January immigration alerts

28 Jan 2025

Big shifts in travel, visas, and permits this year

Schengen border checks in 2025: what you need to know

If you’re traveling through Europe this year, be aware that countries like Austria, France, Germany, and Sweden have extended border checks until at least June 2025. The Netherlands and Bulgaria have also introduced checks recently. Border guards may ask for your ID, so it’s a good idea to have your documents ready. If you’re visa-free, remember your 90-day limit in the Schengen Area. These checks are usually rare but are being used for security reasons. It’s all part of a bigger effort to keep things safe and secure across Europe.

Big changes to Finland’s processing times: here’s what you need to know

Starting in January 2025, Finland has made some major updates to its government processing times. The EU Family Residence permit now takes up to six months, a big jump from just two weeks before. On the flip side, the Entrepreneur Permit has sped up, now taking only two months instead of almost a year. If you’re planning to apply, whether for yourself or as an employer, make sure to adjust your expectations and timelines accordingly!

Romanians can soon visit the U.S. visa-free!

Starting around March 31, 2025, Romanian nationals will be able to travel to the U.S. without a visa for business or tourism. All you’ll need is an approved ESTA, which you can apply for online 72 hours before your trip. This means you can stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without the hassle of a visa. If you already have a visa, you can still use that. It’s a great update for Romanian travelers, making U.S. trips a lot easier. U.S. citizens can already travel to Romania without a visa too!

First-time residence registrations in Dublin starting January 2025

From January 13, 2025, anyone applying for residence permission for the first time in Ireland will need to go to the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin. This change means that no matter where you live, all first-time registrations will be handled there. If you have an appointment before January 31, 2025, you can still visit your local Garda office. Since mid-2024, people in certain counties have already been doing this, and now it’s nationwide. Renewals, however, can still be done online through the Immigration Service Delivery portal.

Kyrgyzstan extends visa-free stays for gulf nationals

Starting in 2025, nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE can stay in Kyrgyzstan for up to 180 days in a year—up from just 60 days. Whether you're visiting for business or leisure, this gives you a lot more time to enjoy your trip. It’s part of Kyrgyzstan’s ongoing effort to make travel easier, and if you end up staying longer, there’s also the option to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit.