15 Urgent Visa Changes Every Traveler Needs to Know Before Booking This Year

9. Stricter Scrutiny for "Overstay" History: Your Past Matters More

Immigration authorities worldwide are increasing scrutiny of applicants' past travel history, particularly any instances of overstaying a previous visa. Even a short, unintentional overstay from years ago can result in significant delays, denials, or future travel bans for the specific country or even regional blocs (like Schengen). Travelers must be scrupulously honest about their travel history and address any past issues proactively with documentation, as their digital footprints are now more easily traceable across borders.