Ebere Okoye | Zadesta Visa Consulting

by Ebere Okoye

Schengen Visa “Small Country Trick” Leads to Refusals, VFS Global Warns UAE Travelers

The “small country trick” that many UAE residents believe allows them to apply to less popular Schengen countries like Luxembourg or Malta to receive visas more quickly has been proven false, according to VFS Global’s UAE Regional Director, Monaz Billimoria; and

by Ebere Okoye

EU Tightens Visa Rules for Russians, but ‘Golden Passports’ Keep Europe Open

Yesterday, the European Union made the decision to eliminate multi-entry Schengen visas for the majority of Russian citizens, representing a major escalation in travel restrictions against limiting Russian access to Europe. The multi-entry visa ban will affect ordinary Russian citizens seeking

by Ebere Okoye

EU Implements Ban on Multiple-Entry Schengen Visas for Russian Nationals

BRUSSELS, Nov 7 – The European Commission issued an implementing decision to impose new restrictions for visa applications made by Russian nationals. Effective today (November 07), the European Commission will stop issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas and will require Russian nationals to

by Ebere Okoye

Portugal Cancels ALL Work-Seeking Visa Appointments Effective Immediately

As of October 23rd, 2025, due to the introduction of Law No. 61/2025 which fundamentally changes the way that Portugal handles immigration, the Portuguese government has canceled all appointments for work-seeking visas. The Law was announced through Portugal’s Official Gazette on

by Ebere Okoye

Mali Imposes $10,000 Visa Bond on U.S. Citizens in Retaliatory Response to Trump Administration Policy

Mali responded to the U.S. Department of State’s new visa program by saying it will require American tourists or business travelers who wish to enter the country to deposit a maximum amount of $10,000 in cash to secure a visa. This

by Ebere Okoye

Seven Kosovo Nationals Stopped at Croatia-Serbia Border for Exceeding Schengen Stay Limits

Seven citizens of Kosovo were arrested this week at the Croatia-Serbia border after officials discovered that they exceeded the allowed stay of 90 days in the Schengen Area within the rolling period of 180 persons according to reports in the Kosovo

by Ebere Okoye

EU Entry/Exit System Week One: Only 3 Countries Ready, Brussels Sees 3-Hour Queues

Severe technical failures and unprepared travelers have characterized a rocky launch of Europe’s digital border transformation this week, news having spread swiftly over social media of chaotic scenes at the early adopting airports. A week after the official launch of the

by Ebere Okoye

The 3 Best Schengen Calculators for the EES Era: Track 90/180 Days and Prevent Overstays

As of October 12, 2025, the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) officially began operations across Schengen external borders. Non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area now face biometric scanning, automated stay tracking, and real-time enforcement of the 90-in-180-day rule. This represents the

by Ebere Okoye

Swiss Schengen Visa Applications in the US Now Through VFS Global

One week after going live, Switzerland’s outsourced intake for Schengen short-stay visas in the United States is fully operational, adding a consistent front-office process across four major cities. As of October 1, 2025, US-based applicants who require a visa to visit

by Ebere Okoye

SIS Logged 15 Billion Accesses in 2024, Alerts Topped 93 Million

Europe’s Schengen Information System (SIS) continued to expand in 2024, with more searches, more alerts, and more confirmed “hits” routed through national SIRENE Bureaux. The Netherlands generated the largest share of searches, followed by Belgium and France, according to eu-LISA’s new

Author: Ebere Okoye

Schengen Visa “Small Country Trick” Leads to Refusals, VFS Global Warns UAE Travelers

EU Tightens Visa Rules for Russians, but ‘Golden Passports’ Keep Europe Open

EU Implements Ban on Multiple-Entry Schengen Visas for Russian Nationals

Portugal Cancels ALL Work-Seeking Visa Appointments Effective Immediately

Mali Imposes $10,000 Visa Bond on U.S. Citizens in Retaliatory Response to Trump Administration Policy

Seven Kosovo Nationals Stopped at Croatia-Serbia Border for Exceeding Schengen Stay Limits

EU Entry/Exit System Week One: Only 3 Countries Ready, Brussels Sees 3-Hour Queues

The 3 Best Schengen Calculators for the EES Era: Track 90/180 Days and Prevent Overstays

Swiss Schengen Visa Applications in the US Now Through VFS Global

SIS Logged 15 Billion Accesses in 2024, Alerts Topped 93 Million

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