Thailand Joins US, Brazil, Japan and South Korea in Rolling Out New Visa and Travel‑Security Rules: What You Need to Know

Published on December 1, 2025

In 2025, several countries introduced new visa and travel‑security rules aimed at strengthening national security, improving public health and modernising border control. Thailand, the United States, Brazil, Japan and South Korea each implemented notable changes that will affect international visitors. The reforms reflect a wider shift toward digital procedures, enhanced vetting and targeted health measures, requiring travellers to be well prepared and informed when planning trips.

Thailand’s digital arrival card

Thailand has long required foreign travellers to fill out a paper arrival card when entering the country. In 2025, the Immigration Bureau replaced this paper form with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Under government announcements, all non‑Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea must register for the TDAC through the official immigration website. Travellers must complete the digital form within three days prior to arrival, and the submission is mandatory for all visa categories. It collects passport details, flight information, purpose of visit, address in Thailand and some health data, and produces a QR code that travellers present at immigration. By digitising the arrival card, authorities hope to speed up border processing, reduce paper handling, and improve data quality for security checks. Officials emphasise that the TDAC is not a visa and does not alter existing visa requirements; transit passengers and border pass holders remain exempt. Because the TDAC is strictly an immigration requirement, travellers who fail to register risk delays or denial of entry at Thai ports. Travellers should ensure they visit the official government portal and submit accurate information within the prescribed timeframe.

United States tightens screening and biometric controls

The U.S. government adopted several travel‑security measures in 2025. In June, a presidential proclamation directed consular officers to suspend visa issuance for nationals of eleven countries associated with heightened security risks, and partially suspend visas for nationals of seven others. The policy, effective 9 June 2025, fully suspends entry and visa issuance for nationals of Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, with limited exceptions for diplomats, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, special immigrant visas and humanitarian cases. Visa issuance is partially suspended for citizens of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela for certain visitor and student visa categories. Individuals who already hold valid visas as of the effective date are not affected. The suspension underscores the government’s intention to prevent terrorism and other national‑security threats.

In June 2025 the Department of State also announced that it would examine applicants’ online presence when adjudicating student and exchange visitor visas (F, M and J categories). Applicants are expected to make their social‑media accounts public so consular officers can review them. Officials say the broadened screening aims to identify potential security concerns and ensure that student and exchange programs are used appropriately. The message stresses that a visa is a privilege, not a right, and that national security considerations guide all decisions.

Later in the year, the State Department further tightened non‑immigrant visa interviews. Guidance issued in July and revised in September stipulates that, starting in the autumn of 2025, most applicants must attend an in‑person interview with a consular officer. Only diplomats, international organisations, certain renewals within twelve months and some agricultural workers may qualify for an interview waiver. Applicants must apply in their country of nationality or residence, have no prior visa refusals, and show no potential ineligibility. Consular officers retain discretion to require in‑person interviews even for otherwise‑exempt applicants. The requirement is intended to strengthen identity verification and reduce fraud. Travellers should therefore budget sufficient time for interview appointments and monitor embassy websites for local procedures.

The Department of Homeland Security supplemented these measures with a final rule on 27 October 2025 expanding biometric entry‑exit collection. The rule allows officers to collect photographs and other biometric information from all aliens entering or departing the United States, removing an earlier limit that confined biometric exit to fifteen pilot locations. Under the rule, foreign travellers may be photographed when leaving the United States at any port or departure location, and additional biometrics can be collected if needed. Authorities hope the expansion will curb visa overstays, improve identity verification and close gaps in the entry–exit monitoring system.

Brazil reinstates visas for some nationals

Brazil introduced a significant change in 2025 by reinstating a visa requirement for nationals of countries that previously enjoyed visa‑free entry. On 10 April 2025, Brazil began requiring visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia to obtain a Visitor Visa (VIVIS) before arrival. Under Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, applications must be filed online through the government‑authorised electronic visa system operated by VFS Global. Applicants complete an electronic form, upload required documents such as passports, photographs and travel itineraries, pay the fee and send original documents by mail if instructed. The new requirement reverses a visa‑waiver policy introduced ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games and restores reciprocity with countries that require visas for Brazilian citizens. Brazilian consulates abroad no longer process visitor visas in person; all applications are handled through the electronic platform. Travellers from Australia, Canada and the United States should therefore ensure they obtain the e‑visa well before travel and should not assume they can enter Brazil without prior authorisation.

Japan emphasises health screening and business oversight

Japan implemented two major changes to travel and immigration in 2025. In March, the ministries responsible for immigration, health and foreign affairs introduced pre‑entry tuberculosis (TB) screening for nationals of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar and China who intend to stay in Japan for more than three months. Applicants from these countries must obtain a TB clearance certificate from an authorised medical institution before applying for a visa. The requirement does not apply to short‑stay visitors or to specific categories such as scholarship students under the Japanese government program and participants in the JET Programme. Nationals of the six countries who live outside those countries are exempt. Authorities introduced the rule to prevent the importation of active TB cases and protect public health. Without a valid TB certificate, affected applicants may be refused long‑term visas.

Japan also strengthened its business immigration oversight. The Immigration Services Agency revised the criteria for the Business Manager visa, which grants residence to foreign entrepreneurs managing companies in Japan. The new rules require applicants to employ at least one full‑time employee who is a Japanese national or permanent resident and to invest at least 30 million yen in the business. Applicants must demonstrate B2‑level Japanese‑language proficiency through approved tests such as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT N2) or Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT 400+). Furthermore, a certified expert—such as a small‑ and medium‑enterprise diagnostician, certified accountant or tax accountant—must evaluate the business plan. Transitional measures apply to entrepreneurs who obtained the visa before the rules took effect, but new applicants must comply fully. These stricter criteria aim to ensure that foreign‑run businesses contribute meaningfully to the Japanese economy and that managers can communicate effectively and manage their operations responsibly.

Digital services also continued to expand. The government’s free Visit Japan Web service, which allows travellers to complete immigration and customs declarations in advance, unified separate two‑dimensional (2D) codes into a single code and introduced a combined menu for immigration clearance and customs declaration. In June 2025 the Digital Agency warned travellers about fraudulent websites that charge fees for this free service, reminding users that the government never asks for payment to use Visit Japan Web. Travellers should only use the official site.

South Korea adopts digital declarations and targeted health measures

South Korea introduced multiple travel‑security reforms in 2025. The Ministry of Justice extended a temporary exemption from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K‑ETA) until 31 December 2025 for nationals of countries previously exempt. While visitors from these countries can continue to enter without applying for K‑ETA, they may still choose to obtain one to expedite entry and avoid filling out paper arrival cards. The exemption, part of a tourism‑promotion campaign, will last the entire year. Fees paid for K‑ETA applications are non‑refundable.

Another major change is the launch of the e‑Arrival Card system on 24 February 2025. This digital form allows travellers to submit entry declarations online up to three days before arrival. The system operates in parallel with the traditional paper arrival card until at least December 2025. Travellers who previously had to submit a paper entry declaration are eligible to use the e‑Arrival Card, while residents of Korea, holders of valid K‑ETA approvals, members of airline crews and certain group tourists are exempt. The e‑Arrival Card is offered at no cost, and officials emphasise that travellers should not pay any third party for its use. By enabling online submission, South Korea aims to reduce congestion at airports and collect arrival data more efficiently.

Health‑security protocols also tightened. A notice issued in March 2025 designates several regions worldwide as strict quarantine inspection required areas. Travellers who have recently visited or transited through provinces in China, parts of the Middle East (such as Lebanon, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia), regions in Africa (like Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and certain U.S. states (Minnesota, Michigan, Washington, California, Colorado and Pennsylvania), as well as Mexico, must complete a Q‑Code or health declaration form when entering South Korea. The requirement allows public health authorities to monitor travellers from high‑risk areas and undertake appropriate quarantine measures if symptoms emerge. By targeting specific regions where outbreaks have occurred, Korea seeks to balance open borders with disease prevention.

Conclusion

The new visa and travel‑security rules introduced in 2025 illustrate how governments are adapting to a changing global landscape. Thailand’s digital arrival card, Brazil’s restored visa requirements, Japan’s public‑health screening and business oversight, South Korea’s e‑arrival card and targeted health declarations, and the United States’ expanded vetting, biometric collection and country‑specific suspensions show a clear trend toward digitalisation, robust security and health protection. Travellers should familiarise themselves with these rules, use official portals to submit required forms, and allow adequate time for processing. As governments continue to innovate in border management, staying informed is essential for seamless and compliant international travel.

References

1. Thailand’s U.S. Embassy announcement on mandatory TDAC for all non‑Thai nationals effective 1 May 2025[1] and Royal Thai Consulate‑General clarification that TDAC must be completed within three days and is not a visa[2].
2. Thai Immigration Bureau FAQ explaining that TDAC replaces paper arrival cards, must be submitted within three days, is mandatory for all non‑Thai nationals, and is valid for one entry[3][4].
3. U.S. Department of State press release on expanded screening and vetting for student and exchange visas, requiring applicants to share online presence[5].
4. U.S. State Department notice suspending visa issuance for nationals of certain countries and partially suspending visas for others effective 9 June 2025[6].
5. U.S. travel.state.gov guidance (September 18 2025) updating non‑immigrant visa interview waivers; most applicants will require in‑person interviews from 1 October 2025 with limited exceptions[7].
6. Federal Register final rule authorising collection of photographs and other biometrics from aliens at entry and departure, expanding beyond pilot programs[8].
7. Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructions that, from 10 April 2025, visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia must apply for a visitor visa via the e‑Visa system[9].
8. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement introducing pre‑entry TB screening for nationals of six countries for mid‑ to long‑term stays[10].
9. Japanese Immigration Services Agency Q&A on new Business Manager visa requirements, including hiring a full‑time employee, minimum capital of 30 million yen and B2‑level Japanese language ability[11].
10. Visit Japan Web announcements: unification of 2D codes and warnings against fraudulent fee‑charging websites[12][13].
11. South Korean MOFA notice extending K‑ETA exemption to 31 December 2025 and explaining that travellers can still apply to avoid arrival cards[14].
12. South Korean e‑Arrival card notice explaining that travellers may submit entry declarations online within three days of arrival and listing exemptions[15]; the e‑Arrival card home page states that no fee is required for submission[16].
13. Korean consular notice listing regions subject to strict quarantine inspection and requiring travellers from those areas to complete a Q‑Code or health declaration when entering South Korea[17].