visa

Italy accused Switzerland on Tuesday of misusing an agreement facilitating European travel to put pressure on Libya, prompting a Libyan ban on visas for much of Europe.

Libya has suspended the issuing of entry visas to European citizens apart from British nationals, an official at the country's main international airport said on Monday.

The number of foreign students given visas is to be slashed in an attempt to clamp down on widespread abuse of the system.

India and Japan agreed on Tuesday to ease visa rules within a year to boost trade between two of Asia's biggest economies that are also trying to broaden cooperation in defence and nuclear energy.

The new restrictions imposed by India on long-term tourist visas has evoked confusion among visitors and foreign diplomats alike, prompting several countries, including the United States and Britain, to protest against the new rules.

The Honduran de facto government announced Friday that it decided to suspend the agreements with Brazil on visas exemption for holders of Brazilian passports.

Britain has denied Zimbabwe's mines minister a visa for an investment conference, fuelling anger in President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party over continued Western sanctions on its officials.

Continuing its efforts to expedite the revival of the Thai travel and tourism industry, the Royal Thai government has agreed to exempt the fee for tourist visa applications for a three month period, effective 5 March, 2009 to 4 June, 2009.

Economic ministers have resolved to waive visa fees for tourists from all countries for three months to give the tourism industry a much-needed boost.