Category: ETIAS

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

Venice’s New Tourist Tax This April

Venice is facing an overwhelming influx of tourists, with approximately 30 million visitors each year descending upon the city’s historic centre, which is home to fewer than 50,000 residents.  This massive tourism surge has led to negative impacts such as rising rents, overcrowded streets, and a decline in the quality of life for locals who…
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Digital France Schengen Visas For Olympics Games 2024

France has shifted its visa processes online and is aiming to grant around 70,000 visas to applicants for Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024. Since January 1, 2024, France has initiated the issuance of Digital Schengen visas, becoming the first country to hand out these visas in the European Union. This move precedes the anticipated complete…
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EU Updates Schengen Borders Code

The European Union Parliament, in conjunction with the Council of the EU presidency, has successfully negotiated an updated Schengen Borders Code, marking a significant step towards reinforcing seamless movement within the Schengen area. The reform aims to strengthen free movement within the Schengen area, clarify rules, and reduce the amount of temporarily reinstated border controls…
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Switzerland Eases Air and Sea Travel Regulations with Bulgaria and Romania

The Federal Council of Switzerland has recently declared a significant policy shift, announcing the discontinuation of passport checks at its airports for passengers arriving from Bulgaria and Romania, effective March 31, 2024. This move follows the EU’s decision to lift border controls by air and sea for Bulgaria and Romania however controls will remain in…
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EU’s New Entry/Exit Scheme Finally Gets 2024 Launch Date

The European Union’s much-delayed Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) is due to start on 6 October 2024. The launch has been postponed multiple times as EU countries struggled to integrate their border systems with the central EES database. The new border system is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each…
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