Category: Immigration updates

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

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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EU to Allow Visa-Free Entry for Citizens of Kosovo With Serbian Passports

In April 2023, the  European Parliament granted visa-free entry to the Schengen zone to citizens of Kosovo beginning January 1, 2024. However, Kosovo citizens who possess passports issued by Serbian authorities, most of whom are Serbs, will not be able to travel to the Schengen area without a visa until they obtain valid and legal…
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Bulgaria’s Schengen Readiness: European Commission Gears Up for Fact-Finding Mission

The European Commission (EC) has announced plans for an upcoming fact-finding mission in Bulgaria, marking a crucial step in evaluating the country’s readiness for Schengen accession. This initiative follows a formal request from the Netherlands, signalling an unprecedented move in the ongoing assessment process. The EC’s spokesperson, Anita Hyper, confirmed the Netherlands’ request for a…
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Hungary Proposes Stricter Guidelines on Employment Migration

The Hungarian government is presenting a comprehensive legislative proposal aimed at refining and defining the legal parameters for residence and employment of foreign nationals within the country. This legislation holds the purpose of precisely delineating who qualifies for residency in Hungary and the duration they are permitted to stay. Residence terms will no longer be…
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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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