Latest news with #EEA


Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Schengen Visa for Indian passport holders: Application, cost, timeline, and tips
Are you thinking of taking a trip to Europe? If yes, you must be aware that Indian passport holders who wish to visit any of the 29 Schengen nations—including popular locations like France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands—are required to obtain a Schengen visa. If this is your first time applying for this visa, this brief guide will help you get through the application process without any issues. What is a Schengen Visa? It's that visa that allows visitors from outside the EU or EEA to enter and move freely inside the Schengen Zone for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. This visa is best suited for family holidays, business travel, and travel. Types of Schengen Visas for Indians Depending on your travel purpose, you can go for: Tourist Visa: For leisure travel and sightseeing. Business Visa: For attending conferences, meetings, and work-related events. Family Visit Visa: To visit relatives residing in Schengen countries. Transit Visa: For airport layovers within the Schengen Zone Read more: Countries with the letter X in their name Application process Determine the Appropriate Embassy/Consulate: Single-country trip: Apply at that country's embassy or consulate. Multiple-country trip: Apply at the embassy of the country where you'll spend the most time. Equal stay duration: Apply at the embassy of the country you will enter first. Schedule an appointment: Book an appointment with the respective embassy, consulate, or authorized visa application center (e.g., VFS Global). Prepare required documents - Valid passport (minimum six months validity with at least two blank pages). - Completed visa application form. - Recent passport-size photographs adhering to Schengen guidelines. - Proof of travel itinerary, accommodation, and sufficient financial means. - Travel insurance covering at least €30,000 for medical emergencies. Submit Application and Pay Fees: Attend the appointment to submit your application and pay the visa fee. Processing time Processing a visa usually takes 15 to 30 days. Applying at least 45 to 60 days before to your planned trip date will allow for any last-minute cancellations. Validity You can spend around 90 days in any 180-day period with a Schengen visa. To prevent overstaying, and hassle-free travel, make sure your travel schedule complies with this requirement. Read more: Kalimpong over Darjeeling? Here's why it might be a better choice Tips for a successful application Accuracy: Make sure all of the information you supply is correct, current, and consistent throughout all of your documents. Completeness: Submit all required documents to avoid processing delays. Financial proof: Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your stay. Travel insurance: Obtain comprehensive travel insurance meeting Schengen requirements. You can attempt to expedite the processing of your Schengen visa application and confidently complete your journey to Europe by following this recommendations. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change


Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
TikTok seeks stay on suspension of data transfer to China decision
TikTok is to ask the High Court to halt a suspension of data transfers to China within six months under a decision made in early May by the Data Protection Commission (DPC). On May 2nd, the DPC announced it had made a final decision in its inquiry into the lawfulness of transfers by TikTok Technology Ltd' of personal data of users of the TikTok platform to the People's Republic of China from countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) which includes all the EU along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. DPC commissioners Dr Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland found that TikTok infringed the GDPR regarding its transfers and regarding its transparency requirements. The DPC imposed fines totalling €530 million and ordered TikTok to bring its processing into compliance within six months, including suspending the transfers to China if this was not done within that time frame. READ MORE On Thursday, Emily Egan McGrath SC, for TikTok, told Mr Justice Mark Sanfey her client was seeking that the case be admitted to the fast track Commercial Court as it was an urgent matter. She said the damage the decision will cause to her client 'was very significant' and they were looking for an order putting a stay on the suspension of data transfer decision. Kelley Smith SC, for the DPC, said there was a significant volume of papers in the case and her side had not had a chance to look at the documents. However, she did not imagine there would be any objection to the application to enter the case into the commercial list. Mr Justice Sanfey said he thought there might not be opposition to the admission to the commercial list but it may be that the DPC will take a different tack. He said there were difficulties in relation to fixing a hearing over the stay on the suspension decision in terms of judges being tied up in other cases in the coming weeks but he would hear the application to admit the case to the Commercial Court next week.


Local Germany
3 days ago
- Business
- Local Germany
What to study in Germany to land a high-paying career
Most German universities offer high quality teaching, world-class facilities, courses in English, and internationally recognised degrees. Tuition is also state funded at Germany's public universities and colleges. The only additional charge for non-EU/EEA international students is a small 'semester fee' of between €100 and €300. That is except in the state of Baden-Württemberg -- home to Heidelberg University -- which levies a fee of €1,500 per semester on non-EU/EEA students. But which courses, and universities, offer the best prospect of a high-flying career? It's no big secret that to land a high-paying job in Germany, you'd be well advised to study something in the field of engineering or IT. In an effort to advise the next generation of skilled workers who may want to emigrate to Germany, the Nigerian newspaper Vanguard recently compiled a list of the top courses to study with high employment opportunities in the country. Unsurprisingly, six out of ten of those subjects fell into the IT or engineering fields. But arguably as important as picking the right subject to study is picking the right university. After all, the school you enrol in determines the quality of your courses as well as the peers you're exposed to, and often also the opportunities you'll get upon graduation. With all of that in mind, here's The Local's guide to the subjects that are ideal for those looking to secure a well-paid job in Germany after their studies -- and a few of the top German institutions for studying them. READ ALSO: The best-paid jobs you can get without a university degree in Germany Note that the institutions listed here are internationally recognised in the fields indicated, but they're only the tip of the iceberg. With roughly 400 universities and technical colleges, Germany has something to offer everyone. Visit the DAAD website for a comprehensive overview. All salary estimates are from Payscale . Engineering A recognised global centre of excellence for all things engineering, Germany is home to industrial giants including Siemens, Bosch, Volkswagen, and BMW. Graduates in engineering from universities including the Technical University (TU) of Munich, RWTH Aachen University, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology are at the heart of Germany's energy transition, as well as numerous new developments in automation. Advertisement Courses in mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, automotive engineering and environmental engineering place a strong emphasis on research, design, and real-world applications. An engineer works in the clean room of the pilot production plant for SOEC electrolyzers of Thyssenkrupp. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Martin Schutt According to Payscale, the average salary for an engineer in Germany in 2025 ranges from €44,000 for an environmental engineer to €57,000 for an automotive engineer. TU Berlin, the University of Erlangen Nuremberg, and TU Dresden are particularly well-regarded for electrical engineering. For budding automotive engineers, TU Munich, the University of Stuttgart, and Wolfsburg University of Applied Sciences have strong connections with BMW, Mercedes Benz, and VW respectively – offering access to potential internships and entry-level positions. READ ALSO: Weimar to Heidelberg - The best German university towns for foreign students Computer science, IT, and machine learning Advertisement Like engineering, computer science is a catch-all term covering a range of university courses and an even greater variety of career opportunities, from IT and AI to cybersecurity and software development. Germany is currently investing heavily in digitalisation and AI across sectors including finance, logistics and health – and leading universities typically partner with start-ups and multinationals to provide hands on experience as well as pathways into rewarding tech roles. According to Payscale, the average salary for a computer scientist in Germany is currently €55,000. According to the Study in Germany website, TU Munich, TU Berlin, RWTH Aachen University, the University of Munich, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology are the top five institutions in Germany for a degree in computer science. Architecture There are times when it feels as if all of Germany is a building site. With ambitious plans to add to the country's housing stock, as well as to modernise and re-purpose existing buildings, there are numerous opportunities for ambitious young architects. Graduates who want to work abroad will also benefit from the focus at German universities on green design, urban planning, and energy efficiency. Arch20 has a useful list of the top ten architecture schools in Germany, featuring Weimar University, Brandenburg University, and Wuppertal University. The average salary for an architect in Germany is €39,000. Business Administration & Management As with engineering and computer science, German universities offering business administration courses make a point of encouraging students to gain as much hands-on experience as possible. Advertisement Courses typically begin by covering the basics of economics, marketing, and accounting, before offering students an opportunity to focus on a specific area. The University of Mannheim, the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, and the School of Business & Economics at Berlin's Free University are all renowned for their business administration courses. Payscale estimates that the average salary for business administration graduates in Germany is €55,000 – but, as with many of the jobs listed here, the sky's the limit. Medicine, Healthcare & Psychology Germany is currently suffering from a well-publicised and acute shortage of doctors and healthcare professionals. A strong command of German is required to study many of these subjects in Germany (more so than for subjects such as engineering or computer science), but international students willing and able to make the effort are almost guaranteed to walk into a secure position on graduation. Psychology is currently one of the most popular fields of study in Germany. Photo by Alex Green from Pexels While psychology is currently one of the most popular fields of study in Germany, the number of graduates does not seem to be slowing demand in the workplace. Depending on the area students choose to focus on, a degree in psychology can lead to opportunities across a range of different fields – including healthcare and counselling, as well as jobs in the private sector such as human resources, market research, and marketing. The average wage for psychology graduates varies wildly depending on the chosen career path. As a general rule, however, a career in business tends to attract the highest salary. There are many renowned medical schools in Germany, including Heidelberg University, the Charité in Berlin, and the University of Lübeck. Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, Humboldt University in Berlin, and the University of Mannheim enjoy similarly stellar reputations for psychology. RANKED: The 'best' universities in Germany for 2025


BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
TikTok asks court to halt suspension of data transfers to China
TikTok is to ask the High Court to halt a suspension of data transfers to China within six months under a decision made in early May by the Data Protection Commission (DPC). On May 2nd, the DPC announced it had made a final decision into its inquiry into the lawfulness of transfers by TikTok Technology Ltd of personal data of users of the TikTok platform to the People's Republic of China from countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes all the EU along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Advertisement DPC commissioners Dr Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland found that TikTok infringed the GDPR regarding its transfers and regarding its transparency requirements. The DPC imposed fines totalling €530 million and ordered Tik Tok to bring its processing into compliance within six months, including suspending the transfers to China if this was not done within that timeframe. On Thursday, Emily Egan McGrath SC, for TikTok, told Mr Justice Mark Sanfey her client was seeking that the case be admitted to the fast track Commercial Court as it was an urgent matter. She said the damage the decision will cause to her client "was very significant" and they were looking for an order putting a stay on the suspension of data transfer decision. Advertisement Ireland Dog owner could face jail after 'scared, malnouris... Read More Kelley Smith SC, for the DPC, said there was a significant volume of papers in the case and her side had not had a chance to look at the documents. However, she did not imagine there would be any objection to the application to enter the case into the commercial list. Mr Justice Sanfey said he thought there might not be opposition to the admission to the commercial list but it may be the DPC will take a different tack. He said there were difficulties in relation to fixing a hearing over the stay on the suspension decision in terms of judges being tied up in other cases in coming weeks but he would hear the application to admit the case to the Commercial Court next week.


Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
UAE-Based Bybit secures MiCAR License in Austria, opens European Headquarters in Vienna with strategic expansion plan
Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has received its Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) license from the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), signifying a pivotal moment in its European expansion. With this new license, Bybit can now operate as a fully compliant crypto-asset services provider and passport its regulated and localized crypto products and services to nearly 500 million Europeans in 29 EEA (European Economic Area) member states through its EEA hub, which is based in Austria. Alongside this regulatory milestone, Bybit has also established its official European headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The MiCAR license underscores Bybit's unwavering commitment to meeting the highest regulatory standards in Europe, including crucial safeguards that are designed to enhance transparency, prevent illicit activities, and protect consumers within the European Union's digital finance ecosystem. 'Securing the MiCAR license in Austria is a testament to our compliance-first approach at Bybit,' stated Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit. 'We are actively collaborating with regulators and pursuing licenses globally to ensure our users can access our innovative platform with the highest levels of regulatory and compliance assurance.' To support its upcoming European expansion, Bybit is making a substantial investment in Austria, with plans to hire over 100 professionals in Vienna as it provides more localized and regulated services to users. 'Obtaining the MiCAR license demonstrates our commitment to compliance and transparency, in line with Europe's high regulatory standards,' said Mazurka Zeng, Chief Executive Officer of Bybit Europe. 'Vienna is now the home of Bybit Europe, and we're proud to contribute to Austria's forward-looking financial environment by investing in talent and innovation. Beyond this, we are dedicated to fostering a strong local crypto community and, through the Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), we will extend our resources to work closely with universities across the region, cultivating the next generation of blockchain innovators and exploring impactful real-world applications of the technology,' Mazurka said.