Southeast Asia’s visa-free travel: a magnet for tourists – and trouble

“I just had to show my passport when I crossed the border,” the fresh university graduate told This Week in Asia, describing her seamless four-day trip with a friend.

Since February, Chinese travellers have enjoyed visa-free access to Singapore, reciprocated by a 30-day pass for Singaporeans visiting China. This arrangement places them alongside citizens from the US, UK, and other Asean member states who benefit from similar travel privileges.

Visa-free travel has sparked a wave of exploration across Southeast Asia, where tourism is proving essential for economies still recovering from the pandemic – prompting many governments to relax long-standing immigration restrictions.