Travel News

By Ahmed Kingimi

The bandits stormed Kairu around 1040 GMT on Friday, firing indiscriminately, Abubakar Isa, a resident whose wife was abducted, told Reuters by phone.
Hamisu Faru, a local lawmaker, confirmed the attack to Reuters, saying the assailants took "no fewer than 100 people, including women and children".
"As I'm speaking to you right now, they are searching house-to-house, abducting people," Faru said by phone.
Another resident, Mohammed Usman, said the attackers laid siege to the town for nearly two hours before taking their captives. Thousands of residents have now fled the village, he said.
Zamfara police didn't immediately respond to requests for comments.

A group of schoolchildren from the US were arrested at Heathrow after going on a drunken rampage on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Los Angeles.

The nine teenagers used fake IDs to buy alcohol before the flight, then drank it at 30,000ft, sparking an emergency alert from pilots on board Flight VS008 on July 14.

Shocked teachers and flight crew said the teens were “screaming and running amok” during the transatlantic journey. When the plane landed at Heathrow, police boarded the aircraft and arrested the group.

The teenagers, believed to be from wealthy American families, were taken into custody where they had mugshots and fingerprints taken. Officers revoked their Electronic Travel Authorisations, meaning their summer plans — including attending camps across Europe — were cut short.

A source told The Sun: “The posh kids couldn’t handle their booze.”

Virgin Atlantic initially refused to fly them back after the mid-air chaos, but later relented — reportedly taking “revenge” by sending the teens to separate cities across the US and telling their parents, some of whom are said to be sports stars, to collect them.

The source added: “The kids bought booze before the flight, then smuggled it on.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests, and the teenagers were warned they could face jail terms.

By Josephine Ogundeji

A plot of land in Eko Atlantic, which was valued at around N180m in the early 2000s, has now skyrocketed to over N2bn, highlighting the rapid appreciation of prime coastal real estate in Lagos, according to a report by the State of Lagos Housing Market, Volume 3.

The report read, ”The past decade has marked a period of profound transformation for the Lagos real estate sector, particularly within its luxury segment. What was once a market with relatively affordable land plots has rapidly matured into a highly competitive and premium investment destination, driven by a dynamic interplay of economic, demographic, and infrastructural forces.

“Over the last 10 years, the Lagos property market has undergone a dramatic shift, transitioning from a landscape and premium investment space to a highly competitive one with more accessible entry points. This evolution is most vividly illustrated by the consistent and often exponential appreciation of land prices.”

It stated that historical data unequivocally demonstrates that land values have moved in a singular direction: upward, with no significant reversals, noting that the longer an investor delays, the more expensive real estate becomes.

“A compelling illustration of this trend is observed in Ibeju-Lekki. A plot of land in this area, which was available for as low as N500,000-N1.5m in 2013 (prior to major development hubs like the Lekki Free Trade Zone), saw its value surge to N5m-N10m by 2018 as significant infrastructure projects commenced.

“By the first quarter of 2025, the same land commanded prices between N25m and N40m, representing a potential 40-fold increase in value over a decade. Similarly, plots in Lekki Phase 1 that were priced at N10m – N15m in 2005 are now valued at over N400m – N500m. Land prices in Eko Atlantic, which stood at N180m per plot in the early 2000s, have also escalated to over N2bn today.

“This extraordinary appreciation underscores that real estate in Lagos has become a primary vehicle for wealth accumulation. The market’s dynamism is driven less by a pure housing need for the general populace and more by its function as a high-yield investment vehicle for the affluent, including a significant proportion of diaspora investors. This establishes luxury real estate as a critical mechanism for wealth generation and preservation in Lagos, particularly for those with patient capital and a long-term investment horizon.”

On the key drivers of market appreciation and growth, the report stated that the remarkable appreciation and growth in the Lagos luxury real estate market over the last decade can be attributed to several interconnected factors:

“Urbanisation and population growth: Lagos’s population has rapidly expanded, reaching nearly 24 million residents, with an annual growth rate of 2.5 per cent. The city experiences an influx of over 6,000 immigrants daily, with approximately 50 per cent choosing to remain, significantly intensifying the demand for housing across all sets, including luxury. The population is projected to exceed 25 million by 2025, further fuelling this demand.

“Despite the broader infrastructural challenges, individual luxury properties in Lagos are equipped with world-class features and amenities designed to meet international standards. These developments aim to create a self-contained, elevated living experience for their affluent residents.”

Modern Nigerian luxury properties increasingly incorporate state-of-the-art home automation and smart home technology. Private amenities such as in-house gyms and swimming pools are common, with ultra-exclusive communities like Banana Island even featuring private helipads and golf courses.

Other premium offerings include infinity pools, 24/7 concierge services, private lounges, and wellness centres. Opulent interior designs often feature dedicated home offices and entertainment lounges, including game rooms, cinemas, and bars. High-quality finishes are standard, encompassing Spanish tiles, security doors, imported sanitary wares, glazed windows, and premium electrical fittings.

The report further stated, “Architectural styles within the luxury segment are diverse, ranging from sleek, modern minimalist designs characterised by clean lines, open spaces, and large windows that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living, to more traditional styles that incorporate intricate woodwork and local materials, reflecting Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

“Beyond the physical attributes, exclusivity and prestige are central to the definition of luxury housing in Lagos. Affluent estates like Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lekki Phase 1, and Victoria Island are widely regarded as symbols of wealth, prestige, and modern urban living. Residing in these areas signifies social success and positions individuals among West Africa’s elite.

“Location-specific advantages further enhance this appeal; for instance, residents in Banana Island and Victoria Island enjoy waterfront views, upscale malls, fine dining establishments, and close proximity to business hubs, aligning with international luxury buyer expectations.”

The State of Lagos Housing Market, 3rd Edition, is published by the Roland Igbinoba Real Foundation for Housing and Urban Development. The first and second editions were published in 2009 and 2016, respectively.

North Korea has barred foreigners from a newly opened beach resort, the country's tourism administration said this week, just days after Russia's top diplomat visited the area.

The sprawling seaside resort on its east coast, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's pet project, opened to domestic visitors earlier this month with great fanfare in state-run media.

Dubbed "North Korea's Waikiki" by South Korean media, the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone appears to be lined with high-rise hotels and waterparks, and can purportedly accommodate some 20,000 people.

State media previously said visits to Wonsan by Russian tour groups were expected in the coming months.

But following Lavrov's visit, the North's National Tourism Administration said "foreign tourists are temporarily not being accepted" without giving further details, in a statement posted on an official website this week.

Kim showed a keen interest in developing North Korea's tourism industry during his early years in power, analysts have said, and the coastal resort area was a particular focus.

He said ahead of the opening of the beach resort that the construction of the site would go down as "one of the greatest successes this year" and that the North would build more large-scale tourist zones "in the shortest time possible".

The North last year permitted Russian tourists to return for the first time since the pandemic and Western tour operators briefly returned in February this year.

Seoul's unification ministry, however, said that it expected international tourism to the new resort was "likely to remain small in scale" given the limited capacity of available flights.

Kim held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Wonsan last week where he offered Moscow his full and "unconditional" support for its war in Ukraine, KCNA reported.

Lavrov reportedly hailed the seaside project as a "good tourist attraction", adding it would become popular among both local and Russian visitors looking for new destinations.

Ahead of Lavrov's recent visit, Russia announced that it would begin twice-a-week flights between Moscow and Pyongyang.

John Fredriksen, a Norwegian marine tycoon, is reportedly selling his 300-year old Georgian manor in Chelsea just weeks after criticising Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, for abolishing the non-dom regime.

The property, known as the Old Rectory, is one of Britain’s most expensive houses with two acres of gardens and 10 bedrooms across 30,000 sq ft.

It is set to be put on the market with a £250m price tag – with viewings already taking place, The Times reported.

Mr Fredriksen, who was the UK’s ninth richest man with a £13.7bn fortune before he announced his departure, bought the property in 2001 for around £40m.

The 81-year-old businessman, who is originally from Oslo, Norway, last month said that Ms Reeves’s tax raid had encouraged him to leave the UK and move to the United Arab Emirates.

“The entire Western world is on its way down,” he said, while the UK is “starting to remind me more and more of Norway. Britain has gone to hell, like Norway”.

The sale comes amid predictions that the UK is poised to lose more millionaires this year than any other country, which may fuel more high end property sales.

Last year Ms Reeves raised taxes on the global elite, abolishing the non-dom status and tightening inheritance tax rules. Non-dom rules had allowed foreigners to only pay tax on their UK income – largely shielding their global income from any taxation.

According to Henley & Partners, the UK will lose 16,500 millionaires this year because of the changes, up from 10,800 last year.

Among those who have left or are leaving include Richard Gnodde, who is one of London’s best-known bankers who became Goldman’s vice chairman in January, as well as the steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal and property tycoon brothers Ian and Richard Livingstone.

Mr Fredriksen made his fortune building up a fleet of oil tankers and other ships around the world.

Since leaving the UK, he has shrunk his presence including closing the London headquarters of his shipping group Seatankers Management, which was based in Sloane Square.

He has also blasted the US under Donald Trump, saying the president’s trade war was “completely hopeless” and said Norway was “dull”.

“I gave up on them a long time ago,” he said. “I gave up in 1978, when I moved. It has only gotten worse. Norway is completely uninteresting,” he said, adding that “Norway is good for those who work for the state.”

BY Simon Calder

When will British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area need to apply in advance for an online permit? The short answer is: not before 2027.

EU officials had originally confirmed that the much delayed “entry-exit system” would take effect on 10 November 2024.

From that date, it was thought that every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area would need to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland, in the European Union but outside Schengen.)

But the deadline was missed. Now the European Union says EES will start to be rolled out from 12 October 2025 with completion by 9 April 2026.

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The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) can only function once the Entry/Exit System is fully working.

It is due to launch six months after that. The EU says Etias will launch in the final quarter of 2026 – some time from October to December.

But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional. So you will not need one before April 2027 at the earliest.

What is Etias?

British travellers and those from all other “third-country visa-free nationals” (as the UK chose to become after Brexit) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival – and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out.

Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme. It will cost €20 (£17) and is valid for three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first.

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“UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period),” says the EU.

“Its key function is to verify if a third-country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen Area.”

The zone covers almost all of the EU (apart from Ireland) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

When will I need one?

Here is the timeline of the essential roll-out:

• 12 October 2025: EU Entry/Exit System starts across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of people crossing the border in or out of the Schengen Area. But the biometric elements – face and fingerprints – will not be mandatory for the first 60 days; it may be that some states do this anyway. Passports continue to be stamped.

• December 2025: Biometrics become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES.

• January 2026: By now, “member states should operate the Entry/Exit System – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points”. In other words, a majority of visitors are likely to experience “double red tape”: providing EES biometrics but continuing to have passports stamped as well.

• 9 April 2026: Roll-out of Entry/Exit System should be complete. Only when the EES is running flawlessly across Europe will passports stop being stamped.

• October 2026 (or later): Etias may finally come into play.

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The EU says: “Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.”

But “required” is not exactly correct. It will be only on a voluntary basis initially. The European Union says the launch of Etias will be followed by “a transitional period of at least six months”.

The EU says: “For travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their Etias travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.”

Those conditions are basically the existing requirements for passport validity:

• Issued no more than 10 years earlier on the day of entry to the European Union.

• Valid for at least three months on the intended day of departure from the EU.

ADVERTISEMENT

The earliest, therefore, that any British traveller or other “third-country national” will need an Etias is April 2027.

Once the “transitional period” is over, a further “grace period” of at least six months will apply on a one-time only basis to British travellers who turn up without an Etias.

The European Union says: “There is an exception: only those coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an Etias provided they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.

“All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an Etias travel authorisation.”

The grace period will last at least six months.

How will I apply for an Etias?

At the heart of the system is an Etias website. An app will follow (any apps that currently purport to be official EU Etias apps are imposters).

Travellers will be required to submit personal information including name, address, contact details in Europe and passport data. They must also state an occupation (with job title and employer). Students must give the name of their educational establishment.

The applicant must give details of any serious convictions in the past 20 years.

Travellers must also provide the reason for their journey (holiday, business, visiting family, etc), specify the Schengen Area country they will first arrive in, and provide the address of their first night’s stay – which will pose a problem for tourists who like to make plans as they go along.

It is likely that for subsequent journeys the traveller will not be expected to update the information. My understanding is that information on where you are going and staying, and the reason for your trip. is needed only at the application stage. The form should be completed with reference to your first journey.

As with the US Esta, after you have been admitted once and returned home you should be able to enter again without updating such information online.

The fee is €20 (£17) for all applicants aged 18 to 70. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, they need not pay.

What happens to the information?

Every application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as “a dedicated Etias watch-list”.

The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.

In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?

Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above offences, but in fact have led a blameless life, you will be allowed to argue your case. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection.

How far in advance must I apply?

The aim is for an Etias to be granted in most circumstances within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days.

If an application is flagged (ie there is a “hit” with one of the databases) the prospective visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked “to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days”.

The European Union says: “We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.”

If I get an Etias, must I print anything out?

No. The frontier guard will get all the information they need from the passport you used to apply for your Etias.

Will my Etias be checked before departure to the EU?

Yes. Most British travellers to Europe will have their Etias status checked by the airline, as currently happens with travel to the US (Esta), Canada (eTA) and many other countries.

Airlines are obliged to ensure passenger comply with the immigration rules of the destination. A couple of them made a complete mess of it when the post-Brexit passport regime took effect, and invented their own rules.

To try to avoid a repeat, I have written to the airlines’ representative body to try to ensure that they are fully aware of the “optional” nature of Etias during the transitional and grace periods before it becomes mandatory.

Is Etias a visa?

This answer to this common question depends on your interpretation of semantics. Officially, it is exactly the opposite of a visa. Europe says that Etias is “a pre-travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers”. It is a similar concept to the UK ETA, the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas.

But Etias requires visitors to:

• Apply in advance

• Provide substantial personal information

• Pay money

• Be issued with a permit to cross a border.

So I contend it amounts to a normal person’s understanding of a visa.

Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area?

No. “Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry,” says the EU.

“All travellers arriving at the border are still subject to border checks and border guards will refuse entry to those who do not meet the entry conditions.”

As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason, with the Etias permission rescinded.

Must I apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe?

No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport reaches three months before expiry, whichever is the earlier. (Note also that British passports must not be over 10 years old on the day of entry to the European Union.)

Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?

No. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, and the Common Travel Area – incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands – transcends European Union rules.

If I have a visa for study or work, or a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias?

No.

How are people without internet access supposed to apply?

They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes.

Just remind us about the 90/180 day rule?

This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days.

As an example of what it means: if you were to spend the first 90 days of 2025 (January, February and almost all of March) in the Schengen area, you would not be able to return until late June.

Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?

No. Work on strengthening the European Union’s external border was already under way before the UK referendum on membership in June 2016. Initially British officials participated in plans for the entry-exit system.

Neither the EES nor Etias would be relevant if the UK was still in the EU. But the nation voted to leave the European Union and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be classified as third-country nationals – triggering extra red tape.

Will Etias be the next online scam?

Yes. As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed.

But according to Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which is implementing Etias – there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic €20 (£17).

Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted. One “imposter” site claims to have processed 671 applications already; this is impossible since no applications have been processed anywhere.

Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.

Frontex also warns about the risk of identity theft if personal information is provided to imposter sites.

Story by Simon Calder

When will British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area need to apply in advance for an online permit? The short answer is: not before 2027.

EU officials had originally confirmed that the much delayed “entry-exit system” would take effect on 10 November 2024.

From that date, it was thought that every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area would need to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland, in the European Union but outside Schengen.)

But the deadline was missed. Now the European Union says EES will start to be rolled out from 12 October 2025 with completion by 9 April 2026.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) can only function once the Entry/Exit System is fully working.

It is due to launch six months after that. The EU says Etias will launch in the final quarter of 2026 – some time from October to December.

But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional. So you will not need one before April 2027 at the earliest.

What is Etias?

British travellers and those from all other “third-country visa-free nationals” (as the UK chose to become after Brexit) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival – and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out.

Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme. It will cost €20 (£17) and is valid for three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first.

“UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period),” says the EU.

“Its key function is to verify if a third-country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen Area.”

The zone covers almost all of the EU (apart from Ireland) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

When will I need one?

Here is the timeline of the essential roll-out:

• 12 October 2025: EU Entry/Exit System starts across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of people crossing the border in or out of the Schengen Area. But the biometric elements – face and fingerprints – will not be mandatory for the first 60 days; it may be that some states do this anyway. Passports continue to be stamped.
• December 2025: Biometrics become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES.
• January 2026: By now, “member states should operate the Entry/Exit System – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points”. In other words, a majority of visitors are likely to experience “double red tape”: providing EES biometrics but continuing to have passports stamped as well.
• 9 April 2026: Roll-out of Entry/Exit System should be complete. Only when the EES is running flawlessly across Europe will passports stop being stamped.
• October 2026 (or later): Etias may finally come into play.

The EU says: “Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.”

But “required” is not exactly correct. It will be only on a voluntary basis initially. The European Union says the launch of Etias will be followed by “a transitional period of at least six months”.

The EU says: “For travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their Etias travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.”

Those conditions are basically the existing requirements for passport validity:

• Issued no more than 10 years earlier on the day of entry to the European Union.
• Valid for at least three months on the intended day of departure from the EU.

The earliest, therefore, that any British traveller or other “third-country national” will need an Etias is April 2027.

Once the “transitional period” is over, a further “grace period” of at least six months will apply on a one-time only basis to British travellers who turn up without an Etias.

The European Union says: “There is an exception: only those coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an Etias provided they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.

“All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an Etias travel authorisation.”

The grace period will last at least six months.

How will I apply for an Etias?

At the heart of the system is an Etias website. An app will follow (any apps that currently purport to be official EU Etias apps are imposters).

Travellers will be required to submit personal information including name, address, contact details in Europe and passport data. They must also state an occupation (with job title and employer). Students must give the name of their educational establishment.

The applicant must give details of any serious convictions in the past 20 years.

Travellers must also provide the reason for their journey (holiday, business, visiting family, etc), specify the Schengen Area country they will first arrive in, and provide the address of their first night’s stay – which will pose a problem for tourists who like to make plans as they go along.

It is likely that for subsequent journeys the traveller will not be expected to update the information. My understanding is that information on where you are going and staying, and the reason for your trip. is needed only at the application stage. The form should be completed with reference to your first journey.

As with the US Esta, after you have been admitted once and returned home you should be able to enter again without updating such information online.

The fee is €20 (£17) for all applicants aged 18 to 70. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, they need not pay.

What happens to the information?

Every application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as “a dedicated Etias watch-list”.

The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.

In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?

Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above offences, but in fact have led a blameless life, you will be allowed to argue your case. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection.

How far in advance must I apply?

The aim is for an Etias to be granted in most circumstances within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days.

If an application is flagged (ie there is a “hit” with one of the databases) the prospective visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked “to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days”.

The European Union says: “We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.”

If I get an Etias, must I print anything out?

No. The frontier guard will get all the information they need from the passport you used to apply for your Etias.

Will my Etias be checked before departure to the EU?

Yes. Most British travellers to Europe will have their Etias status checked by the airline, as currently happens with travel to the US (Esta), Canada (eTA) and many other countries.

Airlines are obliged to ensure passenger comply with the immigration rules of the destination. A couple of them made a complete mess of it when the post-Brexit passport regime took effect, and invented their own rules.

To try to avoid a repeat, I have written to the airlines’ representative body to try to ensure that they are fully aware of the “optional” nature of Etias during the transitional and grace periods before it becomes mandatory.

Is Etias a visa?

This answer to this common question depends on your interpretation of semantics. Officially, it is exactly the opposite of a visa. Europe says that Etias is “a pre-travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers”. It is a similar concept to the UK ETA, the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas.

But Etias requires visitors to:

• Apply in advance
• Provide substantial personal information
• Pay money
• Be issued with a permit to cross a border.

So I contend it amounts to a normal person’s understanding of a visa.

Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area?

No. “Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry,” says the EU.

“All travellers arriving at the border are still subject to border checks and border guards will refuse entry to those who do not meet the entry conditions.”

As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason, with the Etias permission rescinded.

Must I apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe?

No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport reaches three months before expiry, whichever is the earlier. (Note also that British passports must not be over 10 years old on the day of entry to the European Union.)

Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?

No. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, and the Common Travel Area – incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands – transcends European Union rules.

If I have a visa for study or work, or a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias?

No.

How are people without internet access supposed to apply?

They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes.

Just remind us about the 90/180 day rule?

This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days.

As an example of what it means: if you were to spend the first 90 days of 2025 (January, February and almost all of March) in the Schengen area, you would not be able to return until late June.

Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?

No. Work on strengthening the European Union’s external border was already under way before the UK referendum on membership in June 2016. Initially British officials participated in plans for the entry-exit system.

Neither the EES nor Etias would be relevant if the UK was still in the EU. But the nation voted to leave the European Union and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be classified as third-country nationals – triggering extra red tape.

Will Etias be the next online scam?

Yes. As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed.

But according to Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which is implementing Etias – there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic €20 (£17).

Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted. One “imposter” site claims to have processed 671 applications already; this is impossible since no applications have been processed anywhere.

Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.

THE United States (US) government has warned its citizens against visiting Nigeria over the increasing rates of kidnapping, terrorism, armed gangs, and poor healthcare, among others.

The US disclosed this in a fresh travel advisory to its citizens.

The ICIR reports that the warning is coming from the US for the second time in one month.

It issued the advisory as part of its security review to help travellers assess risks when visiting Africa, highlighting certain countries as high-risk areas.

The advisory highlights 12 high-risk African countries, namely Nigeria, Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, DRC, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad.

The US ranks countries into four risk levels, with Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”) being the highest risk and Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) indicating serious risk.

In a statement by the US Mission in Nigeria, posted on its website, the US cautioned its citizens to reconsider any planned trip to Nigeria, stating that all locations carry a “significant security risk.”

The US advised its citizens to completely avoid 18 states in Nigeria due to high risk, while travel to other states should be made with caution.

The US advised its citizens to avoid specific Nigerian states due to various security concerns, including terrorism, kidnapping, and crime, in states such as Borno, Yobe, Kogi, Adamawa, Bauchi Gombe, Kaduna, and others.

Speaking about insecurity in Nigeria, the US said, “Violent crime is common in the country. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.

Dubai: Indian passport holders can now travel to 59 countries without needing a visa in advance, according to the Henley Passport Index July 2025 update. This includes destinations offering visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorisation (ETA) entry.

Countries across Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean have opened up more to Indian travellers. Popular spots such as Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, Mauritius, and Indonesia are now visa-free or offer visa-on-arrival access.

This growing ease of travel reflects the increasing recognition of Indian tourists worldwide and efforts to simplify entry requirements. However, travellers are advised to check individual country rules, including permitted stay durations and any health or COVID documentation, on official websites before planning their trips.

India’s rising passport strength

India has climbed to the 77th position on the Henley Passport Index, up from 80th in 2024 and 85th the year before. It now shares this rank with Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal — all granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations.

How India compares globally

While India has made steady progress, Singapore leads the 2025 rankings, offering visa-free access to 194 destinations. It is followed by Japan and South Korea with 190 destinations, while several European countries, including Germany, Italy, and France, hold close at 189.

The UAE has been one of the biggest risers, jumping 34 places over the past decade — from 42nd to 8th — and becoming the only major country to enter the global top 10.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also improved modestly, climbing from 101st in 2024 to 96th place in 2025.

Where can Indians travel without a visa in 2025?

The 59 destinations fall into three categories:

• Visa-free – enter without applying for a visa

• Visa-on-arrival (VoA) – visa issued at entry

• ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) – apply online for short-term entry

Visa-free countries for Indian passport holders

1. Angola

2. Barbados

3. Bhutan

4. British Virgin Islands

5. Cook Islands

6. Dominica

7. Fiji

8. Grenada

9. Haiti

10. Iran

11. Jamaica

12. Kazakhstan

13. Kenya

14. Kiribati

15. Macao

16. Madagascar

17. Malaysia

18. Mauritius

19. Micronesia

20. Montserrat

21. Nepal

22. Niue

23. Philippines

24. Rwanda

25. Senegal

26. St. Kitts and Nevis

27. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

28. Thailand

29. Trinidad and Tobago

30. Vanuatu

Visa-on-arrival countries

1. Bolivia

2. Burundi

3. Cambodia

4. Cape Verde Islands

5. Comoros Islands

6. Djibouti

7. Ethiopia

8. Guinea-Bissau

9. Indonesia

10. Jordan

11. Laos

12. Maldives

13. Marshall Islands

14. Mongolia

15. Mozambique

16. Myanmar

17. Namibia

18. Palau Islands

19. Qatar

20. Samoa

21. Sierra Leone

22. Somalia

23. Sri Lanka

24. St. Lucia

25. Tanzania

26. Timor-Leste

27. Tuvalu

28. Zimbabwe

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)

1. Seychelles

What’s the difference: Visa-free vs Visa-on-arrival?

Visa-free: No prior paperwork — just pack your bags and travel. Most countries set a maximum stay (e.g., 14, 30, or 90 days) and require a return ticket and proof of accommodation.

Visa-on-arrival: Get your visa at the airport after arrival.

Usually involves:

• Filling a form

• Showing passport, return ticket, hotel booking

• Paying a fee (varies by country)

ETA: A simplified, online process before travel. You receive a digital travel authorisation instead of a traditional visa.

Important travel tips for Indian passport holders

• Always check the official embassy website of the destination country.

• Requirements like passport validity, return ticket, or travel insurance may still apply.

• Entry conditions can change rapidly due to geopolitical or health concerns. 

Planning your next trip?

With more doors open than ever, Indian travellers can now explore the world more freely. Whether you're dreaming of pristine beaches, cultural escapes, or business travel — 2025 brings fewer visa hurdles and more travel possibilities.