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Thailand has secured a 30-day visa exemption for Indian tourists to capture the lucrative wedding and celebration market, targeting 2.7 million arrivals by 2027 as competition from Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore intensifies.
The Trump administration has implemented sweeping changes to visa categories for foreign students, journalists and exchange visitors, with particularly stringent limits on Chinese media representatives. The new rules represent one of the most significant reforms to these visa classes in decades.
Despite stricter US visa policies and security concerns, Southeast Asian students remain committed to American universities. Education consultants report most prospective students are proceeding with applications, though families increasingly seek clarity on immigration requirements.
China recorded a record 45.91 million foreign arrivals in the first half of 2026, with visa-free policies driving a 20.6% surge. Malaysia ranks among the top three source countries for inbound visitors to China.