ETIAS launch could be pushed back to 2027
The launch of ETIAS, the electronic travel authorization expected for visa-exempt travelers heading to the Schengen Area, could ultimately be pushed back to 2027.
Fake documents, visa misuse and tighter checks: What Frontex expects at Europe’s borders
In its Annual Risk Analysis 2026/2027, Frontex is not looking only at the number of arrivals at the European Union’s external borders. The EU agency is focusing on a shift in the nature of the pressure, driven by the rollout of the EES, the upcoming launch of ETIAS, fake documents, misuse of airport transit, secondary movements and criminal networks that are adapting more quickly.
UK: Why a visa or ETA can be denied on “public good” grounds
Kanye West, Hasan Piker and Valentina Gomez are among the recent examples of people barred from entering the UK under the country’s discretionary immigration powers. A new House of Commons Library briefing highlights how British authorities can refuse or cancel a visa, entry permission or ETA when a foreign national’s presence is considered contrary to the “public good.”
Russia issued more than 821,000 e-Visas in 2025
Russia issued more than 821,000 unified electronic visas to foreign nationals in 2025, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Chinese citizens accounted for the largest share by far, ahead of travelers from Saudi Arabia, Germany, Turkey and India.
Ireland: Visas now required for citizens of Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia
As of June 15, 2026, citizens of Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia must obtain a visa before traveling to Ireland. The new requirement also applies to holders of diplomatic and service passports, as well as travelers transiting through Ireland on their way to another destination. Limited transitional arrangements will remain in place until July 14, 2026, for certain trips that were already booked.
Latvia adopts new immigration law, with tighter controls from 2027
Latvia’s Parliament has passed a new immigration law in its final reading, with its main provisions set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The legislation strengthens border controls, clarifies rules for issuing visas and residence permits, tightens oversight of work and study by third-country nationals, and forms part of Latvia’s implementation of the European Union’s new migration and asylum framework.
EES: Up to 41 million arrivals in Europe at risk from border queues, WTTC says
An analysis commissioned by the WTTC estimates that regular waits of three hours or more at Schengen borders could deter some travelers from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia. Up to 41 million arrivals and $45.4 billion in tourism spending could be at risk if such delays became persistent.
UK: ETA portal hit by heavy traffic
The official UK ETA application service has been showing a message since Wednesday indicating that the portal is “currently busy,” with wait times sometimes exceeding one hour. British authorities have not announced any official outage at this stage.
Schengen: Brussels urges nine countries to gradually lift internal border controls
The European Commission has issued opinions on internal border controls reintroduced by nine Schengen countries, including France, Germany and Italy. Brussels acknowledges security and migration concerns, but recommends gradually lifting these measures in favor of alternative tools.
Germany lifts airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals
Starting June 3, 2026, Indian nationals no longer need an airport transit visa to connect through a German airport on their way to a third country.
Ireland to end appeals for most short-stay visa refusals from June 1
Ireland is changing its visa appeals process. Starting June 1, 2026, most refusals of short-stay Type C visas will no longer be eligible for an administrative appeal.
More than 10 million Schengen visas issued in 2025, still well below pre-Covid levels
Short-stay Schengen visa applications rose slightly in 2025. Consulates across the Schengen area received nearly 12 million applications, a figure that remains well below pre-pandemic levels.
Despite a rocky EES rollout, ETIAS is still expected by late 2026
The European Entry/Exit System, known as EES, is now fully in use at the external borders of the Schengen Area, but its operation still varies widely from one border crossing to another. Despite these difficult early stages, the European travel authorization ETIAS remains expected in the final quarter of 2026.
UK: 25.1 million ETAs issued in one year, with Europeans at the forefront
The United Kingdom issued 25.1 million Electronic Travel Authorizations, or ETAs, in the year ending March 2026, according to new statistics released by the UK Home Office.
Schengen: EES gains momentum ahead of ETIAS launch in late 2026
The 2026 State of Schengen report confirms the growing role of new digital tools at Europe’s borders. Following the full rollout of EES in April, the European Union is now preparing for the launch of ETIAS, expected in the final quarter of 2026.
