Southeast Asia Embraces Visa-Free Entry for Easier Travel

Several Southeast Asian countries have eased visa rules over the past year, helping drive a strong rebound in international tourism and making travel in the region simpler for foreign visitors. According to regional data, countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia have introduced or extended visa-free entry, e-visas and new long-stay options aimed at tourists, business travellers and remote workers. Vietnam recorded a record 21.2 million foreign arrivals in 2025, up more than 20 percent year-on-year. Tourism authorities have linked the growth to wide-ranging visa reforms, including extended visa-free access for citizens of multiple European and Asian countries and an expanded e-visa system covering more international entry points. Malaysia, meanwhile, received more than 38 million visitors, making it the most visited country in Southeast Asia. The country has extended visa exemptions for Chinese travellers and continued to simplify entry procedures as part of its tourism recovery strategy. The Philippines introduced a digital nomad visa allowing foreign remote workers to stay for up to one year, with the option to renew, while also resuming e-visas for Chinese nationals and introducing short-term visa-free entry for selected markets. Indonesia expanded its visa-free entry list in mid-2025, allowing short stays for tourism and business from additional countries. Across the region, governments say the visa changes are designed to boost tourism revenues, support economic recovery and make Southeast Asia more competitive as a destination for international visitors.