Gradual commissioning of the Entry/Exit System (EES) from October 12, 2025 at the Schengen external borders
03/10/2025

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

From October 12, 2025, Member States will start the phased introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) over a period of 6 months. During this phase, border authorities will gradually record the data of entering and exiting third-country nationals in the EES.

At the end of the 6 months, from April 10, 2026, the EES will be fully applied at all border crossings at the Schengen external border. The gradual introduction is intended to support border authorities, carriers and travelers in the transition to the new border control processes.

The EES is an IT system that digitally records the entry and exit of non-EU citizens traveling to one of the 29 participating European countries for a short-term stay.

In the beginning, the introduction is planned at Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main and Munich airports and will be continuously expanded.

Further information can be found at:

https://www.bmi.gv.at/202/Fremdenpolizei_und_Grenzkontrolle/Entry_Exit_System/

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/de/ees/what-is-the-ees##

https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/09/entry-exit-system.html

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards

Your ÖVKG team

INDIA - from 01.10.2025 e-Arrival Card on entry
29/09/2025

From 01.10.2025, all travelers must complete an e-Arrvial Card within 72 hours before entering India.

The e-Arrival Card must be completed before every entry.

Source:https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/

The ÖVKG will be happy to support you.

Your ÖVKG team

China- Closing days: October 1-3, 2025
24/09/2025

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

The Chinese Embassy as well as the consular provider will be closed from October 1 to 3, 2025.

Quelle:https://www.visaforchina.cn/VIE3_DE/tongzhigonggao/328455052761108480.html

Please allow for longer processing times during this period.

Best regards

Your ÖVKG team

China - visa-free entry extended - Russian citizens visa-free from 15.09.2025
15/09/2025

The Chinese authorities have announced that visa-free entry has been extended and that Russian citizens will now also be able to enter the country without a visa from 15.09.2025.

Quelle:https://german.xinhuanet.com/20250903/9a8aabeaf28746d7a8f529f9e7e701b6/c.html

Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Russian Federation

USA: new fees for ESTA from 30.09.2025
09/09/2025

Good afternoon,

We would like to inform you that the US consular fees for ESTA will increase to 40 USD from 30.09.2025.

Quelle:https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the ÖVKG team.

Your ÖVKG team