Latest news with #travelregulations
Times of Oman
14-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
New UAE visa rule requires hotel and flight bookings for expats
MUSCAT: Travelling to the United Arab Emirates just got a bit more complicated for many expats in Oman. Travel agents across the Sultanate have confirmed that hotel bookings and return flight tickets are now mandatory for obtaining a 30-day UAE tourist visa. Previously, applicants needed only a valid passport and a photo. Now, according to the new regulations, tourist and visit visa applicants must upload hotel booking confirmations and return air tickets at the time of application via the UAE immigration department's website. 'Travel agencies have been instructed to submit hotel and flight tickets with every visa application,' said Soumava Mukherjee, General Manager, Travel City/Travel Point LLC. 'If not, applications may face delays or even rejection.' He added: 'Air ticket and hotel bookings are required for the UAE visa application. In case an applicant visits his UAE with relatives, house agreement is required from the relative side.' Higher visa costs add to travel expenses In addition to the added paperwork, the cost of obtaining a UAE visa has gone up. What once cost around OMR30 is now being charged between OMR40 and OMR50, depending on the agency. 'Travel agents have started charging anything in between OMR40 and OMR50 for the UAE visa,' said T Sudheer, an Indian expat currently seeking a UAE visa. Travel agents report that the changes apply across both tourist and visit visa categories. The UAE authorities have clarified that these new requirements are part of efforts to streamline the visa process and improve regulatory compliance. 'This change, applicable to both tourist and visit visas, aims to streamline the process and ensure compliance,' said Taufiq Uzzaman, Managing Director of Taufiq Travel & Tourism in Ruwi. 'While offering convenience, the new rules have led to processing delays for some applicants since May.' Many applicants who were unaware of the changes have experienced hold-ups due to incomplete applications. 'These measures emphasise the importance of thorough preparation to avoid travel disruptions,' said a Ghubra-based agent. 'Applicants should not wait until the last minute.' Not all travellers are affected by the stricter requirements. Indian nationals who hold a valid U.S. visit visa, U.S. Green Card, U.K. residence visa, or EU residence visa can still benefit from the UAE's 14-day visa-on-arrival, which can be extended for another 14 days.
Arabian Business
14-07-2025
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia shuts down 10 offices in crackdown on travel operators
Saudi Arabia has cracked down on travel agents in the country for violating regulations, including operating without licenses and organising unauthorised Umrah and visitation packages. As part of its campaign to regulate tourism-related activities and ensure compliance with official licensing and operational standards across the Kingdom, the Ministry of Tourism has shut down 10 travel service offices in Riyadh. The ministry said it will impose legal penalties on violators, including fines of up to SAR50,000 (US$13,333), which can rise to SAR1 million (US$270,000) for repeat offenses. These offices also face closure, depending on the severity of the violations. The violations included transporting pilgrims using unlicensed vehicles and accommodating them in unauthorised hospitality facilities in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. According to the ministry, the inspections targeted travel and tourism agencies operating without the required permits or outside the scope of their approved activities. The initiative aims to protect the rights of tourists and visitors while enhancing the overall quality of services in line with Saudi Arabia's tourism strategy. The Ministry has urged all licensed tourism operators to strictly adhere to the terms and requirements of their permits, and called on the public to deal only with officially licensed agencies to safeguard their rights and ensure a safe and reliable travel experience.
Condé Nast Traveler
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Condé Nast Traveler
What the Supreme Court Ruling on Birthright Citizenship Means for Travel
On June 27, 2025, the US Supreme Court issued a significant ruling that has profound implications for birthright citizenship and, by extension, travel regulations. Birthright citizenship, a principle that has been enshrined in the Constitution for more than 160 years, grants US citizenship to any child born on American soil. On the first day of his second term in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order intending to end unrestricted birthright citizenship, which would threaten automatic citizenship for children born to parents in the US temporarily (such as on a visitor visa) or without documentation. This recent Supreme Court decision has triggered a series of legal and procedural challenges that could impact citizenship and, indirectly, the ability of certain individuals to travel both domestically and internationally. Here's what to know. What does the Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship mean? The Supreme Court decision did not overturn birthright citizenship in the US nor rule on its constitutionality. Instead, the justices ruled to limit nationwide injunctions issued by lower courts, which were legal maneuvers that, until now, had prevented the executive order from progressing. 'The Court essentially held that even if an executive order were clearly unconstitutional, federal judges' decisions could only protect the specific people who sue, not everyone who might be harmed,' explains Elizabeth Ricci, a partner at Rambana & Ricci and an adjunct professor of immigration law at Florida State University. When will the executive order go into effect? While the Supreme Court's ruling did not directly address the constitutionality of birthright citizenship, it did clear the path for the executive order to be applied. However, the justices set a 30-day delay, giving politicians, legal experts, and immigrant rights groups until July 27, 2025, to apply any new legal maneuvers, such as class action lawsuits. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a nationwide class action lawsuit challenging the birthright citizenship order that is scheduled for a July 10 hearing. If the judge rules in the ACLU's favor, it would stop the executive order from going into effect. If a state hasn't previously challenged the executive order (or doesn't before July 27), and if none of the other lawsuits succeed in winning nationwide relief before July 27, then the order will go into effect in that state on that date. The White House has until then to outline how the US government will enforce the changes of its executive order in the states where it can go into effect. Which states have challenged the decision to end birthright citizenship? Already, 22 states (plus Washington, DC) have asked federal judges to block Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, which, Michael Cataliotti, an immigration lawyer at Cataliotti Law, says is an 'indication of where the policies and practices will preserve birthright citizenship as a basis of the constitutional framework.' Those states include: Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Hawaii Illinois Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin The other 28 states have not challenged the order, though Ricci says that doesn't necessarily mean they support it. 'They may just be waiting to see how litigation develops, preparing their own legal challenges, or even punting due to political constraints.' Still, if they don't challenge the order (and no other ruling blocks adoption nationally), it will go into effect on or after July 27, which could lead to a patchwork approach to how birthright citizenship is applied in the US. For those states where a judge has already blocked the policy of ending birthright citizenship, the executive order can't be enforced there—for now. After July 27, plaintiffs in each case remain protected from the executive order, at least until the courts rule on the individual lawsuits. This protection isn't indefinite—it lasts as long as the preliminary injunction is in place for those named plaintiffs. So, while those plaintiffs won't be affected by the executive order on July 27, that protection is not permanent—it hinges on the outcome of the case and any future rulings. And there's an additional catch: The Supreme Court recently ruled that these court orders can only protect people actually involved in the case, unless the case has been certified as a class action. So, unless those states win broader protections for all affected residents, some families might still fall through the cracks. What are the potential implications on travel, if birthright citizenship ends? Under the executive order, children born after July 27, 2025, to undocumented or temporary-status parents could lose automatic citizenship—unless covered by an injunction or successful class action. Cataliotti added that it would even extend to the children of visa holders in the US with lawful but non-immigrant status (such as B-1/B-2 visitors, F-1 students, H-1B, L-1, TN, and O-1 visa holders). This could potentially result in US-born babies being deported, even though their parents could remain legally in the country, says Juan Rivera, an immigration attorney at Juan C Rivera PLLC. A Trump lawyer has confirmed that there will be no immediate deportations until after the order goes into effect on July 27, Reuters reports. 'Depending on where visa holders are located and where their children are born, the child may be deemed an American and issued a birth certificate…or not,' Cataliotti says. 'If there's ongoing litigation in, say, California, those children will likely be considered US citizens. If we're looking at Texas, those children are not likely going to be considered US citizens. It's an absolute mess.' 'This creates a potential cohort of stateless or noncitizen US-born children, with significant legal and social implications,' Rivera adds. A stateless child is not recognized as a national by the laws of any nation, often due to being born in a country that doesn't grant birthright citizenship, having parents who are not citizens of any nation, or because their status was stripped due to ethnic or religious reasons. This means they don't have the legal rights and protections afforded to citizens of any country and also face difficulties accessing basic rights like health care and education, as many countries require citizenship for these services. The UN says at least 4.4 million people are currently stateless around the world. If a baby is born in the US but isn't a recognized citizen, Rivera says that they might be able to stay: 'If the parents are in the US on legal visas, the child might be able to stay temporarily as a dependent (or derivative) on the parent's visa. But that child would not be a US citizen and wouldn't have the right to stay permanently.' Still, without recognized citizenship, it would also mean those children will not be eligible for a US passport, which is issued at the federal level, says Bradford Bernstein, an immigration attorney at Spar & Bernstein. 'These children not having a passport will create serious travel complications, including the inability to travel internationally, reenter the US, or prove legal status within the country.' Rivera said that the policy does not apply retroactively, so children born before July 27 keep their citizenship, but he added that 'obtaining a US passport would be wise to have additional proof of citizenship. Similarly, for babies born after that date, parents should consider applying for passports quickly. That may help resolve their child's status before it becomes a legal gray area.' Because the US Constitution protects the right to move freely between states, Rivera says there is no precedent for citizenship check points when traveling between US states if the order is applied unevenly. Still, if a child isn't recognized as a citizen in one state, they may have trouble getting a birth certificate, passport, or social services. 'These kinds of bureaucratic hurdles could feel a lot like internal 'checkpoints'—even if they're not called that,' Rivera says. What's next? Jennifer Behm, a partner at Berardi Immigration Law, says that, for now, the issue of whether or not birthright citizenship is a federal right protected by the US constitution will remain a question for the lower courts. 'The core question—whether the executive order violates the 14th Amendment—will now be tested in the appeals courts,' Behm says. 'Conflicting rulings across circuits would likely force the Supreme Court to revisit the issue and decide the constitutional merits. The first round was about procedure. The next will ask if a president can rewrite the meaning of citizenship itself.' She adds: 'I do not believe the administration will ultimately succeed in redefining the Constitution and overturning centuries of legal precedent through a single executive order, but the constitutional fight is still ahead.' How is citizenship granted around the world? Citizenship is granted around the world primarily through two methods: jus soli (right of the soil) and jus sanguinis (right of blood). Jus soli grants citizenship to individuals born within a country's territory, regardless of their parents' nationality, while jus sanguinis grants citizenship based on the nationality or ethnicity of one or both parents. 'Some countries, like Germany, combine the two—requiring that at least one parent has legal ties to the country,' Rivera says. 'The US and Canada are among the few that grant citizenship automatically to almost every child born on their soil. That's why this shift is such a big deal: It breaks with a long-standing tradition, both legally and culturally.' Several countries also allow individuals to claim citizenship based on their ancestry, even if they were not born there. For example, Ireland and Italy provide citizenship to people who can trace their ancestry back to a citizen of those countries, often up to several generations. This is known as citizenship by descent and is a form of jus sanguinis with a broader historical connection. A growing number of countries offer citizenship by investment programs, allowing individuals to obtain citizenship by making significant financial contributions to the country, such as purchasing property, creating jobs, or making donations to national development projects. Countries like Panama and Malta are popular for these programs. These alternative pathways to citizenship add another layer of complexity to how nationality is granted globally, offering options for individuals with historical ties or substantial financial means to obtain citizenship beyond traditional means.
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Passengers travelling to Europe could take cabin bag on board for FREE - as new rules will ban airlines from charging extra
Holidaymakers may soon avoid the frustration of paying extra fees for carry-on luggage at the boarding gate - thanks to proposed changes in EU airline rules. The EU Parliament transport committee has approved new regulations that would grant all passengers the right to carry a handbag or small suitcase weighing up to 7kg at no extra cost. Under the amendment, passengers would be allowed one cabin bag with dimensions measuring up to 100cm, in addition to a smaller personal item that fits under the seat. This proposal could significantly impact budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, which currently charge extra for larger cabin baggage. If implemented, the rule would apply not only to domestic EU flights but also to international flights connecting the EU with non-member countries, including the UK. For the proposal to become law, it still requires approval from at least 55 per cent of EU member states, representing 65 cent of the total EU population. However, this process could take time and prompt pushback from national governments and airline lobbies. Spain has already expressed its approval for the proposed changes - but not everyone is on board. Airlines for Europe, representing major carriers, warn that the new rules could disrupt operations and ultimately lead to increased ticket prices for passengers - even for those not carrying extra luggage. Managing director Ourania Georgoutsakou told Politico that the European Parliament should 'let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don't.' Ahead of Tuesday's vote, the group contacted EU transport committee members, stressing practical and logistical challenges airlines would face. They pointed out that although many aircraft carry up to 180 passengers, the overhead compartments can only accommodate about 90 trolley-sized bags. The industry body argues that requiring free carry-on luggage could cause boarding delays and overcrowding, and that travellers should retain the flexibility to select and pay for only the services they require.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Brits heading to Spain warned against tougher rules that could lead to £2,500 fine
British tourists are being urged to check the rules before heading off on holiday to Spain. From drinking in public to wearing a raunchy outfit on the street, there are a few ways that Brits could get caught out this summer. Chris Harrington, managing director at hoppa, says: 'Spain is introducing a new wave of travel regulations in 2025, following record-breaking visitor numbers. 'These new regulations have been put in place to manage mass tourism and public behaviour, and are extremely important to follow. 'Failure to comply with new regulations can lead to holidaymakers being charged hundreds of euros, with more serious offences potentially incurring fines between €1,500/£1,279 and €3,000/£2,558.' So, what do Brits need to know before heading to Spain this summer? Public drinking laws In an effort to crack down on rowdy public behaviour, drinking is banned in many public spaces in Spain. Tourists who break these rules could face a fine of €3,000/£2,558 so it's important to check your destination's regulations. In some areas of Majorca, including Llucmajor and Magaluf, the sale of alcohol is also banned between 9:30pm and 8am. There are also restrictions on all-you-can-drink deals in these areas and happy hour deals. Beach fines Many British tourists head straight to the beach when they get off the plane in Spain. But they will need to follow the rules. In Valencia, tourists can be fined up to €3,000/£2,558 for setting up a beach tent or shelter without authorization. Tourists can also be fined for smoking at the beach while drinking in unauthorised areas could also incur a fee. 'Bans' on stag and hen-do paraphernalia In Platja d'Aro in the Costa Brava, tourists can now be fined €1,500/£1,279 for appearing in public wearing 'clothes representing human genitals'. People appearing in public wearing only their underwear can also be fined under this legislation. Information required for booking accommodation or renting vehicles Hotel owners, private rental providers and car hire companies are now required to collect information about tourists which will be passed on to Spain's Ministry of Interior, says Chris. Visitors will have to provide their; gender, nationality, date of birth, home address, landline phone number, mobile phone number, payment details and method and relationship to any children in the group under the age of 14. Chris adds: 'Spain is an incredibly popular tourist destination for British holidaymakers. But it's more important than ever to be mindful and respectful when holidaying. 'By travelling with awareness of the local culture and regulations, you can contribute to a positive travel experience for yourself and others. Before travelling, it is a good idea to check the Spanish tourism board and ensure that you are abiding by the rules of the municipality you are visiting.'
