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12 Sep 2024

Spain Tightens Transit Visas for Central Africans

Categories EU

New travel regulations are in effect for passport holders of the Central African Republic (CAR) traveling through Spain. As of August 16, 2024, these individuals require a transit visa to pass through Spanish airports without entering Spanish territory.  

Why the Change?

Spanish authorities implemented this measure in response to concerns that CAR nationals were using airport transit areas to gain irregular entry into Spain and subsequently apply for asylum. This follows similar actions taken earlier in 2024 regarding travelers from Sudan, Chad, Kenya, and Senegal.  

What is a Transit Visa?

A transit visa allows travelers to pass through a specific country’s airport without entering the main territory. In this case, a transit visa for Spain would permit travelers to switch planes at a Spanish airport during their journey.  

Obtaining a Spanish Transit Visa

To obtain a Spanish transit visa, Central African Republic citizens must submit the necessary documentation to the Spanish consulate or embassy located in their home country.  

Criticisms of the New Rule

The Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) has expressed disapproval of the new regulation. CEAR argues that this policy further restricts access to international protection for individuals fleeing conflict zones. The organization emphasizes that the Central African Republic population is currently grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. CEAR contends that such measures prioritize immigration control over human rights considerations.  

Frontex Data on Irregular Migration

Data compiled by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, reveals that between January and June 2024, there were only 16 instances of irregular entry into EU territory by individuals originating from the Central African Republic. These entries primarily occurred along the Central Mediterranean route.  

Beyond Central Africa: Other Countries Requiring Spanish Transit Visas

Nationals from several other African and Asian countries already require transit visas to pass through Spanish airports. This list includes:  

  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia  
  • Ghana
  • Nigeria
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo  
  • Somalia  
  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka  
  • Burkina Faso  
  • Cameroon  
  • Chad  
  • Ivory Coast  
  • Djibouti  
  • Gambia  
  • Guinea  
  • Guinea-Bissau  
  • Kenya
  • Liberia  
  • Mali  
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Senegal  
  • Sierra Leone
  • Sudan  
  • Togo
  • Cuba  
  • Haiti  
  • India  
  • Syria  
  • Tajikistan  
  • Turkey
  • Uzbekistan  
  • Yemen  
  • Palestine

Staying Informed for Smooth Travel

Staying updated on travel regulations is crucial for seamless airport transits. If you are unsure whether you require a Spanish transit visa, consult with the nearest Spanish embassy or consulate for clarification. By understanding these new travel requirements, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience.

12 Sep 2024

EU Travelers Need UK ETA Starting in 2025

Categories EU

Traveling between the UK and EU is about to get a bit more complex. As of April 2025, EU citizens will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the UK. This requirement applies to all EU citizens, including children, and carries a €11 fee. This article unpacks the details of the UK’s ETA system for EU travelers, along with the upcoming implementation of a similar scheme by the European Union.  

Key Takeaways:

Why the Change?

The UK government cites the need for enhanced security checks and immigration control as the reason behind the ETA requirement for EU citizens. This move aims to close a previous gap in advance permissions, allowing authorities a more comprehensive understanding of those entering the UK.  

How Does the UK ETA System Work?

EU citizens can apply for the ETA online starting March 5, 2025. The application process is expected to be streamlined, with ETAs typically issued within three days. Once approved, the ETA remains valid for two years, allowing multiple visits to the UK within this timeframe, provided stays don’t exceed 60 days per visit.  

The EU Responds with Similar Plan

The concept of visa waiver schemes is not new, with countries like the US already implementing such systems. In response to the UK’s ETA requirement, the EU is also planning to introduce a similar authorization system called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). Expected to launch in Spring 2025, the ETIAS will apply to non-EU travelers who currently don’t require visas to enter the EU. Details surrounding the ETIAS, such as cost and validity period, are still being finalized, but estimates suggest a €7 fee and a three-year validity period.  

Staying Informed for Seamless Travel

These upcoming changes to travel regulations between the UK and EU are significant. Staying informed about the application process, fees, and validity periods for both the UK ETA and the EU ETIAS will be crucial for smooth travel experiences.

Traveling between the UK and EU will require some additional planning in the near future. By understanding the details of the new ETA and ETIAS systems, you can ensure your travel plans remain stress-free.

10 Sep 2024

Why Finland is a Top Choice for International Students?

Categories EU

Good news for international students! Finland is processing student residence permits significantly faster than last year, despite a rise in applications. As of July 2024, the average processing time is just 30 days, compared to 38 days in 2023.

Key Points: Finland received 9,293 first-time student residence permit applications by July 2024, exceeding the 2023 figure (8,762). Students from Nepal, Bangladesh, China, India, and Sri Lanka submitted the most applications. Automation has boosted processing efficiency, with 19% of positive decisions automated. Despite faster processing, potential delays may occur due to embassy backlogs, particularly in New Delhi and Abu Dhabi.

Faster Processing Through Automation: The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) attributes the processing speed increase to automation. An automated decision system issues permits automatically if applicants meet all legal requirements. This frees up specialist time for complex applications, improving overall efficiency.

Top Countries Submitting Applications:

Migri data reveals the top countries submitting student residence permit applications:

  • NepalBangladeshChinaIndiaSri Lanka

    • Important Note: While processing times have improved, some international students may face delays due to embassy backlogs in identifying students, particularly in New Delhi and Abu Dhabi. This could lead to application processing extending into August or September, potentially impacting study start dates.

    Learn more about studying in Finland:

    Finnish Immigration Service (Migri)

    03 Sep 2024
    Estonia Rejects Visas

    Nigerian & Pakistani Students Tops Estonia Visa Rejections

    Categories EU 0 Comments

    In a surprising turn of events, the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board has seen a spike in visa rejections for students seeking to study in the country, with the majority of those affected hailing from Nigeria and Pakistan. The University of Tartu, Estonia’s leading educational institution, bore the brunt of these rejections, with a staggering 66 visas—representing nearly 58% of the total denials—turned down.

    Authorities have attributed this surge in visa rejections to concerns over the potential misuse of study visas as a gateway to the European Union. Tiina Nirk, from Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hinted at doubts surrounding the true intentions of many applicants, suggesting that some might be leveraging student visas as a means to migrate to the EU.

    The numbers paint a grim picture for aspiring students from Nigeria and Pakistan. Of the 37 Nigerian applicants, only nine were granted visas, marking a 75% rejection rate. Pakistani students fared somewhat better but still faced significant hurdles, with 34% of their applications denied.

    This tightening of visa regulations has coincided with a broader decline in international student enrollment at the University of Tartu over the past three years. Post-pandemic challenges, visa difficulties, and economic constraints have all contributed to this downward trend. Despite a slight increase in international students this year, the future remains uncertain as many await the outcomes of their visa applications.

    A particularly distressing case involves a group of Pakistani students who were accepted into the prestigious master’s program in Computer Engineering and Robotics at the University of Tartu. With classes set to begin on September 2, these students are stuck in limbo, unable to secure visas due to the absence of an Estonian embassy in Pakistan. Attempts to obtain visas through embassies in Singapore and Turkey have also been unsuccessful, leaving these students and their families facing significant financial losses.

    Having already invested a total of €6,300 in initial deposits, with each student contributing €1,600, these aspiring engineers are now left in a precarious situation. The University of Tartu has stated that refunds will only be issued to those whose visa applications are officially denied by an Estonian embassy, adding further uncertainty to their plight.

    As international students grapple with these challenges, the spotlight is now on Estonia’s visa policies, with many questioning whether these stringent measures will ultimately harm the country’s reputation as a welcoming destination for higher education.

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