10 Nations Described as Having Tighter Border Controls

Germany’s Sweeping Border Reintroduction

Since September 2024, Germany has reinstated border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. The main goal is to combat illegal migration and smuggling. This move represents one of the most comprehensive border control actions within the Schengen Area in recent years. These measures are expected to remain in place until at least 15 September 2025. The decision signals Germany’s growing concern about migration pressures and security threats, marking a significant shift from the traditional open-border philosophy of the European Union. Germany’s approach demonstrates how even the most migration-friendly nations can adopt stricter measures when facing overwhelming challenges.

North Korea’s Impenetrable Fortress

North Korea’s immigration and border laws are among the strictest in the world. The government tightly controls both entry and exit, with most citizens prohibited from traveling abroad without state permission. Defectors attempting to flee face severe punishment, including imprisonment or forced labor. Foreigners visiting North Korea are only allowed under highly controlled circumstances, typically through guided tours. Surveillance and military presence along borders, particularly with China, make illegal crossings extremely difficult and dangerous. The hermit kingdom’s border controls aren’t just strict – they’re designed to keep people in as much as to keep others out.

Singapore’s High-Tech Security Network

The Immigration Checkpoint Authority (ICA) has introduced the New Clearance Concept (NCC), which uses digitisation and automation to allow for seamless, secure and efficient immigration clearance. The ICA estimates that, by early 2026, 95% of travellers will be able to clear immigration via automated lanes at Singapore’s checkpoints. ICA has put in place multi-modal biometric clearance systems at the checkpoints to better detect and deny entry to foreigners with multiple identities or impersonated identities. Since July 2020, all automated immigration lanes and manual counters at Singapore’s land, sea and air checkpoints have been equipped with iris and facial scanners. The concurrent use of these two primary biometric identifiers, in addition to fingerprints as a secondary biometric identifier, provides a highly accurate way of authenticating travellers’ identity.

Russia’s Complex Immigration Framework

According to the World Bank, Russia is the second most frequent migrant destination country in the world following the United States, with approximately 12.3 million immigrants who have moved to the country primarily for economic reasons. However, estimates of the size of the illegal immigrant population vary from 1.5 to 15 million people. They introduced stricter migration registration procedures; increased punishments for illegal border crossings, illegal migration organizations, and violations of the rules for stay; and extended the grounds for visa denial to include those individuals who previously violated the country’s immigration laws. The government believes the solution to the illegal migration problem lies in the development of a legislative framework for labor market regulation and migration legislation; increased cooperation with the neighboring states; and the development of the border control infrastructure, especially in the Far East region where Russia borders China, and on the presently porous borders with the former Soviet republics, specifically the borders with Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

Austria’s Strategic Checkpoint Monitoring

Austria is maintaining border checks at its borders with Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia. The measures were introduced in response to active migration routes and are expected to remain in place until at least November 2025. Austria’s position as a key transit country for migrants heading to Western Europe has forced it to implement these controls despite being part of the Schengen Area. The country serves as a crucial bottleneck where migrants from the Balkans attempt to enter Western Europe. These measures reflect Austria’s determination to monitor and control migration flows that have historically challenged European border management systems.

France’s Multi-Faceted Border Strategy

France continues to carry out border checks due to increased terrorist threats and large mass events such as festivals and sporting events. The controls cover the borders with Belgium, Germany, Spain and Italy, as well as key transport hubs. France’s approach combines security concerns with event-based restrictions, showing how modern border control adapts to both traditional security threats and contemporary challenges. The country’s position as a major tourist destination and frequent host of international events creates unique security requirements. French authorities have learned to balance maintaining open borders for legitimate travel while preventing potential security risks during high-profile gatherings.

Netherlands’ Targeted Migration Response

Since 9 December 2024, the Netherlands has tightened controls at its airports, ports and on rail routes due to an increase in the flow of migrants. These measures will remain in place until 8 June 2025, with the possibility of extension depending on the situation. The Dutch approach focuses on key transportation hubs where migrants are most likely to arrive. This strategy demonstrates how smaller European nations must adapt their border control to address specific geographical and logistical challenges. The Netherlands’ decision shows that even traditionally liberal immigration policies can be tightened when migration pressures exceed national capacity to process and accommodate newcomers.

Poland’s Multi-Border Vigilance

Poland has introduced border controls with Lithuania and Germany due to the threat of illegal migration. Checks are carried out selectively at all checkpoints – road, rail, and air. Poland’s strategic position between Eastern and Western Europe makes it a crucial transit point for migrants. The country has experienced significant migration pressures from both traditional routes through Belarus and newer patterns involving other European neighbors. Polish authorities have had to balance their EU membership obligations with national security concerns, particularly given the geopolitical tensions in the region.

China’s Evolving Visa Policies

Despite recent liberalization efforts, China maintains comprehensive border controls. On December 17, 2024, China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) issued the Announcement on Further Relaxing and Optimizing the Visa-Free Transit Policy for Foreign Nationals. Effective immediately, the announcement expands the country’s visa-free transit policy to allow travelers of 54 countries, including the United States, to travel in certain parts of China for 240 hours (10 days), provided they have a connecting ticket with the confirmed departure date and seat number leaving for a third country or region within 240 hours. However, Chinese visas are issued outside China by the Chinese diplomatic missions and in China by the exit and entry administrations (EEAs) of the county-level public security bureaus (PSBs) under the guidance of the National Immigration Administration. China’s system demonstrates how authoritarian governments can maintain tight control while selectively opening for economic benefits.

United Arab Emirates’ Selective Access

In recent years, the UAE has become a popular destination for immigration from Russia. According to statistics, more than 30,000 Russians live in the UAE, most of whom have a residence permit in the country. However, The UAE has strict rules of conduct, especially regarding religious and political expression. The country attracts foreign citizens due to its favorable economic climate, low taxes, high-level infrastructure, as well as comfortable living and a high level of security. In addition, immigration to the UAE requires significant financial costs. The UAE’s approach combines economic openness with social and political restrictions, creating a unique model of selective immigration that prioritizes wealthy migrants while maintaining strict cultural and behavioral controls.

Bhutan’s Fortress of Happiness

Bhutan regulates and monitors all travel into the country very closely. It’s one of the world’s most isolated nations and didn’t open its borders to tourism until 1974. Its citizenship laws are similarly strict. The Bhutan Citizenship Act states that for a person to be granted citizenship at birth, both parents must be Bhutanese citizens. Foreign-born individuals with no Bhutanese parents can apply after 20 years of living in Bhutan (15 for government workers). Requirements to become a naturalized citizen include taking an oath of allegiance to the king, the country, and the Bhutanese people. If a person is caught speaking against the king or country, citizenship can be taken away. Bhutan’s model prioritizes cultural preservation and national sovereignty over economic growth through immigration, representing perhaps the world’s most restrictive yet sustainable approach to border control.