Category: Asia Pacific

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

EU Commission Proposes Advancing Visa Facilitation for Türkiye

The European Commission has presented a proposal to further streamline Schengen visa procedures for Türkiye. In a comprehensive report addressing the political, economic, and trade ties between the European Union and Türkiye, its emphasis is on the pivotal role of visa facilitation in fostering increased interactions between their people. Highlighting the necessity of finding common…
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EU Adapts Regulations for Acquiring Long-Term Resident Status

EU Adapts  Regulations for Acquiring Long-Term Resident Status

The European Union has recently amended its guidelines within the EU Long-Term Residents Directive, outlining the prerequisites for third-country nationals to obtain long-term resident status within member states. The proposed amendments include a more flexible approach to residency requirements, targeted integration measures, and enhanced intra-EU mobility. These changes are expected to benefit millions of third-country…
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China Announces Visa-Free Travel to 5 EU Countries

China is set to open its doors to citizens from five European nations, granting them visa-free access starting December 1, 2023, until November 30, 2024. In a bid to boost business and tourism, China plans to grant visa-free access to travellers with passports from five EU countries namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.…
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Japan and UK Expands Working Holiday Scheme

The governments of Japan and the United Kingdom (UK) have confirmed an agreement to expand their respective working holiday schemes. The deal was announced as UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met with Japanese officials at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, ahead of the G7 meeting in the city. Under this…
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Russian Visitors Granted 90 Days Visa-Free In Thailand

From November 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024, Thailand will grant Russian tourists a 90-day visa-free stay, an extension from the previous 30-day limit. The move comes as tourists from the country have had increasingly few options for travel, given Moscow’s war on Ukraine, the impact of sanctions, travel restrictions, and a weakening ruble. Thailand’s…
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