‘China travel’ continues to heat up as impact of visa-free policies grows

Newswire Zhengzhou: With China relaxing and optimizing its visa-free policies and introducing measures to facilitate foreign travelers, “China travel” has become a top choice for many international tourists. According to the latest data from the National Immigration Administration of China, in 2024, immigration authorities nationwide handled 610 million border crossings, a year-on-year increase of 43.9 […]

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Pakistan heaven for tourists: High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said this week that Pakistan is a heaven for the tourists. Highlighting Pakistan’s beauty on X, he shared pictures of the beautiful sites. Speaking to Covert, the envoy said Pakistan offered enormous opportunities to the tourists with safe and secure environment. High Commissioner Chaudhri said Pakistan […]

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Pakistani authorities arrest suspected human smuggler linked to last year’s Greece boat tragedy

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistani authorities this week announced the arrest of a suspected human smuggler from Azad Kashmir, accusing him of involvement in last year’s Greece boat tragedy that killed five nationals and charging him with sending one victim abroad after taking Rs 4.5 million ($16,200). The incident occurred in December when a wooden vessel […]

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What to expect for golden visa program of Portugal in 2025: Predictions & key developments

Newswire Lisbon: In 2025, an increasing demand is expected for Portugal’s Golden Visa Program from North America as well as the United Kingdom. The demand from the Asian market is expected to remain consistent throughout 2025. In 2025, authorities in Portugal are aiming to streamline the processing of applications to meet the surge in demand […]

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VFS global pledges to assist Portugal in addressing its visa backlog

Newswire Lisbon: VFS Global this week vowed to help Portugal resolve its visa backlog. The company’s announcement came following delays in processing work visa applications in particular for Brazilians in Portugal. The processing of work visa applications for Brazilians in Portugal sometimes exceeds 200 days. The outsourcing and technology company for governments and diplomatic missions, […]

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Bulgaria’s Perperikon: A European counterpart to Peru’s Machu Picchu

Newswire Sofia: The ancient rock city of Perperikon has recently received international recognition, with its latest accolade coming from the renowned US tourism website, Islands.com. In an article published on December 20, 2024, the site compared Bulgaria’s Perperikon to Peru’s Machu Picchu, dubbing it the “European Machu Picchu.” This follows the site’s inclusion in The […]

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Bulgaria and Romania will be in the Schengen zone from January. What will change for travellers?

Newswire Sofia: It’s been a rocky road to Schengen membership for both eastern European countries. As of 1 January 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full-time members of the Schengen Area, which allows free movement between member states for 450 million citizens. The two countries have been members of the European Union (EU) since […]

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Representatives of Belarus’ travel industry examine tourism potential of Chinese Province of Henan

Representatives of the Belarusian tourism industry took part in an information tour of the Chinese Province of Henan at the end of November, BelTA learned from the National Tourism Agency. The delegation included representatives of the tour operators authorized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China to receive groups […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri advises Pakistani travellers to complete homework before flying to Australia

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week advised the Pakistani travellers to complete their homework before flying to Australia. “Important information to avoid difficulties at the airport!” he p[osted on X, tagging Australian High Commoner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins’ post which read: “Attention Australian visa holders! Got a shiny new passport? […]

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New welcome center for migrants in Milan, Italy

Newswire Milan: Milan has a new center for migrants, the Milano Welcome Center, which will be a unique point of access to services for those who just arrived in town and have been granted international protection. The Milano Welcome Center, housed in a refurbished 2,000-square-meter municipal building near Milan Central Station, hosts approximately 60 professionals, […]

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China to grant visa-free entry to citizens of more countries

Newswire Beijing: China will soon grant visa-free entry to citizens of Japan and eight other countries as part of its ongoing efforts to boost international tourism and business travel, authorities announced this week. From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, trial visa exemption will be applied to ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, […]

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Travellers on Schengen visas can add two more countries to their Europe itinerary starting Jan 2025

Celina Ali Brussels: Romania and Bulgaria are poised to gain full Schengen Area membership by early 2025, following Austria’s decision to lift its opposition. This agreement, reached during ministerial discussions, paves the way for unrestricted travel across land borders, complementing their existing air and maritime access. Romania and Bulgaria are on track to become full […]

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Portugal launches new program to support migrants in finding jobs

Newswire Lisbon: The Portuguese government this week introduced a new initiative to support migrants enrolled in the National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP). In a recent statement, the European Commission said that, known as Programa Integrar, this program is designed for unemployed individuals, those seeking their first job, and migrants looking to change […]

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Japan visitors spent $39 billion through September, breaking annual record

Travelers spent 5.86 trillion yen ($39.27 billion) through September, preliminary figures from the Japan National Tourism Organization showed. That eclipsed the 5.3 trillion yen spent in all of 2023, a record for any 12-month period. Tourism spending, classified as an export in national accounts, is poised to become Japan’s second-biggest export sector after autos and […]

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Cross-border bus service between Gilgit, Kashgar resumes after 14 years

Newswire Islamabad: The Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) has officially received approval from Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Communications to restart its cross-border bus service between Gilgit and Kashgar, China, after a 14-year suspension, officials said this week. This service, which had been discontinued in 2010 due to a natural disaster, was halted when a massive […]

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Portugal to launch new platform to accelerate citizenship application processing

Newswire Lisbon: Portugal’s Institute of Registries and Notaries will launch a new platform to accelerate the process of granting citizenship. The platform aims to increase the capacity of the services to process citizenship applications by 50 per cent. The platform consists of new functionalities, automation and artificial intelligence. In a bid to accelerate the process […]

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Japan visit visa from Pakistan: Bank statement update in October 2024

Tokyo: Japan is a fascinating destination, offering tourists a perfect mix of ancient traditions and futuristic advancements. Travelers to Japan can experience the tranquil beauty of temples in Kyoto alongside the vibrant energy of Tokyo’s streets. The natural allure of Mount Fuji and the breathtaking cherry blossom season captivate visitors, while Japan’s diverse cuisine, including […]

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