3 Asian Nations Release Official Lists of 'Outer' Countries That Can Enter Visa-Free in 2026

• 3 Asian countries have updated their entry frameworks for international travellers, detailing specific visa-free stay limits
• The visa-waiver agreements grant entry to select global passport holders for tourism, business, and transit
• While Nigeria is not directly on these lists, the update is highly relevant to Nigerians holding dual citizenship with eligible nations

Three of East Asia’s largest economies; South Korea, Japan, and China, have released updated frameworks detailing which citizens of foreign nations can enter their territories without a visa.

The updated schedules outline varying stay durations, ranging from short-term transits to multi-month visits, based on reciprocal agreements and unilateral policies.

Below is the breakdown of the visa-free guidelines issued by these three Asian powerhouses.

1. South Korea releases list of visa-exempted countries

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea have updated their entry framework, allowing ordinary passport holders from 62 eligible jurisdictions to enter the country visa-free.

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Under South Korea’s reciprocal visa-waiver agreements, authorised stay durations are strictly categorised across 30, 90, and 180 days:

1. Australia (90 days)

2. Austria (90 days)

3. Bahrain (30 days)

4. Belgium (90 days)

5. Brunei (30 days)

6. Bulgaria (90 days)

7. Canada (180 days)

8. Colombia (90 days)

9. Croatia (90 days)

10. Cyprus (30 days)

11. Czech Republic (90 days)

12. Denmark (90 days)

13. Estonia (90 days)

14. Fiji (30 days)

15. Finland (90 days)

16. France (90 days)

17. Germany (90 days)

18. Greece (90 days)

19. Hong Kong (90 days)

20. Hungary (90 days)

21. Iceland (90 days)

22. Ireland (90 days)

23. Israel (90 days)

24. Italy (90 days)

25. Japan (90 days)

26. Kiribati (30 days)

27. Kuwait (30 days)

28. Latvia (90 days)

29. Liechtenstein (90 days)

30. Lithuania (90 days)

31. Luxembourg (90 days)

32. Macao (90 days)

33. Malta (90 days)

34. Marshall Islands (30 days)

35. Micronesia (30 days)

36. Monaco (30 days)

37. Nauru (30 days)

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38. Netherlands (90 days)

39. New Zealand (90 days)

40. Norway (90 days)

41. Oman (30 days)

42. Palau (30 days)

43. Poland (90 days)

44. Portugal (90 days)

45. Qatar (90 days)

46. Romania (90 days)

47. Samoa (30 days)

48. San Marino (30 days)

49. Saudi Arabia (30 days)

50. Singapore (90 days)

51. Slovakia (90 days)

52. Slovenia (90 days)

53. Spain (90 days)

54. Sweden (90 days)

55. Switzerland (90 days)

56. Taiwan (90 days)

57. Tonga (30 days)

58. Tuvalu (30 days)

59. United Arab Emirates (90 days)

60. United Kingdom (90 days)

61. United States of America (90 days)

62. Vatican City (30 days)

For many of these visa-free entries, travellers are required to obtain a Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) before boarding.

2. Japan list countries with visa-free entry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has confirmed reciprocal visa exemption arrangements for 74 countries and regions to facilitate easier travel for tourism, commercial visits, and social exchanges.

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Under the current policy, the permitted duration of stay varies depending on the traveller's nationality:

1. Andorra
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Austria
5. Bahamas
6. Barbados
7. Belgium
8. Brazil
9. Brunei
10. Bulgaria
11. Canada
12. Chile
13. Costa Rica
14. Croatia
15. Cyprus
16. Czech Republic
17. Denmark
18. Dominican Republic
19. El Salvador
20. Estonia
21. Finland
22. France
23. Germany
24. Greece
25. Guatemala
26. Honduras
27. HongKong
28. Hungary
29. Iceland
30. Indonesia
31. Ireland
32. Israel
33. Italy
34. Korea, Republic of
35. Latvia
36. Lesotho
37. Liechtenstein
38. Lithuania
39. Luxembourg
40. Macao
41. Malaysia
42. Malta
43. Mauritius
44. Mexico
45. Monaco
46. Montenegro
47. Netherlands
48. New Zealand
49. North Macedonia
50. Norway
51. Oman
52. Panama
53. Paraguay
54. Peru
55. Poland
56. Portugal
57. Qatar
58. Romania
59. San Marino
60. Saudi Arabia
61. Serbia
62. Singapore
63. Slovakia
64. Slovenia
65. Spain
66. Suriname
67. Sweden
68. Switzerland
69. Taiwan
70. Thailand
71. Tunisia
72. Türkiye
73. United Arab Emirates
74. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

3. China list countries with visa-free entry

The Chinese National Immigration Administration, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has published an official list of 50 nations cleared for unilateral visa-free entry. This measure is part of Beijing's ongoing push to boost international tourism and ease global business travel.

The full list of countries whose citizens are eligible for the unilateral visa-free entry includes:

Read also

List of countries Ghanaians can visit without visa

1. Andorra
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Austria
5. Bahrain
6. Belgium
7. Brazil
8. Brunei Darussalam
9. Bulgaria
10. Canada
11. Chile
12. Croatia
13. Cyprus
14. Denmark
15. Estonia
16. Finland
17. France
18. Germany
19. Greece
20. Hungary
21. Iceland
22. Ireland
23. Italy
24. Japan
25. Kuwait
26. Latvia
27. Liechtenstein
28. Luxembourg
29. Malta
30. Monaco
31. Montenegro
32. Netherlands
33. New Zealand
34. North Macedonia
35. Norway
36. Oman
37. Peru
38. Poland
39. Portugal
40. Romania
41. Russian Federation
42. Saudi Arabia
43. Slovakia
44. Slovenia
45. Spain
46. Sweden
47. Switzerland
48. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
49. Uruguay
50. Republic of Korea

The Dual-Citizenship Hook: What This Means for Nigerians

Although ordinary Nigerian passport holders are not included on these visa-free lists and must still apply for standard visitor visas through the respective embassies, these updates are highly beneficial to Nigerians holding dual citizenship.

Nigerians who have relocated and obtained secondary passports from eligible nations, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, or EU member states, can take full advantage of these streamlined entry policies. By using their foreign passports, dual-citizen travellers can explore South Korea, Japan, and China without the need for lengthy pre-departure visa applications.

UK shares fee waiver opportunity

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the UK government outlined how eligible foreign partners could secure permanent residency after the death of their loved one.

Authorities explained that qualifying applicants could submit settlement applications without waiting for their existing visas to expire first.

Source: Legit.ng