Visa changes: what you need to know

It has recently been revealed that there are a number of visa changes occurring for people hoping to visit the US, China and New Zealand.  Unfortunately the rules seem to have gotten tighter across the board and could affect travellers who aren’t aware of the changes. It’s important for travellers to read up on visa rules for all countries they visit, failing to do so could result in being denied entry and missing out on your hard-earned holiday. Rebecca Kingsley, Brand Manager of travelinsuranceexplained.co.uk, details what changes are happening and what you’ll need to look out for when visiting these countries.

United States

The US already has notoriously strict borders for some, but they are now tightening their rules a little more. They are dropping the instant approval Esta and you will have to apply for an Esta at least 72 hours before departure.  More information will be required and you will have the option to add your social media handles to the application. If you have also previously had any form of conviction you will most likely need to visit the US embassy to get a visa since your Esta is unlikely to be approved.  The Esta costs £11 and will last 2 years.

China

China, also known for its tricky visa application, is making changes to the process; you will now need to visit one of their four visa centres based in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh to have your fingerprints taken – as well as applying for an online visa. Not so bad if you live near one of the four, not so much if not. The visa also costs a rather hefty £150 and you must apply at least 8 weeks before you are due to travel. A rule some may be unaware of; if you visit Hong Kong as part of your trip you will need to apply for another visa allowing a second entry to China.

New Zealand

New Zealand has now adopted an Esta-type process called the NZeTA. The application only takes a few minutes and will cost  £6, however it’s advised you submit your application 3 days before departure. This isn’t exactly a stricter rule, rather more a change to the existing one.  If you want to save a bit of money, applying on their app is £4.50 rather than £6 (every little counts), you should also bear in mind that you’ll have to pay approximately £17.50 for a conservation and tourism levy when applying.

Rebecca Kingsley said “It’s really important travellers are aware of these visa changes as it could create real issues if you are visiting these countries without the correct documentation. If you arrive in these countries without the approved applications you will not be allowed past border control and will most likely be sent home. This is especially important considering how expensive trips to the US, New Zealand and China are. If you are refused entry to any country due to not having the correct documentation, you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance for loss of expenses.”