Latest news with #non-Schengen
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Time of India
Countries Indian passport holders can visit with a valid US visa
Did you know your Indian passport can suddenly open doors to dozens of countries, just by having a valid US visa? Yep, that little sticker isn't just your ticket to Times Square or Disneyland. It also unlocks a ton of travel perks most people don't even know about. Let's be honest: the Indian passport doesn't get too far on its own. Ranked 65th on the Passport Index and 82nd on the Henley Passport Index, it offers pretty limited visa-free access compared to, say, Japan or Germany. But here's the travel hack: a valid US tourist visa (typically B1/B2) can quietly boost your global mobility in a big way. Why? Because a US visa signals strong vetting and trust. That's why dozens of countries across Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and even a few in Europe welcome Indian travelers with open arms if they already hold a valid US visa. Many of these places offer visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or super-easy e-visas, skipping the long embassy queues. There are a few conditions, of course. Your US visa usually needs to be valid for at least six more months, and some countries prefer that you've used it at least once before. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bee Keepers of India Selling Pure Honey online to Indian consumers via Ecommerce Website Scrolling Bee India Read More Undo Europe While Europe is mostly Schengen territory (which still requires a separate visa), several non-Schengen countries have opened their doors to Indian travelers holding valid US visas. These destinations offer a mix of history, culture, and stunning landscapes—no embassy paperwork required. Albania – Visa-free for 90 days Bosnia and Herzegovina – Visa-free for 30 days Georgia – Visa-free for 90 days Montenegro – Visa-free for 30 days North Macedonia – Visa-free for 15 days Serbia – Visa-free for 90 days Turkey – e-Visa available for 30 days America(North, Central & South) From the beaches of Mexico to the rainforests of Costa Rica, many countries across the Americas waive visa requirements if you have a valid US visa. Some only require that your US visa has been used at least once. Mexico – Visa-free for 180 days Belize – Visa-free for 30 days Costa Rica – Visa-free for 30 days El Salvador – Visa-free for 90 days Guatemala – Visa-free for 90 days Honduras – Visa-free for 90 days Nicaragua – Visa-free for 30 days Panama – Visa-free for 30 days (US visa must be used once) Colombia – Visa-free for 90 days Peru – Visa-free for 180 days Caribbean Island hopping in the Caribbean is made easier if you already hold a US visa. Many island nations allow Indian travelers in without additional paperwork, perfect for a spontaneous beach getaway. Aruba – Visa-free for 30 days Bahamas – Visa-free for 30 days Bermuda – Visa-free for 90 days British Virgin Islands – Visa-free for 30 days Curaçao – Visa-free for 30 days Dominican Republic – Visa-free for 30 days Sint Maarten – Visa-free for 30 days Antigua and Barbuda – Visa-free for 30 days Saint Kitts and Nevis – Visa-free for 90 days Jamaica – Visa-free for 90 days Asia A few Asian countries now allow simplified entry for Indian travelers with a US visa. While the stay durations are shorter in some cases, it's great for quick getaways or business trips. Philippines – Visa-free for 14 days Singapore – Visa-free transit (VFTF) up to 96 hours South Korea – Visa-free for 30 days (conditions apply) Taiwan – e-Visa for 30 days Malaysia – Visa-free transit up to 120 hours (conditions apply) Middle East Traveling to the Middle East is now easier too. These countries provide visa-on-arrival or e-visas to Indian citizens holding valid US visas, making the region more accessible than ever. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Visa-on-arrival for 14 days Oman – e-Visa for 30 days Qatar – e-Visa for 30 day Africa Only one African nation currently allows entry with a valid US visa, but it's a hidden gem worth exploring. São Tomé and Príncipe – Visa-free for 15 days One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Europe's BIGGEST McDonald's opens in major Brit holiday hotspot just in time for summer holidays
The mega Maccies is part of a stunning renovation BIG MAC AND FLY Europe's BIGGEST McDonald's opens in major Brit holiday hotspot just in time for summer holidays MCDONALD'S has opened its biggest site in Europe in a major Brit holiday hotspot - and it's come just in time for the summer holidays. The fast-food giant has launched a huge location in the airport of sun-drenched Majorca - and it measures up at over 10,000 square feet. Advertisement 4 Europe's biggest McDonald's has opened in Majorca Credit: Jam Press/McDonalds 4 It measures up at a whopping 10,765 square feet Credit: Jam Press/McDonalds 4 It is part of a new renovation in Module A or Palma de Mallorca Airport in Spain Credit: Jam Press/McDonalds The big Maccies includes eight digital kiosks, eight production lines as well as table service and McCafé products. The launch of the massive site marks the company's largest on the entire continent. Around 750,000 Brits travel to Majorca every summer, so the chain will be sure to endure its fair share of hungry Brit holidaymakers. The enormous branch is located at Level P30, Module A Airside of Palma de Mallorca Airport in the Spanish island. Advertisement It measures up at a whopping 10,765 square feet. The terminal has also recently undergone refurbishment work to improve passenger comfort and security, and retail space. The new site is part of this extraordinary renovation in Module A. And it is seemingly very exclusive to Brits - as the McDonald's will only be available to non-Schengen countries, according to What's The Jam. Advertisement This means most European countries won't be able to access it - paving the way for Brits and other international visitors to raid the kiosks. The incredible new branch has reportedly created 200 new jobs, on top of the 1,000 workers already employed in the Balearic Islands. Chief Restaurant Officer of McDonald's Spain Ángel Castillo said: 'This opening represents a new milestone and another example of our commitment to the Balearic Islands." He called the region "an area of strategic interest for the company where we already have over 20 restaurants". Advertisement The spokesperson continued: "We are thereby contributing to the Spanish economy and the creation of quality employment, fulfilling our mission of supporting the communities where we operate." There are already 43,500 McDonald's locations in over 100 countries worldwide. And the biggest McDonald's on the entire planet is located in Orlando, Florida. Known as the Epic McD, this behemoth fast-food chain measures in at a whopping 19,000 square feet. Advertisement Meanwhile, the UK's biggest McDonald's is a "Disneyland for fast food fans" with nearly 300 seats and unique features. The giant restaurant, in Formby on Merseyside, showcases "the latest innovations from McDonald's".
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Europe's BIGGEST McDonald's opens in major Brit holiday hotspot just in time for summer holidays
MCDONALD'S has opened its biggest site in Europe in a major Brit holiday hotspot - and it's come just in time for the summer holidays. The fast-food giant has launched a huge location in the airport of sun-drenched Majorca - and it measures up at over 10,000 square feet. 4 Europe's biggest McDonald's has opened in Majorca Credit: Jam Press/McDonalds 4 It measures up at a whopping 10,765 square feet Credit: Jam Press/McDonalds 4 It is part of a new renovation in Module A or Palma de Mallorca Airport in Spain Credit: Jam Press/McDonalds The big Maccies includes eight digital kiosks, eight production lines as well as table service and McCafé products. The launch of the massive site marks the company's largest on the entire continent. Around 750,000 Brits travel to Majorca every summer, so the chain will be sure to endure its fair share of hungry Brit holidaymakers. The enormous READ MORE WORLD NEWS It measures up at a whopping 10,765 square feet. The terminal has also recently undergone refurbishment work to improve passenger comfort and security, and retail space. The new site is part of this extraordinary renovation in Module A. And it is seemingly very exclusive to Brits - as the McDonald's will only be available to non-Schengen countries, according to What's The Jam. Most read in The Sun This means most European countries won't be able to access it - paving the way for Brits and other international visitors to raid the kiosks. The incredible new branch has reportedly created 200 new jobs, on top of the 1,000 workers already employed in the Balearic Islands. Chief Restaurant Officer of McDonald's Spain Ángel Castillo said: 'This opening represents a new milestone and another example of our commitment to the Balearic Islands." He called the region "an area of strategic interest for the company where we already have over 20 restaurants". The spokesperson continued: "We are thereby contributing to the Spanish economy and the creation of quality employment, fulfilling our mission of supporting the communities where we operate." There are already 43,500 McDonald's locations in over 100 countries worldwide. And the biggest McDonald's on the entire planet is located in Orlando, Florida. Known as the Meanwhile, the UK's biggest McDonald's is a "Disneyland for fast food fans" with nearly 300 seats and unique features. The giant restaurant, in Formby on Merseyside, showcases "the latest innovations from McDonald's". 4 The groundbreaking site created 200 new jobs Credit: Jam Press/McDonalds
Local Norway
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
How does being in the EEA (but not the EU) affect life in Norway?
Norwegians have rejected EU membership twice, despite both of the leading parties on the centre-right and centre-left—the Labour Party and the Conservative Party—campaigning strongly in favour of joining during the 1972 and 1994 referendum Rather than give up, though, successive governments have responded by signing three other agreements - none of which were put to a referendum - which have entwined the country as closely with their European neighbours as possible. Norway was in 1960 one of the founding members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which was established by countries who had either decided not to join the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor to the EU, or been vetoed by other members. It then joined the European Economic Area, the organisation for Europe's internal market, in 1994. A parliamentary vote had been held in 1992, ahead of the 1994 referendum on EU membership. Then in 2001, it joined the Schengen Area, the (in theory) border-free travel zone within EU countries that are signatories. So how does this ad-hoc, somewhat improvised, solution affect life in the country? Advertisement Let's look at Schengen first This treaty allows citizens of its 27 signatory countries free movement within the borders of the Schengen Area. Most of the Schengen countries are EU members, with only Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, all of which belong to EFTA and the EEA (apart from Switzerland), outside the European Union. Membership of the Schengen Area means that travellers arriving in Norway for the first time from a non-Schengen state, such as the UK or the US, will need to queue to have their passports checked, but after that they can move freely for a maximum of 90 days in every 180. Anyone who has the citizenship of an EU / Schengen area country has it easier of course and don't need to observe the 90 day rule. Norwegian citizens, EU nationals, tourists, non-EU residents of Norway, exchange students, and business travellers can travel freely to neighbouring Sweden by car or train, take a ferry to Denmark, or fly to Berlin or Paris, without needing to show their passports Those third-country nationals who have received a Schengen visa to enter any Schengen country, or who come from a country like the UK or US with visa-free entry to the Schengen area, can stay in Norway for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. That is a definite 'plus' for anyone who travels within Europe. Schengen membership has also, critics would argue, made it more difficult for Norway to control flows of refugees, drugs and other contraband across its borders from Sweden. Norway has several times imposed temporary border controls with Sweden in response to the refugees crisis, the pandemic, and more recently due to fears of Swedish gang members bringing their conflicts to Norway. Advertisement What about the EEA? The European Economic Area groups together all 27 member states of the EU with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, three states that want to be part of the EU's internal market, for various reasons, without being full members of the EU. As an EEA member, Norway has tariff-free trade with the EU and with other EEA states in goods and services, with a carve out for the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy, which neither Iceland nor Norway wanted to be a part of during the talks in the early 1990s. Norway is required to adopt the rules of the EU's internal market in areas such as the environment, consumer protection, competition law, and state aid. It does not have a vote over new regulations and laws but can influence them through committees it is a part of, a situation bemoaned by Norway's finance minister and former prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg, as little more than "fax democracy" . Norway also has to make substantial contributions to EEA and EU-funded schemes, although these are significantly smaller than they would be if Norway were an EU member. It is not required to contribute directly to the EU budget or to the Common Agricultural Policy. The elimination of import tariffs for goods from EU countries, such as cars, electronics and clothing means they are cheaper than they would be if Norway was not an EEA country. Norwegian exporters, in turn, do not have to pay tariffs on exports of oil, gas, and other products to the EU. For EU and EEA citizens living and working in Norway, an main benefit of Norway's EEA membership, is that it gives them the right to live and work freely in the country without the need to obtain residency or work permits. Norway is, however, allowed to set its own energy policy. Norway is also part of Europol, the European's police cooperation body, under an agreement signed in 2001. Advertisement How is Norway affected by NOT being part of EU's agricultural or fisheries policies? It's no surprise that the Norwegian party which campaigned most strongly against EU membership was the party that represents farmers in Norway, the Centre Party. Norway's farmers are much more heavily subsidised than even what is allowable under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. Norway's system is designed to protect the small-scale, often remote farms that dot the country, promoting self-sufficiency and local life. These farms are also protected by the high tariffs Norway imposes on imported agricultural goods. This may be good for farmers but leads to more expensive, less varied food in the supermarkets than you might find in other EU countries. Being outside the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, meanwhile, means that Norway controls access to vast, rich fishing grounds in its Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Atlantic and Barents Sea, helping to keep the country's sizeable fishing fleet in business. For consumers, the benefits are less clear, especially given the relatively high cost of fish in Norwegian supermarkets. Advertisement What it misses out on by not being in the EU The system of so-called 'fax democracy' means that Norway a rule taker rather than a rule maker on EU internal market rules and regulations. Being a member would give Norway's government more power to steer EU policy in directions that are in its interests. Although Norway is part of the EU's internal market, it is not part of the EU Customs Union, which means it has to negotiate its own free trade agreements with countries outside the EU, and also has to customs checks on goods traded between Norway and the EU. The flip side of not having to contribute so heavily to the EU's budget is not being eligible for EU funding for infrastructure and other projects, or for EU subsidies for fisheries or agriculture. Norway is not part of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, something which is increasingly awkward given the EU's growing role in regional defence. Not part of EU Defence Framework: Norway is not part of the EU's defense and security initiatives, although it is a member of NATO. This means it may not benefit directly from EU-led defense projects or cooperation. Norwegians miss out on several rights that EU citizens enjoy, such as the right to vote in elections if they are resident in an EU country, not having a European Health Insurance Card, and having less right to bring family members to join them if they move to an EU country. Norway is also not part of the EU Blue Card scheme, meaning people who have received blue card residency rights from another EU country cannot use them to work in Norway.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Travel update: Brussels Airport cancels 30% of flights amid nationwide strike
Airports in Belgium are bracing for major service disruptions tomorrow, Tuesday 29 April, amid a nationwide strike of both private and public sector workers. Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport have warned travellers to expect cancellations and delays, particularly for departing flights. The walk-out has been organised by Belgian trade unions CVC/ACV and FGTB/ABVV to protest against government reforms affecting pensions, working conditions and wage regulations. The industrial action is expected to severely impact security and baggage handling at Brussels Airport in Zaventem on Tuesday. Belgium's main flight hub announced that it has requested airlines to limit operations in preparation. At least 30 per cent of departing flights have already been cancelled. 'Significant disruption is expected throughout the day,' the airport has warned. Official advice for passengers is to check flight status updates regularly and prepare for possible delays or last-minute changes. Arriving flights are expected to run on schedule, although the airport says modifications may occur as the situation develops during the day. A spokesperson added that further departing flights may be scrapped depending on how the industrial action develops over the next 24 hours. Brussels Airlines, which is based at the airport, will be most affected by the strike. The carrier has already scrapped around 70 flights on Tuesday. Passengers are being notified via email and should receive guidance on rebooking or claiming a refund through a dedicated online portal. 'This process takes several hours, as we aim to offer travellers alternative solutions immediately - such as rebooking on a different flight or routing via another airport,' Brussels Airlines spokesperson, Nico Cardone, said. Charleroi Airport (BSCA) will also feel the impact of the strikes. It has scrapped all departing flights on Tuesday, citing insufficient staff "to run operations in complete safety", according to news site Brussels Times. The latest updates are that arriving flights should not experience major disruption, although passengers are advised to monitor updates in the run-up. Travellers have also been warned to leave plenty of time for journeys to airports in Brussels. Public transport across the city will be disrupted by the strikes, with train, metro, tram and bus services all affected. "We will do everything in our power to ensure at least part of the service, and will inform passengers in real time about the situation on the network," public transport operator STIB/MIVB said. Related Symbol of a connected Europe: Eurostar's drive for reinvention amid Brexit, competition and strikes Europe's travel strikes: Flight and train disruption you can expect in 2025 Brussels Airport advises passengers to arrive at least two hours before departure for Schengen destinations and three hours for non-Schengen flights. The transport hub has urged passengers to follow updates on official communication channels and monitor airline websites closely. 'We are doing our utmost to minimise the inconvenience for our passengers, but given the national scope of the strike, disruption will be unavoidable,' the airport added. Nearby airports may experience knock-on effects of the strikes as flights are re-routed or passengers book alternative routes.
