Category: Europe

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

Spain Travel Warning To Tourists Over ‘Blood Rain’

A travel advisory has been issued in Spain due to the occurrence of an atmospheric phenomenon known as Calima, also known as “blood rain.”  Authorities are urging caution, especially for individuals with respiratory problems, advising them to stay indoors, as the airborne particles associated with Calima could pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable individuals. Calima…
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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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Finland Increased Minimum Salary Criteria For EU Blue Cards

The Finnish immigration authorities have introduced revised salary thresholds for Specialist and EU Blue Card permit applications in 2024. These adjusted salary levels apply to both first residence permits and extensions. Failing to meet the new requirements necessitates applying for a residence permit for an employed person, as opposed to a Specialist or EU Blue…
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Biometric Passport Checks Threaten Eurostar Services

The much-delayed post-Brexit EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is due to go into effect in October this year, and Eurostar may be driven to reduce the number of trains because the facilities at London St Pancras have been considered “inadequate” to perform these new checks. The EES is an automated IT system for registering travellers from…
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Germany Approved Simplified Citizenship Rules

German lawmakers have passed a bill that makes the process of obtaining citizenship easier and moved to simplify repatriations. The long-awaited citizenship law reform has cleared the parliamentary process and is expected to be officially signed into law in the coming weeks. The naturalisation reform, approved by the upper house of parliament on 02 February…
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