Border rules that changed this year, and three deadlines before 2027

Most border rules stay the same for years. A few changed this autumn, and three end-of-year deadlines could change your plans for trips in early 2027. Each item below links to the page with the full rule, its official source and the date we checked it.

Short version: budget for Kenya's new compulsory insurance, fill in arrival forms for South Africa, Taiwan and India before you fly, and if you're travelling to China or South Korea in January, check whether their visa-free and K-ETA exemptions have been extended.

Changed in 2026

Kenya: compulsory travel health insurance since 5 October. Most visitors staying under 12 months must have Kenyan Government-provided health insurance. You buy it as part of the eTA application, or through the eCitizen portal if you already have an eTA. Your own travel insurance doesn't replace it. It's valid for 90 days and multiple entries. Kenya entry requirements

Thailand: visa-free stays cut to 30 days. Since 15 September, the visa-exempt stay for tourists is 30 days, down from 60. You also need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, filed online within 72 hours before arrival. Thailand entry requirements

South Africa: an online traveller declaration. Since 1 July, everyone entering or leaving South Africa must submit an online traveller declaration before travelling. South Africa entry requirements

Arrival cards elsewhere. Taiwan's arrival card (TWAC) is filed online within 3 days before you arrive. India requires an e-Arrival Card, which you can complete up to 72 hours before landing; it isn't a visa. Taiwan · India

Australia: no nicotine pouches. Since 24 July, nicotine pouches can't be brought into Australia, even with a prescription. The Australian Border Force seizes them. Nicotine rules for Australia

United Kingdom: a separate vaping allowance. You can now bring up to 50 ml of vaping liquid duty-free. Above that, tax and duty are due on all of it, not just the extra. Vape rules for the UK

Hong Kong: vapes in public. Bringing e-cigarettes or heated tobacco into Hong Kong was already banned. Since 30 April, possessing them in a public place is an offence too. Vape rules for Hong Kong

Deadlines to watch

United States, 12 November and 11 December: hemp CBD. Under federal law, hemp CBD with no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC isn't marijuana. From 12 November, products with cannabinoids a cannabis plant can't produce naturally no longer count as hemp; from 11 December the rest of the new definition applies, including a cap of 0.4 mg total THC per container. CBD rules for the US

China, 31 December: the visa-free policy's end date. China's Foreign Ministry says its unilateral visa-free policy, which lets many passports stay up to 30 days, runs until 31 December 2026. If it isn't extended, those travellers will need a visa again. China entry requirements

South Korea, 31 December: the K-ETA exemption. Twelve of the passports we cover, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, France and Germany, don't need a K-ETA until 31 December 2026 (Korean time). After that, unless it's extended, you'll need one before departure. South Korea entry requirements

Mongolia, end of 2026: the 30-day tourist exemption. Mongolia's temporary visa exemption for tourists from 34 countries runs until the end of 2026. Mongolia entry requirements

We'll update each page as soon as an official source confirms an extension or a change. The change log lists every update, with its source.