Recent Visa News: Romania and Bulgaria, Welcome to the Schengen Area!

The Schengen zone consists of 29 members as of  March 31, 2024.

The Schengen Area’s story began in 1985 with an agreement signed by five European countries to gradually eliminate border checks between them. This aimed to create a zone with free movement of people, goods, and services. The Schengen Convention in 1990 further solidified this goal.

Currently, the Schengen Zone consists of 25 EU member states. While most EU countries are part of the Schengen Area, Cyprus and Ireland are exceptions.

Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are non-EU countries that participate in the Schengen Area due to their association agreements with the EU. This means they uphold the Schengen acquis, enabling passport-free travel across borders within the zone.

  • Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway: These are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and signed the Schengen Agreement to align with the EU’s travel policies. They’re also members of the European Economic Area (EEA), which connects them economically to the EU.

  • Switzerland: Though not part of the EEA, Switzerland has bilateral agreements with the EU, including Schengen participation. It retains its sovereignty but cooperates closely with the EU on border control and security.

For travelers, this means you can move freely between these countries and the rest of the Schengen states without passport checks at borders, just as if they were full EU members!

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Romania and Bulgaria's membership in the Schengen Area is finalized!

Exciting news for travelers! Romania and Bulgaria are gearing up to fully join the Schengen Area by January 1, 2025. This means that with a Schengen visa, you’ll be able to travel seamlessly across Romania, Bulgaria, and other Schengen countries without needing separate visas.

As a step toward this milestone, both countries have already removed border controls at their air and sea ports as of March 31, 2024. However, land border checks will stay in place until the official integration in January 2025.

This move promises to make travel smoother and more convenient, whether you’re a tourist, a business traveler, or someone commuting across borders.

Planning a trip to Romania or Bulgaria? Don’t miss our in-depth articles packed with tips and inspiration to help you explore these fascinating destinations!

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Can you travel to Croatia on a Schengen Visa?

Cou can travel to Croatia on a Schengen visa! Croatia became a full member of the Schengen Area on January 1, 2023. This means that with a valid Schengen visa, you can enjoy visa-free movement to Croatia for short stays—up to 90 days within a 180-day period—whether you’re visiting for tourism or business.

If you’re not from a visa-exempt country, a Schengen visa is required to visit Croatia. Once you have it, you can also explore other Schengen countries without the need for additional visas, making your European travels even more seamless!

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Traveling to China has just become easier!

China has expanded its visa-free entry list, welcoming travelers from eight more European countries. Citizens of Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, and Latvia can now enjoy visa-free access to China.

Starting from 30 November 2024, tourists from these nations, along with Japan, can visit China without a visa for stays up to 31 December 2025.

This move follows China’s recent addition of Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovakia, and Norway to the visa-free list, allowing citizens of these countries to stay for up to 30 days.

More good news if you want to explore China!! As from December 1, 2024, China will extend its visa-free policy to 38 countries, including Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. This means that if you are a citizen from any one of these countries, you can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, and transit. Jolly good!

For citizens traveling from these regions, exploring China’s rich history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes just got a lot easier!

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Digitalization of Schengen Visa Procedures

Starting in 2028, Schengen visa procedures will undergo a major digital transformation. The European Union plans to launch a unified online platform where travelers can conveniently submit visa applications, upload necessary documents, and pay fees digitally. Traditional visa stickers will be replaced by cryptographically signed barcodes, boosting security and minimizing the risk of fraud.

The transition will occur gradually, with EU member states expected to adopt the system within five years. By 2033, the digital visa process should be fully implemented across all Schengen countries, streamlining travel and improving efficiency.

The New EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to launch in the second half of 2024, though delays mean the exact start date is still up in the air. Once active, the system will register non-EU nationals visiting for short stays in 29 European countries.

EES will modernize border management by ditching manual passport stamps in favor of automated biometric checks, like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. Travelers will encounter this new system at airports, seaports, land borders, and rail crossings throughout the Schengen Area.

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