Just over four months into the rollout of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), early lessons are beginning to emerge, writes Krum Garkov. The EES is part of an ambitious reform. Designed to…
Visa & Immigration Across Europe
Updated 15 March 2026
Visa policy changes, residence permit updates, and immigration news across European countries. Sourced from SchengenVisaInfo, Diário da República, Eurostat, and AIMA.
France Makes Online Visa Appointments Mandatory Worldwide ↗
As of February 20, 2026, travellers who need a French visa must book their appointment online, with walk-ins and informal booking routes removed from the process. France has moved to a mandatory…
Schengen Visa “Small Country Trick” Leads to Refusals, VFS Global Warns UAE Travelers ↗
The “small country trick” that many UAE residents believe allows them to apply to less popular Schengen countries like Luxembourg or Malta to receive visas more quickly has been proven false,…
EU Tightens Visa Rules for Russians, but ‘Golden Passports’ Keep Europe Open ↗
Yesterday, the European Union made the decision to eliminate multi-entry Schengen visas for the majority of Russian citizens, representing a major escalation in travel restrictions against limiting…
EU Implements Ban on Multiple-Entry Schengen Visas for Russian Nationals ↗
BRUSSELS, Nov 7 – The European Commission issued an implementing decision to impose new restrictions for visa applications made by Russian nationals. Effective today (November 07), the European…
Portugal Cancels ALL Work-Seeking Visa Appointments Effective Immediately ↗
As of October 23rd, 2025, due to the introduction of Law No. 61/2025 which fundamentally changes the way that Portugal handles immigration, the Portuguese government has canceled all appointments for…
Seven Kosovo Nationals Stopped at Croatia-Serbia Border for Exceeding Schengen Stay Limits ↗
Seven citizens of Kosovo were arrested this week at the Croatia-Serbia border after officials discovered that they exceeded the allowed stay of 90 days in the Schengen Area within the rolling period…
EU Entry/Exit System Week One: Only 3 Countries Ready, Brussels Sees 3-Hour Queues ↗
Severe technical failures and unprepared travelers have characterized a rocky launch of Europe’s digital border transformation this week, news having spread swiftly over social media of chaotic…
The 3 Best Schengen Calculators for the EES Era: Track 90/180 Days and Prevent Overstays ↗
As of October 12, 2025, the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) officially began operations across Schengen external borders. Non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area now face biometric…
Swiss Schengen Visa Applications in the US Now Through VFS Global ↗
One week after going live, Switzerland’s outsourced intake for Schengen short-stay visas in the United States is fully operational, adding a consistent front-office process across four major cities.…
US Pauses Visa Processing for 75 Countries Starting January 21 ↗
Washington is preparing a temporary halt to visa services covering 75 countries, according to media reports citing an internal State Department memo. Officials have not publicly released final…
Mali responded to the U.S. Department of State’s new visa program by saying it will require American tourists or business travelers who wish to enter the country to deposit a maximum amount of…
Morocco Adds Temporary E-Travel Pass for AFCON 2025 Fans ↗
Starting 25 September 2025, Morocco is introducing a temporary Electronic Travel Authorization, known locally as AEVM, for supporters from eight African countries who plan to attend AFCON 2025…
South Africa Launches AI ETA, G20 Pilot in October ↗
South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber introduced a national Electronic Travel Authorisation to industry leaders, confirming a phased rollout that begins ahead of G20 events. User…
US Imposes $100,000 Annual Fee on H-1B Visas After Trump Order ↗
The White House has moved to overhaul the H-1B system by attaching a $100,000 yearly charge to each sponsored worker. Analysts say the policy could reshape hiring in the technology, finance, and…
China Launches Online Visa Application for US-Based Travelers ↗
Beijing has activated an online system for Chinese visa applications in the United States to speed up processing and attract more visitors. The development is part of a broader reopening push. China…
U.S. Fully Restores Hungary’s Visa Waiver Status, Two-Year ESTA Returns ↗
Washington has restored Hungary’s full participation in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program after Budapest addressed security concerns, ending years of limits on Hungarian travelers. Two-year,…
US Raises ESTA to $40, Adds EVUS and I-94 Fees From September 30 ↗
Beginning September 30, 2025, the United States will implement higher entry-related fees, led by a near-doubling of the ESTA charge. The changes also add a fee to EVUS and raise the cost of the paper…
UK Revokes Record 1,948 Visa Sponsor Licences After Data-Led Crackdown ↗
The UK government says a pivot to intelligence-led compliance has driven record sponsor-licence revocations over the past year, with high-risk sectors under close scrutiny. The Home Office has…
New Zealand Receives Nearly 200 Golden Visa Applications in Just 3 Months ↗
About 200 golden visa applications have been received in New Zealand since April when new changes took effect. Immigration New Zealand announced that it has received 189 applications for the visa…