Imperial Citizenship’s Post

The European Union has announced relaxed visa rules for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain. As part of the EU's efforts to strengthen ties with GCC countries, nationals from these three countries can now enjoy multi-entry visas valid for five years, facilitating easier and more frequent travel to the EU. This significant policy update was revealed at the EU-GCC High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in Luxembourg, attended by prominent leaders including Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. This move is part of the EU's "Strategic Partnership with the Gulf" and is seen as a precursor to potential Schengen waiver agreements. It marks a key milestone in enhancing people-to-people connections and reflects a harmonized approach to visa regulations across GCC countries.#EUVISA #GCC #SaudiArabia #Oman #Bahrain #TravelSimplified #EUTravel #MultiEntryVisa #EU_GCC_Forum #RegionalSecurity #StrategicPartnership #PeopleToPeopleConnections

🇨🇳China's Notice on Pilot Visa-Free Policy for 🇬🇷Greece/🇨🇾Cyprus ！ Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRC 30 September 2024 09: 45 To further promote exchanges between Chinese and foreign personnel, China has decided to expand the scope of visa-free countries and trial the visa-free policy for holders of ordinary passports from Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Slovenia. From October 15, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from the above countries can enter China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for no more than 15 days. Those who do not meet the conditions for visa exemption still need to get a visa to China before entering the country.

Schengen visa process in 2024 : Book appointment > Process supporting documents > Submit application > Track application > Retrieve passport after embassy decision

Starting from November 2024, Europe will introduce a new system called the EES (Entry/Exit System) to manage border controls. If you're a foreigner with a second home in France, this will change how you cross the Schengen area borders. Instead of getting your passport stamped, you'll need to scan it at an automatic kiosk each time you enter or leave. The first time, they will also take your fingerprints and a photo. If you have a residence permit in France, like a carte de séjour, you'll be exempt from this system. In 2025, another system called ETIAS will be launched. If you're from a visa-exempt country, like the UK or the US, you'll need to apply for an online authorisation before travelling to Europe and pay around €7. However, if you live in France or another EU country, you won’t need to do this.

🌍✈️ Big news for travellers to Kosovo and visitors to the EU! 🤝 As of 1 January 2024, Kosovo passport holders will now be able to travel to the EU without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This not only makes it easier for Kosovo citizens to travel to Europe, but also the other way round: EU citizens can now visit Kosovo without a visa. This development is part of a broader agreement to ensure visa-free travel to the EU for all citizens of the Western Balkans. Background: The EU co-legislators approved the visa waiver proposal in April 2023. Decisions to grant visa waiver are preceded by a thorough legislative procedure involving the European Parliament and the Council. Decisions will be taken on the basis of considerations of irregular migration, public order and security, economic benefits, in particular tourism and foreign trade, as well as human rights and reciprocity. New decisions on visa exemption are usually followed by bilateral negotiations on a visa waiver agreement. 🤝🌐 Have fun and enjoy the new opportunities! 🌟  #VisaFreeTravel #EU #Kosovo #workpermit #residencepermit #relocation

Since March of this year, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil have introduced the option of paying the application fee (MRV) via Pix. In addition to this method, applicants still have the option of payment by credit card or in cash. Between January and March 2024, the number of visas processed by the United States in Brazil grew by 20 percent compared to the same period last year. This increase is the result of our commitment to providing an increasingly better consular service. In 2024, we expect to break the record of 1.1 million visas issued in Brazil in 2023. Learn more https://ow.ly/bExn50RjUT3 #BrazilUSCham #Brazil #USA Via U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil

According to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to further promote exchanges between Chinese and foreign citizens, China has decided to expand the range of visa-free countries. Citizens holding ordinary passports from New Zealand, Australia and Poland will be eligible for a trial visa-free policy. From July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 citizens from these countries holding ordinary passports can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for up to 15 days. Those who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to obtain a visa before entering China.

NEWS ASIA EU eases Schengen visa rules for Indians allowing validity up to 5 Years The EU has announced a significant relaxation of Schengen visa rules for Indian travelers, allowing frequent visitors to obtain multi-entry visas for up to five years. Under the new 'cascade' regime, Indian nationals can qualify for a two-year visa after using two visas within three years, followed by a five-year visa. This decision aims to enhance people-to-people contacts and strengthen relations between the EU and India. The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries and the new rules signify a deepening partnership between the EU and India.

Last year, 1.6 million Schengen visa applications were rejected (AXA Schengen). Let's make sure yours dont fall in that list! Check out these tips!✈️ #FahedTourism #FahedTourismQatar #Qatar #Doha #SchengenVisa #VisaTips #VisaApplication #TravelEurope #VisaGuide #TravelAdvice #EuropeanTravel #VisaSuccess #Schengen

It's not easy to stay optimistic, particularly with current headlines, but in case you missed it here are a few positive changes that 2024 has already brought: 🌈 Same-sex couples in Estonia have been able to marry as of 1st Jan this year. 🇧🇬 🇷🇴 Bulgaria and Romania will partially join Europe’s Schengen Area from March 31, meaning that border checks will cease for any air or sea-based travel between Bulgaria, Romania and other Schengen Area countries. 🇮🇹 🇺🇦 Italy has automatically extended the validity of all Temporary Protection Status permits until December 31, 2024. Holders of temporary protection status permits will also be able to apply for national work permits assuming that eligibility criteria are met. 🇹🇷 Foreign nationals from Bahrain, Canada, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States can now travel to Türkiye visa-free for 90 days within any 180-day period for tourist/business purposes. #GlobalMobility #immigration