships to date. Under this agreement, VFS Global will handle visa application processing for Slovakia from 83 countries, including India, strengthening Slovakia’s global outreach and making the visa process more accessible for travelers worldwide.

As part of the new contract, VFS Global will establish 159 Visa Application Centres (VACs) across multiple continents. The rollout will begin in January 2026, with 87 visa centres launching simultaneously in 41 different countries during the first phase. This rapid expansion aims to meet increasing travel demand to Slovakia, particularly for tourism, study, work, and long-stay categories. The remaining centres will be opened progressively throughout the contract period, ensuring full operational coverage in all 83 countries.

China has introduced a series of stricter visa documentation rules for Indian travelers, making accuracy and consistency more important than ever. The new process requires applicants to submit old passports issued within the last five years, along with their current passport, to ensure complete verification of travel history. Any mismatch in names across documents now demands official name-change proof, such as a gazette notification or affidavit, to avoid delays or rejection.

The visa process also brings more formal requirements for documentation. Cover letters and invitation letters must now include full applicant details, travel purpose, exact stay dates in the YYYY MM DD format, itinerary, and inviter information. For business or visit visas, the invitation must include the inviter’s name, designation, company details, and an official stamp or signature—both in English and Chinese. Even the visa application form must be filled entirely in capital letters, as per updated VFS Global instructions.

Financial scrutiny has also increased, with greater emphasis on bank statements and proof of funds. While some guidance suggests travelers may need a balance of around ₹300,000 for tourist visas, the embassy notes a minimum proof of funds of ₹100,000, maintained consistently over previous months. Stable financial documentation is now crucial for approval.

One positive change is the removal of mandatory appointments at VFS centres in many cities. Applicants can now walk in and submit their documents on any working day. With complete paperwork, the standard processing time remains quick—about 4 working days for normal processing and 3 days for express applications.

What Travelers Should Do Now

• Submit your current passport along with any old passports from the last five years.
• Ensure your name matches across all documents or attach official proof of change.
• Prepare a clear, formatted cover letter with dates in YYYY MM DD.
• Provide a complete invitation letter for business categories.
• Maintain strong, consistent bank balances and gather recent statements.
• Fill all forms in capital letters.
• Submit the application to the correct VFS centre based on your jurisdiction.