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BETWEEN VISAS AND TOURISM: SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION, ANALYSIS, AND

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

EDGAR ROMARIO ARANIBAR RAMOS

romario.aranibar@usp.br

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de

Arequipa, Peru. Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Master’s student in Tourism

Development at the University of São Paulo, São Paulo (Brazil).

THIAGO ALLIS

thiagoallis@usp.br

Bachelor’s degree in Tourism from the University of São Paulo Master’s degree in Latin American

Integration from the University of São Paulo, and PhD in Architecture and Urbanism in the field of

Urban and Regional Planning (FAU-USP), with an interest in topics related to tourism, tourism

planning, urban tourism, and mobilities. Currently, Associate Professor (MS.3-2) in the Leisure

and Tourism Programme at the School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities of the University of São

Paulo, EACH-USP (Brazil)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between visa policies and tourism, highlighting their

relevance for global mobility and economic development. It aims to identify patterns and

trends in scientific research on the topic, analysing how visa policies affect tourism flows and,

consequently local economies. The methodology includes a bibliometric analysis of scientific

production between 2000 and 2023, using Scopus, WoS and SciELO. The results highlight that

visa policies have a significant impact on tourism, with implications for perceptions of safety,

equity of access and sustainability. The implementation of technologies such as e-visa

improves efficiency and user experience, although challenges remain in their widespread

adoption. This analysis provides key information for designing more inclusive and effective

public policies aimed at enhancing the benefits of global tourism while minimising its

inequalities and adverse effects.

Keywords

Visa Policies, SDG 8.9 - Sustainable Tourism, Bibliometric Analysis, International Human

Mobility, Public Policies.

Resumo

Este estudo examina a relação entre as políticas de visto e o turismo, destacando sua

relevância para a mobilidade global e o desenvolvimento econômico. Seu objetivo é identificar

padrões e tendências na pesquisa científica sobre o tema, analisando como as políticas de

visto afetam os fluxos de turismo e, consequentemente as economias locais. A metodologia

inclui uma análise bibliométrica da produção científica entre 2000 e 2023, usando Scopus,

WoS e SciELO. Os resultados destacam que as políticas de visto têm um impacto significativo

no turismo, com implicações para as percepções de segurança, equidade de acesso e

sustentabilidade. A implementação de tecnologias como o visto eletrônico melhora a eficiência

e a experiência do usuário, embora ainda haja desafios para sua adoção generalizada. Essa

análise fornece informações importantes para a elaboração de políticas públicas mais

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2

November 2025-April 2026, pp. 405-428

Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research

Edgar Romario Aranibar Ramos, Thiago Allis

406

inclusivas e eficazes destinadas a aumentar os benefícios do turismo global e, ao mesmo

tempo, minimizar suas desigualdades e efeitos adversos.

Palavras-chave

Vistos, ODS 8.9 – Turismo Sustentável, Análise bibliométrica, Mobilidade humana

internacional, Políticas públicas.

How to cite this article

Ramos, Edgar Romario Aranibar & Allis, Thiago (2025). Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific

Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research. Janus.net, e-journal of international relations.

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, November 2025-April 2026, pp. 405-428. DOI https://doi.org/10.26619/1647-

7251.16.2.22

Article submitted on 7th January 2025 and accepted for publication on 1st August 2025.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

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November 2025-April 2026, pp. 405-428

Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research

Edgar Romario Aranibar Ramos, Thiago Allis

407

BETWEEN VISAS AND TOURISM: SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION,

ANALYSIS, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

EDGAR ROMARIO ARANIBAR RAMOS

THIAGO ALLIS

Introduction

In today’s interconnected world, international mobility has become a cornerstone of

socio-economic growth and cultural exchange (Aranibar & Olarte, 2025). Within this

landscape, visa policies are far more than administrative procedures; they operate as

pivotal instruments shaping tourist flows, cross-border interactions, and the global

dynamics of human movement. Yet, the central problem persists: how can governments

promote international tourism as a driver of development while simultaneously

addressing pressing concerns of security, public health, sustainability, and migration

control? This tension underscores the need for a deeper and more systematic analysis of

the field.

Tourism, widely recognised as both an economic engine and a cultural phenomenon, has

consistently demonstrated its capacity to generate employment, foster investment, and

strengthen intercultural understanding. Policies of visa liberalisation and exemption

programmes have stimulated arrivals and created tangible benefits for host economies

(Whyte, 2008; Recchi et al., 2021; Abuhjeeleh, 2019). At the same time, restrictive or

poorly calibrated measures risk producing adverse effects: they may heighten social

inequities, exacerbate irregular migration, or strain destination infrastructures. Previous

research (Neumayer, 2010; Song et al., 2012; Czaika & Neumayer, 2017) has shed light

on these benefits and limitations, but further research is required to assess how these

dynamics vary across contexts and to determine strategies that balance economic, social,

and security imperatives.

Against this backdrop, the guiding research question of this paper is: what are the main

patterns, trends, and thematic orientations of scientific production on visa policies and

tourism, and what implications can be drawn for future research and policymaking? To

answer this question, the study pursues three specific aims: first, to quantify and

categorise the volume of academic output on the subject; second, to identify the

dominant themes, methodologies, and disciplinary affiliations; and third, to evaluate the

theoretical and practical contributions of this body of research.

Methodologically, the paper employs a bibliometric analysis combined with a systematic

review of publications indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO between 2000 and

2023 in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Following the PRISMA framework, the process

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

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November 2025-April 2026, pp. 405-428

Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research

Edgar Romario Aranibar Ramos, Thiago Allis

408

ensured the rigorous identification, screening, and synthesis of relevant studies. Data

analysis was supported by bibliometric tools such as Bibliometrix and VOSviewer,

enabling the mapping of research streams and thematic interconnections.

The significance of this work lies in its contribution to a more comprehensive

understanding of how visa policies intersect with tourism, informing the design of

inclusive, efficient, and context-sensitive policies. By revealing both the strengths and

the limitations of existing research, this paper advances scholarly debates while offering

practical insights for policymakers, international organisations, and tourism managers

concerned with mobility governance.

The remainder of the paper is structured as follows. The theoretical framework situates

visas within broader discussions of tourism, mobility, and regulation. The methodology

section details the bibliometric and systematic review approach. The results are

presented through quantitative and qualitative analyses of the literature, followed by a

discussion that contextualises these findings within academic and policy debates. The

paper concludes by outlining the main implications, limitations, and potential avenues for

future research.

Theoretical Framework

International tourism is a multidimensional phenomenon deeply conditioned by the

regulatory frameworks of host countries, among which visa policies play a decisive role

(Aranibar, 2024). By determining travellers’ entry for purposes ranging from leisure and

education to business and family reunification, visas not only shape the volume of arrivals

but also influence their origin, duration of stay, and overall economic contribution.

Restrictions such as excessive requirements, lengthy bureaucratic procedures, or high

processing fees act as barriers that constrain mobility and generate asymmetries in global

travel opportunities (Karaman, 2016; Artal-Tur et al., 2016). Conversely, innovations

such as electronic visas (e-visas) have reduced administrative burdens, improved

perceptions of security, and facilitated broader access to destinations (Recchi et al.,

2021).

Despite these advances, a review of academic databases reveals a scarcity of studies

that explicitly examine the nexus between tourism and visa policies. Among this limited

body of work, Young et al. (2023) highlight the case of a Liberian patient whose access

to treatment for advanced head and neck cancer was severely delayed by the

complexities of the U.S. visa process. Beyond the immediate health consequences, this

case illustrates how restrictive regimes can undermine equity and efficiency in the

delivery of cross-border services, raising ethical and administrative dilemmas that extend

beyond medical tourism. Such examples underscore the broader challenge of ensuring

that visa systems do not reproduce global inequalities by privileging certain categories

of travellers while systematically disadvantaging others.

Although some previous studies have addressed specific aspects—such as medical

tourism, labour mobility, or regional waiver programmes—there remains a lack of

integrative research that comprehensively analyses how visa regimes shape international

tourism. Addressing this gap requires moving beyond technical descriptions of entry

requirements and situating visas as political and social mechanisms that structure global

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2

November 2025-April 2026, pp. 405-428

Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research

Edgar Romario Aranibar Ramos, Thiago Allis

409

mobility. In this sense, incorporating perspectives from international relations, public

policy, and law becomes essential for understanding how visas function as instruments

of diplomacy, sovereignty, and governance, not merely as administrative tools.

Indeed, visa frameworks often reflect broader geopolitical logics. Initiatives such as the

Schengen Agreement in Europe (Wellings, 2022), or MERCOSUR’s Residence Agreement

in South America (Rivarola, 2021), exemplify how states use visas to negotiate

reciprocity, integration, and security. These cases show that liberalisation or restriction

policies transcend their immediate effects on tourism flows, operating as signals of

political alignment, cooperation, or exclusion (Anastasiadou, 2011). The absence of such

interdisciplinary approaches in the literature limits our understanding of the deep

interconnections between tourism, mobility, and the international system.

In that line, technological innovations are reshaping the governance of mobility. The

integration of digital platforms, big data, and predictive analytics into visa systems offers

governments new opportunities to anticipate tourist behaviours, enhance border

security, and streamline entry processes (Alauddin & Hassan, 2021). E-visa platforms,

biometric identification, and AI-driven risk assessments represent a convergence

between e-government and e-tourism that can expand accessibility while simultaneously

raising questions of privacy, surveillance, and digital inequality (Adukaite et al, 2014).

These developments confirm that visa policies must increasingly be analysed not only

through the lens of tourism management but also within broader debates on technology,

governance, and human rights.

Taken together, this theoretical framework positions visa policies as complex and

multifaceted instruments at the intersection of tourism, governance, and global mobility.

By bridging disciplinary gaps and highlighting emerging challenges, it establishes the

conceptual basis for analysing the scientific production on visas and tourism, thereby

illuminating both the opportunities and limitations that these regimes present for more

inclusive and sustainable forms of international travel.

Method

This study employed a bibliometric analysis using a systematic approach to explore the

scientific output on the impact of visa policies on tourism. This method allows for the

identification of trends, publication patterns, and key contributions within the field, as

indicated by Page et al. (2021). The PRISMA method was implemented to conduct a

detailed process of identification, selection, evaluation, and synthesis of relevant studies,

following the approach used in similar studies, such as those by Hermosa and Arco (2023)

and Quispe et al. (2023). Table 1 provides further details about the procedures.

The document search was conducted in three internationally recognised databases:

Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and SciELO, targeting publications in English, Spanish,

and Portuguese from 2000 to 2023. The strings employed were “visa AND touris*”, “visa

AND turis*”, and “visto AND turis*” to the title fields, yielding a total of 33, 22, and 1

documents, respectively, prior to the removal of duplicates and the application of

inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search results are detailed in Table 1, which includes

a description of the selected documents by database, publication type, and analysed

indicators.

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Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research

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Table 1. Search Criteria and Analysis Parameters

Database

Scopus

Web of Science

ScIELO

Language

English, Spanish, Portuguese

Analysis Period

2000 – 2023

Consultation Date

16 September 2024

Document Types

Scientific articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters

Source Type

Any indexed source

Search Field and

Terms

TITLE (visa AND touris*) OR TITLE (visa AND turis*) OR TITLE (visto AND

turis*)

Results

23 articles

5 book chapters

2 conference papers

3 review articles

Total: 33

19 articles

1 news item

1 conference paper

1 review article

Total: 22

1 article

Total: 1

Bibliometric

Indicators

Quantity Indicators:

- Annual scientific output

- Scientific output by country

- Productivity by institution type

Impact Indicators:

- Most cited contributions

- Impact factor of journals with the highest publication

Quality Indicators:

- Keywords and relation to other topics

- Main research streams or trends (thematic map)

Source: Own elaboration.

Table 1 summarises the methodology used for searching and classifying the documents.

From a total of 33 records obtained in Scopus, 22 in WoS, and 1 in SciELO, scientific

articles, book chapters, and conference contributions were identified. This table also

outlines the bibliometric indicators employed: quantity indicators, such as annual

scientific output and productivity by institution type; impact indicators, including the

most cited contributions and the impact factor of the journals; and quality indicators,

such as the relationship between keywords and emerging thematic trends.

Figure 1 illustrates the systematic review process through a PRISMA flow diagram. This

process began with 56 records, which, after rigorous screening based on relevance,

duplicate removal, and accessibility, resulted in a final set of 27 documents. The

screening stage involved reviewing titles and abstracts to ensure thematic consistency

with the study’s objective. Subsequently, an exhaustive evaluation of the selected

documents was carried out to determine their eligibility and relevance.

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

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November 2025-April 2026, pp. 405-428

Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research

Edgar Romario Aranibar Ramos, Thiago Allis

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Figure 1. PRISMA Flow Diagram on Tourism and Visas

Source: Own elaboration.

Specialised tools such as Bibliometrix and VOSviewer were utilised for data analysis,

enabling the mapping of key research streams and thematic interconnections. These tools

facilitated the examination of quantity, impact, and quality indicators, providing a

comprehensive overview of the dynamics within the field of study and their implications

for future research.

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Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research

Edgar Romario Aranibar Ramos, Thiago Allis

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The combination of Table 1 and Figure 1 ensures a thorough representation of the

methodological process, allowing for the replication and validation of the results obtained.

This systematic approach guarantees that the findings significantly contribute to the

understanding of the intersections between visa policies and tourism.

Results

Quantitative Meta-Analysis: 2000–2023

The quantitative synthesis of the 27 studies published between 2000 and 2023 reveals a

diversified distribution of research efforts across six thematic categories (see Table 2:

Thematic Categorization). Impact of Visa Policies on Tourist Flows emerges as the

dominant area of inquiry, representing approximately 51% of the sample. Within this

category, studies such as Chi et al. (2022) and Yudhistira et al. (2021) consistently report

increases in arrivals ranging from 5% to 25% following visa liberalisation measures. The

evidence demonstrates not only a significant positive elasticity of demand to visa

exemptions, but also heterogeneous effects: while non-traditional destinations often

benefited most, traditional hubs occasionally experienced diversion effects, illustrating

the complexity of policy outcomes.

Technology and Visa Processes represents approximately 11% of the corpus, with studies

focusing on the digitisation of visa services. The works from Bangladesh (Akhter et al.,

2020; Alauddin & Hassan, 2021) report measurable improvements in processing times

and tourist satisfaction following the adoption of online systems, while Adukaite et al.

(2014) provide comparative data on the completeness and accessibility of visa

information across 165 national tourism offices. Quantitatively, these contributions

indicate that digitalisation reduces bureaucratic barriers, potentially broadening inbound

flows by improving information quality and transaction efficiency, though significant

variation persists between developed and developing contexts.

A further 11% of the reviewed studies fall under Visa Policies Related to Tourism and

Health. Quantitative evidence here is particularly salient in the context of medical tourism

and public health management. Young et al. (2019) document the growing demand for

medical visas to the United States, while Weinberg et al. (2016) identify tuberculosis

transmission risks among temporary visa holders employed in the U.S. tourism industry.

Earlier findings from India (Chinai & Goswami, 2007) estimate the rising contribution of

medical tourism to national GDP, with projections tied directly to the facilitation of visa

access. These results confirm that health-related visa frameworks constitute both an

economic opportunity and a regulatory challenge, especially in balancing patient mobility

with public health safeguards.

Regarding Migration and Tourism, accounts for around 11% of the reviewed works.

Quantitative assessments within this group, particularly in the United States, Australia

and Portugal, highlight the extent to which visa-dependent programmes structure labour

markets in tourism. For example, Terry (2018) reports recurrent patterns of precarity

among J-1 and H-2B visa holders, while Robertson (2016) quantifies the overlapping

contributions of student and labour mobility through the 417 and 485 visas in Australia.

Together, these findings emphasise that migration-related visas sustain critical segments

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Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research

Edgar Romario Aranibar Ramos, Thiago Allis

413

of the tourism workforce, though often under uneven and vulnerable conditions, which

in turn affects productivity and service quality in destination economies.

The category Tourism and Security Issues comprises 8% of the total, with a marked

emphasis on the dual role of visas as facilitators and barriers under conditions of

perceived risk. Kolker and Platzer (2021), for instance, estimate that nationals from Visa

Waiver Program countries contributed nearly USD 190 billion to the U.S. economy,

underscoring the magnitude of security-related visa facilitation. Complementarily, Cheng

(2012) demonstrates that demand in Hong Kong is highly sensitive not only to visa

policies but also to external shocks such as SARS, where the impact of health security

concerns outweighed economic variables. This category quantifies the delicate balance

between liberalisation and control, with evidence pointing to both large gains and

significant vulnerabilities.

Finally, Economic Implications accounts for 8% of the studies, consolidating research

that directly measures macroeconomic impacts of visa policies. Pham et al. (2018)

estimate that a rise in visa fees for Chinese tourists would generate GDP losses exceeding

potential revenue gains, with the elasticity of demand demonstrating a stronger negative

effect than projected fiscal recovery. Similarly, Li and Song (2013) apply econometric

models to show that restrictive visa measures during the Beijing Olympics produced

unexpected negative economic externalities, contradicting the expected tourism boom.

Together, these results provide robust quantitative evidence that poorly calibrated visa

regimes can generate long-term inefficiencies and undermine the strategic role of tourism

as a driver of national growth.

In terms of research provenance, the countries that contribute most significantly to the

study of the relationship between visas and tourism are the United States, South Korea,

and the United Kingdom, accounting for approximately 60% of the reviewed publications.

Authors from the United States lead in studies on the economic effects of visa

liberalisation on international tourist flows, while South Korea focuses on reciprocity

agreements and their impact on regional tourism. The United Kingdom, in turn,

contributes research exploring the relationship between tourism accessibility and security

perceptions, a key topic in the post-pandemic scenario. Other countries such as Spain,

Australia, and Indonesia have also made significant contributions in this area, examining

both the economic and social and cultural effects of visa policies.

Moreover, there is a relatively stable trend in scientific production on visas and tourism

over the past five years, especially between 2019 and 2023. During this period, studies

have increasingly adopted quantitative approaches and broad data analyses to better

understand how visa exemption policies affect tourist behaviour and the local economies

of tourist destinations. This trend reflects a continued interest in balancing the benefits

of simplified access with the need to ensure security and sustainability, adapting to

current challenges in international tourism.

Table 2. Thematic Categorazition

Title

Authors

Impact of Visa Policies on Tourist Flows

Regional visa-waiver program for open tourism development

Kim, T., Bae, E., & Kim, D. (2023).

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Edgar Romario Aranibar Ramos, Thiago Allis

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Visa waivers, multilateral resistance and international

tourism: some evidence from Israel

Beenstock, M., Felsenstein, D., & Rubin,

Z. (2015)

Causal effect of tourist visa exemption schemes on

international tourist arrivals

Chi, P.-Y., Lee, K.-C., & Chang, K.-I.

(2022).

Heterogeneous effects of visa exemption policy on

international tourist arrivals: Evidence from Indonesia

Yudhistira, M., Sofiyandi, Y., Indriyani,

W., & Pratama, A. P. (2021).

“Your papers for a tourist visa”: A literary-biographical

consideration of isaac bashevis singer in Warsaw, 1923-1935

Stromberg, D. (2021).

Visa-free travel to sri kartarpur sahib: Historic pilgrimage and

religious tourism from indian punjab to Pakistan punjab

Chawla, T., Hassan, R., & Kaur, D.

(2020).

The Impact of Tourist Visas on Intercontinental South-South

Migration: Ecuador’s Policy of “Open Doors” as a Quasi-

Experiment

Freier, L., & Holloway, K. (2019)

The role of visa exemption in Chinese tourists’ decision-

making: a model of goal-directed behavior

Song, H., Lee, C.-K., Reisinger, Y., & Xu,

H.-L. (2017)

Do travel visa requirements impede tourist travel?

Lawson, R., & Roychoudhury, S. (2016)

The pernicious impact of visa restrictions on inbound tourism:

the case of Turkey

Karaman, A. (2016)

Examining the impact of visa restrictions on international

tourist flows using panel data

Artal-Tur, A., Pallardó-López, V., &

Requena-Silvente, F (2016)

The ideologies of national security and tourist visa restrictions

Webster, C., & Ivanov, S. (2016)

Would a single regional visa encourage tourist arrivals in

southern Africa?

Douglas, A., Lubbe, B., & Kruger, E.

(2012)

The impact of visa-free entry on outbound tourism: A case

study of South Korean travellers visiting Japan

Lee, C.-K., Song, H.-J., & Bendle, L.

(2010)

Technology and Visa Processes

Technology Application for Visa and Immigration for Tourists

in Bangladesh+B24

Akman, E., Karaman, A., & Kuzey, C.

(2021)

Visa and Immigration for Tourists in Bangladesh

Akhter, N., Hassan, A., & Alauddin, M.

(2020)

When e-gov deals with tourists: The case of visa information

Adukaite, A., Gazizova, E., & Cantoni, L.

(2014)

Visa Policies Related to Tourism and Health

Review of inbound medical tourism and legal details of

obtaining a visa for treatment of head and neck cancer

Young, L., Vimawala, S., Ahmad, N.,

Kushnir, V., Bonawitz, S., Brody, J.,

Enriquez, M., & Koshkareva, Y. (2019)

Tuberculosis among temporary visa holders working in the

tourism industry — United States, 2012–2014

Weinberg, M., Cherry, C., Lipnitz, J.,

Nienstadt, L., King-Todd, A., Haddad, M.

B., Russell, M., Wong, D., Davidson, P.,

McFadden, J., & Miller, C. (2016)

Medical visas mark growth of Indian medical tourism.

Chinai, R., & Goswami, R. (2007)

Migration and Tourism

Mobility through investment: Economics, tourism, or lifestyle

migration? Narratives of Chinese and Brazilian golden visa

holders in Portugal

De Fatima Amante, M., & Rodrigues, I.

(2022)

Precarity and guest work in U.S. tourism: J-1 and H-2B visa

programs

Terry, W. (2018)

Intertwined Mobilities of Education, Tourism and Labour: The

Consequences of 417 and 485 Visas in Australia

Robertson, S. (2016)

Tourism and Security Issues

Adding countries to the visa waiver program: Effects on

national security and tourism

Kolker, A., & Platzer, M. (2021)

Tourism demand in Hong Kong: Income, prices, and visa

restrictions

Cheng, K. (2012)

Economic Implications

The economic impacts of a changing visa fee for Chinese

tourists to Australia

Pham, T., Nghiem, S., & Dwyer, L.

(2018)

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Economic impacts of visa restrictions on tourism: A case of

two events in china

Li, S., & Song, H. (2013)

Source: Own elaboration.

Table 3 presents an annual breakdown of scientific production on tourism and visas

between 2007 and 2023. Over these years, variability in the number of publications is

observed, with periods of high and low production reflecting the fluctuating interest of

the academic community in this field of study. Since 2007, when two publications were

recorded, interest remained moderate, with significant peaks in 2016 and 2021, when 8

and 4 articles were published, respectively. This increase could be associated with

changes in international policies or events that directly impacted mobility and tourism,

such as the tightening or easing of visa issuance in various regions of the world.

Table 3. Annual Scientific Production on Tourism and Visas

2007

2010

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Source: Own elaboration.

Although the years 2020 and 2021 coincided with the height of the COVID-19 pandemic

and severe disruptions to international mobility, the four works published in 2021 (n=4)

do not explicitly address pandemic-related restrictions or recovery strategies. Instead,

their thematic orientations show continuity with pre-existing lines of research. For

example, Yudhistira et al. (2021) measured heterogeneous effects of visa exemptions in

Indonesia, Stromberg (2021) offered a literary-biographical reflection on mobility

barriers in interwar Europe, Alauddin and Hassan (2021) examined digital innovations in

Bangladesh, and Kolker and Platzer (2021) analysed the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in the

context of security, with a short light in health issues. These studies reveal that the

academic production of 2021 did not shift to directly incorporate COVID-19 as an

explanatory framework, but rather extended ongoing debates on flows, governance,

technology, and security. The clustering of publications in this year thus reflects

productivity in established research lines rather than an immediate response to the

pandemic.

By contrast, the single paper published in 2023 illustrates a different dynamic. Its focus

on a regional visa exemption programme in Jeju demonstrates that scholarly attention

remained concentrated on the structural and long-term effects of visa facilitation rather

than short-term pandemic contingencies (Kim et al., 2023). The decline to one

publication may therefore be interpreted less as a sign of “post-pandemic stabilisation”

and more as an indication of thematic reorientation towards context-specific policy

experiments and regional governance frameworks. The absence of direct engagement

with COVID-19 between 2021 and 2023 underscores that, despite the pandemic’s evident

disruption of tourism, academic research on visas did not immediately integrate this

factor into its analytical core. Instead, the field appears to have prioritised structural

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

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Between Visas and Tourism: Scientific Production, Analysis, and Implications for Research

Edgar Romario Aranibar Ramos, Thiago Allis

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questions of accessibility, technology, labour, and security, leaving the pandemic as a

contextual backdrop rather than a central object of study.

Table 4 highlights the institutions and authors with the highest production in tourism and

visa-related topics. The university with the most contributions is The Hong Kong

Polytechnic University, with a total of two publications attributed to the author Lee, C.,

who appears to be one of the most active academics in this field. This institution, along

with others such as Clemson University and Kyung Hee University, represents a

significant source of knowledge in the domain of tourism and visas, specifically in the

United States, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

Table 4. Leading Producers in Tourism and Visa Research

Highest Production

No.

Institution(s)

Author(s)

Country(ies)

Source

The Hong Kong

Polytechnic

University (2)

Lee, C. (2) | School of

Tourism and Entertainment,

Kyung Hee University

(South Korea)

United States of

America (7)

Tourism

Geographies (2)

Clemson University

(2)

Hassan, A. (2) | The

Tourism Society (United

Kingdom)

Hong Kong (5)

Journal of Travel

Research (2)

Kyung Hee

University (2)

-Aluddin, M. (2) |

Department of Business

Administration, International

Islamic University

Chittagong (Bangladesh)

South Korea (3)

Tourism

Economics (2)

City University of

Hong Kong (2)

Song, H. (2) | College of

Tourism and Fashion, Pai

Chai University (South

Korea)

United Kingdom (3)

Annals of Tourism

Research (2)

Clemson University

(2)

Bangladesh (2)

International

Islamic University

(2)

Turkey (2)

Australia (2)

Source: Own elaboration.

The analysis of these results indicates that research on tourism and visa policies is

relatively dispersed rather than concentrated, with no single institution or author exerting

clear dominance. Each of the universities and scholars listed with two contributions

represents about 7.40% of the total corpus, while those with three contributions account

for 11%, and the highest producers, with five and seven works respectively, represent

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18% and 25.93%. This distribution shows that although there are recurrent contributors

such as Lee, Song, Hassan, and Alauddin, academic production is spread across

institutions in Asia, the United States, and other regions. In terms of disciplinary

affiliations, the leading authors are rooted primarily in tourism, hospitality, and business

administration, but notably, the field of international relations is absent, despite its

evident relevance for analysing mobility, sovereignty, and cross-border governance. The

journals where these works are published, such as Tourism Geographies, Journal of

Travel Research, and Tourism Economics, emphasise quantitative and policy-oriented

analyses centred on tourist flows, visa restrictions, and economic impacts. Taken

together, these patterns suggest that the corpus, while modest in volume, is plural in

institutional and regional representation, yet still narrow in disciplinary scope, leaving

space for a stronger incorporation of perspectives from international relations, public

policy, and law.

Table 5 displays the studies that have had the greatest impact in the field of tourism and

visas, measured by the number of citations received. The Hong Kong Polytechnic

University once again leads in this area, with research by authors such as Goswami, R.,

achieving up to 116 citations. This high level of impact suggests that the research from

this institution has significantly influenced the field, possibly due to the relevance of its

findings for visa policy and its implications for tourism.

Table 5. Highest Impact in Tourism and Visa Research

Highest Impact

No.

Institution(s)

Author(s)

Country(ies)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (86)

Goswami, R.

(116)

Hong Kong (145)

Suleyman Sah University (82)

Chinai, R. (116)

United States of

America (119)

Marmara University (82)

Lee, C. (90)

South Korea (90)

Massey University (82)

Balli, H. (82)

United Kingdom (44)

Hang Seng Management College (82)

Balli F. (82)

Turkey (22)

Most Influential Articles

No.

Title

Author(s)

Citations

Medical visas mark growth of Indian medical tourism

Chinai, R.

Goswami, R

116

Impacts of exported Turkish soap operas and visa-

free entry on inbound tourism to Turkey

Balli, F., Balli, H.,

Cebeci, K.

Tourism demand in Hong Kong: Income, prices, and

visa restrictions

Cheng, K.

The role of visa exemption in Chinese tourists’

decision-making: a model of goal-directed behavior

Song, H., Lee,

C., Reisinger, Y.,

Xu, H.

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Economic impacts of visa restrictions on tourism: A

case of two events in china

Li, S., Song, H.

Source: Own elaboration.

The analysis of these results shows that influence in tourism and visa research is not

measured only by the number of publications but also by their citation impact, with the

numbers in parentheses indicating the total citations attributed to each institution,

author, or country. For example, Goswami and Chinai’s joint work on medical visas has

accumulated 116 citations, making it the most influential contribution in the field, while

Balli et al.’s study on Turkish soap operas and visa-free entry has 82 citations, and

Cheng’s work on Hong Kong tourism demand has 59. This distribution suggests a

relatively dispersed field where no single actor dominates, as institutions such as The

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Suleyman Sah University, Marmara University, Massey

University, and Hang Seng Management College.

On the other hand, Figure 2 presents a mapping of the main research themes in tourism

and visas, categorised using relevant keywords. This diagram illustrates the connections

between key terms such as "visa liberalisation," "tourism demand," "visa restrictions,"

"tour operator," and "borders," which cluster to represent different research foci in this

area. The visualisation identifies relationships between concepts and how they group into

various themes, offering a structured view of the predominant and emerging topics at

the intersection of tourism and visa policies.

Figure 2. Themes in Tourism and Visas Based on Keywords

Source: Own elaboration

The keyword mapping reflects a thematic organisation highlighting several areas of focus.

Terms such as "visa liberalisation" and "visa restrictions" are central themes strongly

connected to "tourism demand" and "international tourism", indicating academic interest

in how visa policies directly influence tourism demand. Visa liberalisation policies and

travel restrictions are analysed in the context of their impact on international tourist flows

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and destination accessibility, particularly in countries like China and Bangladesh, which

are mentioned in the diagram.

Other terms such as "borders" and "travel" suggest the connection between mobility and

the physical and regulatory boundaries faced by tourists, while terms like "tour operator"

suggest a focus on the actors who facilitate or mediate the travel experience within the

context of visa restrictions. Additionally, keywords related to econometric and analytical

models, such as "gravity model" and "co-integration analysis", indicate the use of

advanced quantitative tools to study tourism demand and flow dynamics.

Specific topics such as "visa-free travel" and "visa exemption" demonstrate interest in

the effects of visa exemptions on tourism, particularly in emerging markets and

destinations aiming to enhance their appeal through more flexible access policies. The

combination of these keywords highlights the complexity of the interactions between

tourism, mobility, and regulation, as well as the growing interest in travel facilitation

policies that seek to balance security and accessibility to maximise tourism's economic

impact.

Qualitative Meta-Analysis: Emerging Themes in Visas and Tourism

Analysing predominant themes and their trends is particularly relevant in bibliometric

studies, as it enables an understanding of the evolution and connections within a field of

research (Trip et al., 2021). In this context, the thematic development within this area

of knowledge is discussed below.

Impact of Visa Policies on Tourist Flows

Visa policies represent a critical element in the international mobility of tourists and the

configuration of global tourist flows. Previous studies show that these policies significantly

influence the number of international arrivals and the choice of tourist destinations. Visa

restrictions, which increase the cost and time required to obtain entry permits, can act

as barriers for potential tourists, discouraging travel to countries with more restrictive

policies. This particularly affects economies that rely on tourism as a source of income

(Chi et al., 2022; Yudhistira et al., 2021; Stromberg, 2021). According to Song et al.

(2017) and Artal-Tur et al. (2016), it is estimated that visa restrictions reduce bilateral

tourist flows by an average of 40%, while their absence can increase flows to alternative

destinations by 17%.

The impact of visa policies also depends on the region and economic context. In OECD

countries, the implementation of visa exemptions has been shown to contribute to

increased arrivals and tourism revenue, although this relationship is not always linear.

Chi et al. (2022) and Freier and Holloway (2019) highlight that factors such as the quality

of tourism services and the perception of safety play a key role in tourists’ final decision-

making. In developing countries, such as Ecuador, the opening of borders for tourism

has brought economic benefits but also challenges, including an increase in irregular

migration. This indicates that, in some cases, visa exemptions must be implemented

cautiously to balance the benefits of tourism with local security concerns (Chawla et al.,

2020; Webster and Ivanov, 2016).

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National case studies provide evidence of the heterogeneous effects of visa policies. In

Indonesia, for example, visa exemptions have shown varied effects depending on the

country of origin of tourists and specific destinations within the country. This increase

was notably higher in less traditional destinations and among tourists from developed

countries, suggesting the need for tailored strategies to maximise the benefits of such

policies (Yudhistira et al., 2021; Freier and Holloway, 2019). Similarly, the Chinese and

Korean markets demonstrate that the expectation of visa exemptions can influence travel

intentions, encouraging visits to destinations with flexible access policies. This

underscores the importance of combining visa exemption policies with promotional

campaigns and improvements in tourism service infrastructure to optimise their

economic impact (Lawson and Roychoudhury, 2016; Lee et al., 2010).

In addition to general visa policies, visa waiver programmes emerge as a crucial tool for

facilitating tourism from specific nationalities and mitigating traditional barriers that limit

the flow of international visitors. These programmes, by reducing costs and simplifying

entry procedures, have proven effective in generating significant increases in tourist

arrivals. A notable example is Israel, where partial and full visa waivers increased tourism

by 48% and 118%, respectively, demonstrating how the removal of restrictions can

catalyse tourism and thereby contribute to the economic development of strategic

destinations (Beenstock et al., 2015).

In the context of specific regional programmes, the visa waiver programme in Jeju, South

Korea, stands out as a unilateral initiative applied solely to this region. Implemented to

boost tourism in Jeju, this programme allowed visa-free access for tourists from certain

countries, with a positive impact on tourism demand for the island. The data reflect how

such programmes, when aligned with regional development policies, can significantly

increase visits, despite challenges such as the need for direct flights to the destination or

visa-free transit policies at selected airports to facilitate access (Kim et al., 2023).

At the regional level, initiatives such as the unified visa for the Southern African

Development Community (SADC) have been proposed to facilitate cross-border tourism

and simplify the entry process. Inspired by the Schengen visa system, this policy could

reduce barriers and boost tourism in less developed countries, where international tourist

flows remain low due to factors such as perceived insecurity and limited infrastructure

(Douglas et al., 2012). These schemes not only promote bloc-wide tourism but also

facilitate trade and other cross-border interactions that can generate significant economic

and social benefits for local communities.

Similarly, the case of visa waiver programmes in Europe, such as the Schengen

Agreement, demonstrates how coordinated and multilateral policies can foster not only

tourism but also economic development and regional integration. By eliminating border

controls between member countries, Schengen has promoted the free mobility of people,

goods, and services, establishing itself as a reference model for removing barriers to

tourism and trade on a larger scale (Beenstock et al., 2015).

The relationship between South Korea and Japan is a clear example of the benefits of

visa waivers in a high-demand context. Following the implementation of the visa waiver

in 2006, the number of South Korean visitors to Japan increased by 25% in the second

year, resulting in a significant increase in tourism sector revenues. This exemplifies the

economic potential of such policies in established tourism markets and reinforces the

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importance of analysing their impact in each context to maximise their benefits (Lee et

al., 2010; Karaman, 2016).

In this way, the elimination or simplification of visa policies can serve as a strategic tool

to promote international tourism. However, their effectiveness depends on a

comprehensive approach that considers security factors, infrastructure, and destination

image. Countries with well-planned visa strategies can benefit significantly but must

consider the particularities of their context and adapt their promotion and management

policies to maximise the economic and social potential of tourist flows (Studzińska, 2014;

Balli et al., 2013).

Technology and Visa Processes

The integration of advanced technologies in visa processes has been essential for

improving efficiency and accessibility in international mobility, with significant

implications for tourism. Akhter et al. (2020) argue that e-Government and e-Tourism

platforms, which facilitate the electronic management of visa procedures, have

significantly simplified tourist access to various destinations by reducing time and entry

requirements. In this regard, Adukaite et al. (2020) add that tourism websites in various

countries provide detailed information on visa applications, including steps, timelines,

and required documents. This digitalisation has improved the relationship between

tourists and governmental authorities, enabling more effective travel planning by making

information accessible from anywhere.

The quality of the information provided on these websites is a critical aspect for the

success of e-Visa systems, as a clear and comprehensive presentation of requirements

directly influences the tourist’s experience and perception of the destination. Alauddin

and Hassan (2021) emphasise that quality information on digital channels helps

overcome linguistic and cultural barriers, which is essential for hassle-free access. The

ease of applying for a visa online and obtaining permission without needing to visit an

embassy represents progress not only in terms of accessibility but also in optimising the

resources of authorities.

Moreover, the use of big data and predictive analytics in visa technology systems enables

governments to anticipate tourist behaviour patterns and adjust their policies and

services in real time (Akhter et al., 2020). These advanced tools facilitate more secure

and efficient management of tourist flows, helping to balance accessibility with security.

In this context, Adukaite et al. (2020) note that the digitalisation of visa processes within

the realm of e-Tourism fosters a convergence of user-oriented technological and

governmental efforts, with the potential for global expansion towards more accessible

and secure tourism.

Visa Policies Related to Tourism and Health

The intersection between visa policies and medical tourism plays a crucial role in

accessing specialised healthcare treatments. It is highlighted that international patients

face numerous obstacles in the process of obtaining medical visas, often delaying access

to urgent treatments. Young et al. (2019) discuss an illustrative case in which a patient

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from Liberia with advanced head and neck cancer had to overcome complex legal and

administrative barriers to receive treatment in the United States, underscoring the need

to simplify processes to facilitate quicker access to international medical care.

In addition, visa policies related to public health have been adapted in some countries to

address the transmission of infectious diseases. According to the policy analysis of tourist

destinations by Weinberg et al. (2016), certain countries have implemented medical

examination requirements as a prerequisite for obtaining visas. This approach aims to

mitigate the risks associated with communicable diseases, though the inconsistent

application of these policies has limited their effectiveness. Notably, the need for a

coordinated international framework to ensure uniform health checks for travellers is

emphasised.

Furthermore, medical tourism has also been promoted as an economic development

strategy in countries that have adopted specific medical visas. These visas, designed to

facilitate the entry of patients seeking advanced treatments, have been successfully

implemented in countries such as India, attracting thousands of medical tourists

annually. However, Chinai and Goswami (2007) point out that, while these policies

generate significant revenue, their impact on the equity of the local healthcare system

remains a matter of debate, as access for the local population could be affected in favour

of medical tourists.

Economic Implications

Visa policies have a direct impact on national economies, particularly in sectors reliant

on tourism. According to Pham et al. (2018), increases in visa fees can deter tourists,

negatively affecting the gross domestic product (GDP) of host countries. An example is

Australia, where the implementation of multiple-entry visas with high fees led to a 21%

decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, resulting in significant economic losses that exceeded

the revenue generated by visa fees. This case underscores the need for balanced visa

policies that maximise revenue without compromising tourist demand.

International events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics highlight the complex interactions

between visa policies and economic benefits. During this event, visa restrictions

significantly reduced tourism revenue, causing losses of approximately $964 million (Li

and Song, 2013). However, easing visa policies can reverse these trends, as projections

indicate that relaxing restrictions could lead to a significant increase in global tourism

and generate billions in additional revenue. These findings emphasise the importance of

designing visa policies that balance mobility facilitation with security, thereby optimising

economic benefits for host economies.

Tourism and Security Issues

International tourism depends not only on open and facilitative migration policies but

also on the perception of safety in tourist destinations. Security policies associated with

visa waiver programmes, such as the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in the United States,

are notable for their dual benefits: promoting tourism while maintaining high security

standards. According to Kolker and Platzer (2020), the VWP imposes stringent security

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requirements, such as the mandatory use of electronic passports and participation in

information-sharing systems on terrorism and crime via INTERPOL. This dual function

aims to balance tourism promotion with protection against potential threats.

On the other hand, Cheng (2012) highlights that the perception of risk is a crucial

determinant of tourism demand, particularly following events such as terrorist attacks or

health crises. The implementation of visible security measures, such as biometric controls

and pre-travel checks, can alleviate tourists' fears and foster greater confidence in

destinations. This is especially relevant in contexts where tourism is a major source of

income, such as Hong Kong, which has implemented specific policies to ensure tourist

safety while promoting economic growth in the sector.

Migration and Tourism

The relationship between migration and tourism has been reinforced by temporary

mobility programmes that integrate work, study, and travel, reshaping labour and social

dynamics in host countries. In Australia, for example, temporary work visas such as

categories 417 and 485 allow young people to work, study, and travel, generating

intersections between tourism and migration policies where work and educational

experiences contribute to broader economic goals, such as labour diversification and

regional tourism growth (Robertson, 2016). In the United States, programmes such as

J-1 and H-2B visas have been essential to meeting seasonal demand in the tourism

industry, particularly in hospitality and entertainment. However, these programmes have

been criticised for producing precarious labour conditions, including low wages and

limited access to social benefits. In this context, Terry (2018) stresses the importance of

a more balanced approach that protects workers’ rights while addressing the economic

needs of the tourism sector. The growing reliance on migrant labour raises further

questions about how visa policies can adapt to meet market demands without

undermining equity and community cohesion.

Alongside these schemes, privileged mobility programmes such as Portugal’s golden visas

illustrate another dimension of the migration–tourism nexus, where residency permits

are granted to individuals with substantial economic capital through real estate

investment. As Amante and Rodrigues (2020) argue, these programmes not only

promote elite migration but also stimulate residential and cultural tourism in key

destinations such as Lisbon and Porto. This phenomenon highlights how international

mobility is increasingly oriented towards the pursuit of desired lifestyles, reflecting the

complexity of motivations that underpin contemporary migration. Together, these cases

reveal the dual role of visa frameworks: on one hand, sustaining critical labour segments

in tourism through temporary and seasonal schemes, and on the other, promoting elite

forms of mobility that reconfigure urban spaces and local economies.

Discussion and Conclusions

The bibliometric review of scientific production on visa policies and their impact on

tourism revealed significant insights into how mobility regimes shape international tourist

flows and the socio-economic dynamics of destinations. The evidence shows that visa

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exemptions and facilitation programmes consistently stimulate arrivals, with countries

such as Israel and South Korea reporting notable increases in revenues after adopting

more flexible entry schemes. These findings confirm that easing entry requirements can

function as a powerful policy instrument for boosting tourism competitiveness. At the

same time, however, they also highlight inherent risks. Destinations that liberalise access

without parallel investments in infrastructure, environmental management, or cultural

preservation face the danger of overcrowding, resource depletion, and weakened cultural

sustainability. This indicates that the benefits of visa liberalisation are highly contingent

on the capacity of destinations to integrate facilitation policies with responsible tourism

planning.

A second contribution of the study lies in highlighting the transformative role of

technology in visa processes. E-visa platforms, big data, and predictive analytics have

significantly improved the efficiency of managing tourist flows, offering more secure and

user-friendly experiences. These developments illustrate how the convergence between

tourism management and digital governance is reshaping mobility practices. Yet, the

results also reveal that technological adoption is uneven across regions, raising questions

of equity in access. Moreover, visa programmes such as temporary work visas and golden

visas demonstrate that, while economically beneficial, they often exacerbate inequalities

by privileging certain groups of travellers or investors, thereby reinforcing socio-

economic asymmetries within tourism systems.

Building on these findings, the paper suggests that future research should strengthen

interdisciplinary approaches that bridge tourism studies with international relations,

public policy, and law. Such integration would provide a more comprehensive

understanding of how visas operate simultaneously as instruments of tourism

management and foreign policy. Policymakers are encouraged to design visa frameworks

that balance openness with sustainability, prioritise inclusivity, and incorporate

technological tools responsibly.

This study is not without limitations. The reliance on bibliometric methods, while useful

for identifying patterns and trends, does not capture the full complexity of policy

implementation at the national or regional level.

In conclusion, visa policies emerge as complex governance tools at the intersection of

mobility, security, and development. Their potential to promote tourism growth is

evident, but their effectiveness ultimately depends on context-sensitive strategies that

reconcile economic objectives with social equity and sustainability. By mapping the state

of knowledge on visas and tourism, this study contributes to advancing both scholarly

debates and the formulation of more inclusive and effective mobility policies for the

future.

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