Ecuador has announced the immediate cancellation of visa-free airport transit privileges for citizens of 45 countries. Under the new directive, travellers from these countries must now obtain a Visa de Transe?nte (Transit Visa) before passing through Ecuadorian airports?even if they remain in the airport?s international zone and do not enter the country.

The policy affects passengers making stopovers in Ecuador en route to destinations in the Americas and beyond.

Here is the full list of countries now required to apply for a transit visa:

1. Nigeria

2. Ghana

3. India

4. Pakistan

5. Bangladesh

6. Afghanistan

7. Egypt

8. Sudan

9. Syria

10. Yemen

11. Ethiopia

12. Eritrea

13. Somalia

14. Democratic Republic of Congo

15. Republic of Congo

16. Cameroon

17. Liberia

18. Sierra Leone

19. Guinea

20. Guinea-Bissau

21. The Gambia

22. Senegal

23. Togo

24. Benin

25. Mali

26. Niger

27. Burkina Faso

28. Chad

29. Central African Republic

30. Angola

31. Mozambique

32. Zimbabwe

33. Zambia

34. Rwanda

35. Burundi

36. Uganda

37. Algeria

38. Morocco

39. Tunisia

40. Venezuela

41. Haiti

42. Cuba

43. Nepal

44. Myanmar

45. Philippines

Ecuadorian immigration authorities say the change is aimed at tightening transit regulations and addressing rising security concerns linked to irregular migration. Travellers from these countries are advised to contact the nearest Ecuadorian embassy or consulate before booking any flight transiting through Ecuador. (The Guardian)

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