Europe News

Europe Visa and Travel News

UK: massive influx on the ETA portal, a digital queue set up

UK: massive influx on the ETA portal, a digital queue set up

Assailed since its opening yesterday to European travelers, the UK ETA system has faced some technical difficulties… To avoid a complete blockage, the authorities have set up a digital queue, slowing down access but ensuring smooth management of requests. Since it opened to European citizens yesterday, the UK’s Electronic Travel

UK: ETA now accessible to European citizens

UK: ETA now accessible to European citizens

As of today, European citizens can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. From April 2, 2025, this new requirement will become compulsory for travel to the country. Today marks another milestone in the reform of UK border controls. As of March 5, 2025, nationals of

Ukraine resumes issuing electronic visas for foreigners

Ukraine resumes issuing electronic visas for foreigners

After a suspension of more than two years due to the conflict in the country, Ukraine has announced that it will resume issuing its electronic visa from February 17, 2025. After more than two years of interruption, Ukraine is relaunching its electronic visa program (e-Visa) as of this February 17,

Russia: a new border checkpoint accessible with an electronic visa

Russia: a new border checkpoint accessible with an electronic visa

Russia today announced the expansion of the list of checkpoints accessible to international travelers with an electronic visa (e-Visa). The Russian government has just added a new checkpoint for entering Russia with an electronic visa (e-Visa), bringing the total number to 105. “Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed a directive

ETIAS vs. EES: Two systems, two different objectives

ETIAS vs. EES: Two systems, two different objectives

In 2025, the European Union will introduce two new systems to strengthen the management of its external borders: EES and ETIAS. The aim is to modernize controls, improve security and facilitate the flow of travelers. Find out what’s going to change and how to prepare. The European Union is preparing

Russia - Belarus: agreement on mutual recognition of visas comes into force

Russia – Belarus: agreement on mutual recognition of visas comes into force

Since January 11, 2025, Russia and Belarus have mutually recognized each other’s visas, allowing foreign travelers to move freely between the two countries on a single visa. On January 11, 2025, the agreement on mutual recognition of visas between Russia and Belarus came into force. This long-negotiated text, finalized in

UK: transit passengers escape ETA (for now)

UK: transit passengers escape ETA (for now)

Good news for travellers transiting through the UK: they will not have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). But bad news for the wallet, the price of the ETA could soon increase… The UK government today announced a temporary exemption from Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for air transit

UK: ETA now mandatory for 48 non-European countries

UK: ETA now mandatory for 48 non-European countries

From today, citizens of 48 non-European countries must have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. The United Kingdom is taking a further step towards tightening its border controls by requiring citizens of 48 non-European countries to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country

Introduction of electronic visa in Belarus

Introduction of electronic visa in Belarus

By 2025, citizens of 67 countries will be able to apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) to travel to Belarus. While the country has just extended its air and land visa waiver policy for European travelers by one year, Belarus is preparing to digitalize its visa formalities. Announced in 2022,

Russia: e-Visa extends to 64 countries and validity may increase soon

Russia: e-Visa extends to 64 countries and validity may increase soon

Citizens of 11 new countries will soon be able to travel to Russia with an e-Visa, whose validity may soon be extended. Over the weekend, the Kremlin announced an extension to the list of countries whose citizens can apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) to enter Russia. Order No. 3583-r,

Over 600,000 ETAs already issued by the UK

Over 600,000 ETAs already issued by the UK

In just one year, the UK has already issued over 600,000 Electronic Travel Authorisations “ETA” to visa-exempt travelers. Since November 27, 2024, citizens of 48 non-European visa-exempt countries have been able to apply for an ETA to travel to the UK. Tourists from the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan now

UK: 48 countries join ETA programme

UK: 48 countries join ETA scheme

Citizens of 48 visa-exempt countries can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK today, but this will become an entry requirement from 8 January 2025.

Russia to collect biometric data of foreign visitors

Russia to collect biometric data of foreign visitors

From December 1, Russia will collect biometric data of its international visitors at Moscow airports. Starting from 1 December 2024, Russia will begin an experimental phase of biometric data collection from foreign nationals and stateless persons entering its territory. This initiative, scheduled to run until June 30, 2026, will initially

UK: French school groups temporarily exempt from ETA

UK: French school groups temporarily exempt from ETA

Children from French schools will be temporarily exempt from the ETA and will be able to continue using their national identity card for school trips to the UK. From April 2, 2025, European travelers exempt from visa requirements will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.