Key facts
- 43% of global air travellers deterred by immigration rules, up from 33% in 2025.
- 49% of Asia-Pacific travellers discouraged by entry requirements.
- 53% of deterred travellers cited complexity of immigration process.
Immigration rules are deterring a growing number of air travellers from visiting certain destinations, according to the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 2026 Global Passenger Survey. The survey found that 43% of global respondents had been put off from visiting destinations by immigration requirements, an increase from 33% in 2025. In the Asia-Pacific region, 49% of passengers reported being discouraged by entry requirements, second only to Africa at 52%.
Travellers cited complexity, privacy, and cost as reasons for being deterred. The survey also highlighted a strong preference for online visa applications, with 60% of respondents favouring digital processes over in-person applications. IATA urged governments to simplify entry requirements and adopt common standards for electronic visas.
Despite these hurdles, Asia-Pacific travellers reported high satisfaction with air travel. The region also showed strong adoption of technology, with 61% of passengers using biometrics at airports and 57% using AI for travel planning.