Starting April 2, 2025, European visitors to the UK must secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit for £10 (12 euros) before travel, rising to £16 after April 9. This security measure, applicable to 30 European countries excluding Ireland, streamlines entry via an online process on gov.uk, aligning the UK with global border trends.
Tag: immigration
Greece recorded the highest rates of first-time asylum applications in Europe at 79.5% according to…
Over 9,000 Golden Visa applications flooded Greece in 2024. Explore the booming demand and processing backlog implications.
Over 1.5 million immigrants in the U.S. have been issued final deportation orders, including 211 Greek nationals. Listed by ICE as foreign nationals with final removal orders, these individuals are not currently in detention. Unlike recent high-profile deportations, Greek nationals are not expected to face forced repatriation under extreme conditions. The move aligns with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies, which prioritized mass deportations from his first day in office.
A Syrian man has been detained in Cyprus without conviction on terrorism-related charges, marking a first under newly invoked legal measures. The Interior Minister has utilized special powers to hold him pending investigation due to his extensive criminal history, which includes arson, drug trafficking, and aiding a jailbreak.
Voridis stated, “We have built the fence, implemented active deterrence, and developed policies for bilateral pushbacks to the extent possible.” He emphasized that Greece could serve as a case study for technically applying such measures, which could be of interest to Trump given his immigration policies during his presidency.
Nick Kyrgios has spoken out against Australia’s treatment of Novak Djokovic, criticizing the handling of the Serbian player’s detention and subsequent deportation. Djokovic, who alleged he was poisoned during his stay in Melbourne, faced visa issues due to his vaccination status. Kyrgios expressed regret over the situation, describing it as unfair, while Djokovic suggested the actions were influenced by concerns over his potential as an anti-vaccination symbol.
New travel requirements are coming for non-EU citizens visiting Europe. The Entry/Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will introduce biometric registration and travel authorizations for short stays. These changes will affect UK passport holders and other visa-exempt travelers, impacting border procedures and potentially creating longer wait times. Learn more about these upcoming changes and how they might impact your European travel plans.
Apocalypto” star Rudy Youngblood is being held in a Greek jail after his visa expired and he was found carrying a pocketknife. The actor claims a language barrier and lack of clear identification by plainclothes police led to his arrest. He now faces deportation
Seventy-four migrants, including individuals from Pakistan, Sudan, and Egypt, arrived at the port of Gavdos on Thursday, requesting assistance from Greek authorities. After being confirmed in good health, they will be transferred to Paleochora, Chania, and later accommodated at Agia for further registration.
Greece has extended the deadline for Golden Visa property purchases to February 2025, giving investors more time to complete contracts under the previous investment thresholds. This move offers flexibility amidst recent program changes aimed at addressing the country’s housing crisis.
An investigative report has revealed that Greek authorities jailed nine innocent Egyptian migrants for over a year on false smuggling charges related to the tragic Pylos shipwreck. Despite having evidence of their innocence, Greece delayed justice, raising international concerns over potential misconduct and accountability.
Greece faces a critical labor shortage, urgently needing over 300,000 foreign workers to support its economy. Bureaucratic hurdles hinder recruitment efforts, while the streamlined EU Blue Card program aims to attract highly skilled professionals.
Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk as the first-ever Secretary of Government Effectiveness in his upcoming administration, with the goal of streamlining government operations and cutting bureaucratic inefficiencies. Musk, alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead efforts to reduce government spending and restructure federal agencies. In addition, Trump announced Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense and Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, with both appointees set to focus on military strength and border security.
Greece is likely to end its Golden Visa program’s real estate investment option in January 2025 to combat its housing crisis. This follows similar moves by Portugal and Spain, and reflects a shift towards attracting investment in startups rather than property.
Canada has become a top destination for those seeking a better life, attracting approximately 350,000 Greeks with its strong economy, robust social welfare programs, and high quality of life. With low crime rates and generous benefits, including child allowances and a mixed public-private pension system, Canada offers a stark contrast to its neighbor, the United States.
Italy sends a second group of eight migrants to Albania in a renewed attempt to process asylum seekers abroad after facing legal challenges. This follows the return of a previous group due to a court ruling questioning the legality of their detention in Albania.
A speedboat coming from the Turkish coasts was spotted moving at high speed towards Lesvos and was pursued by three patrol boats of the Hellenic Coast Guard. After a dramatic chase, passengers disembarked on shore, leading to the arrest of two individuals identified as traffickers. A total of 21 foreign nationals were found and taken to a Reception and Identification Center. The investigation is ongoing.
Greece ranked sixth in the Schengen Area for visa applications in 2023, receiving over 627,000 requests. Notably, applicants from Pakistan, Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, and Iraq faced the highest rejection rates, while those from Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Thailand enjoyed high approval rates.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis announced the recruitment of 150 new border guards during his visit to Evros, where he represented the government at the October 28 celebrations. This new hiring will supplement the 450 border guards already recruited in the past two years. Gerapetritis emphasized the importance of strengthening the second line of defense and ensuring that local communities feel secure. He praised the rapid implementation of the fence project, which he described as 100% effective in guarding national and European borders. He stressed the need for coordination among Greek police, the military, and border guards, reiterating the state’s commitment to enhancing deterrent capabilities in the region.