Starting with May next year, there will be some new visa regulations for those who intend to visit countries of the European Union. There's still time to look into these regulations and see what's it all about. The news ,however, made me think of visas and passports in general, and how they have become a highly profitable business in particular.
Not only does the service of issuing / renewing/replacing a visa/passport cost the applicant good money, but countries are willing to sell these documents to those not elligible at all, for a substantial sum of money invested in a house/business/bank account . Requirements such as basic knowledge of the language by the applicant for the passport, has been shamelessly removed in many cases.
Don't you worry, said someone to me; after getting the money for the passport, at the tiniest move or request they'll send the new passport owner to learn the language and culture of the place. Money first, national pride next, but still there.
A passport does not only serve as a travel document, but is also evidence of citizenship. I've got double citizenship : romanian (by birth) and israeli. As Romania is part of the European Union its passport is an european one.
An additional passport is an asset, and a sort of investment. It might help with retirement, relocation, taxes, work, studies, life improvements.
At my age, I don't plan any relocation , but one never knows what God's plans are. Suppose personal safety gets treatened by certain events (war, famine,earthquake,crime) one might consider migration to what looks like a safer place.
In my nearby area, Cyprus followed by Portugal, seems to be a popular EU citizenship source. Many hundreds of russians, brits, and israelis have relocated on this island.
Among the non-EU passports in the near area, the turkish one is quite sought after. No wonder, Turkie has a more or less steady regime, it is more or less a self-sufficient country. We, in Israel import quite a lot of essentials from Turkie ; it's all good stuff (potatoes, mineral water, canned food etc..) and no less important, decently priced.
Interesting about new visa requirements
ReplyDeleteIt probably involves paying a fee.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were originally from Romania. My niece married someone from Romania. They live in the US now. He just traveled there to see family. It's a beautiful country!
ReplyDeleteYes, Romania's a beautiful country with nice, friendly people. Your niece will probably agree with me.
DeleteI like to travel, I hope that it is not difficult for us to get a passport or visa.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of another topic, I recommend visiting Turkey, a country that surprised me a lot for its landscapes, its history.
Greetings Dute.
Indeed, Turkie (they wish to give up 'Turkey' which is a fowl) has a lot to offer the tourist.
DeleteVisiting this country is a good recommendation.
You wrote: at my age, I don't plan any relocation , but one never knows what God's plans are. Suppose personal safety gets threatened by terrible events... one might consider migration to what looks like a safer place.
ReplyDeleteThat was true in every generation! Having a passport was the only possibility, for example, for the successive generations of a family moving from Lithuania to Ukraine to Australia to Israel.
But safety might only last for two generations i.e 50 years
That's not a generation thing. That's a constant thing of personal safety that might get threatened by natural or man-made events.
DeleteInteresting. I believe we here in Australia have a few things imported from Turkey, I know one is wool to knit or crochet with, don't know about food.
ReplyDeleteIf I lived over your way or in Europe certainly would have a Passport. Not needed here unless one goes overseas which many do.
Australia's considered Paradise, yet it's somehow close to 'the end of the world', near that awful Indian Ocean. Climate Change might make many australians decide to get a passport to the world.
DeleteThese days, there is a fee for almost everything. Here we say, "No money, no talk."
ReplyDeleteYou don't say! Well, that seems a bit far-fetched.
DeleteMoney money money..we seem to be giving it out here in the state which of course is leading to more political issues that are left in gridlock. I did notice recently from a patron who doesn't even drive nor keep up with her library card showed me what was issued to her and on her ID it said at the top "Passport" and she says, "You know, I can leave the country anytime I want." Of course, she told me she wasn't going anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are on top of this. Thanks for the post!
True; a passport allows freedom of staying or leaving a place. Freedom is wonderful, and so is the feeling of having an additional passport.
DeleteI hope things are well with you and the temps are getting cooler. Possibly a cool front moving in here. They say rain, but I have doubtful about it. Thanks for your comments. I do appreciate them. I love reading your posts too. I hope you have a good weekend. Recently, we bought apples called ENVY. I have to say I really like these apples.
DeleteCooler temps make for cooler thinking and behaving. I do love reading your posts too; they are very special, displaying an interesting weaving of events.
DeleteENVY apples, as far as I know, have been developed in N.Z.; they're red with yellow speckles. Haven't had the chance to taste them yet.
I never thought about dual citizenship.
ReplyDeleteThe Dutch ID card is valid as a travel document within the EU countrie, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey and Switzerland. Buth with a passport you can go anywhere in case of an emergency. So I advised my son to buy a passport now. He did it.
Well, you don't need one, unless you wish an american/australian/asian/african additional one to your european citizenship.
DeleteBeing born in in Holland you can travel with your ID to any other european country.
I have never gotten a passport because I don't like to travel and know I would never use it. I refuse to fly because the airlines treat people like dirt so there's that too. But I can imagine it's a hassle to deal with getting a passport at times.
ReplyDeleteNever say never! However, you're right about airlines. They have become worse since Covid.
DeleteMy passport has long been expired. I won't be renewing it as I have no intentions of travelling anywhere where it would be needed. Actually, I've no plans to travel anywhere other than to my local supermarket. Not only am I old-fashioned, but I'm boring, too! :)
ReplyDeleteHopefully, no visa or passport will be required in the near future for the supermarket:)
DeleteBefore passports were required here between Mexico and Canada I often visited my Canadian friends. Now I stay pot in the US since a passport is required. Dont have one. Janice
ReplyDeleteYou mean a US passport. I thought one could travel to Canada with proper US identification only.
ReplyDeleteThank you. At one point or the other, you'll probably need a visa or a passport to go some place, and so the things in my post will interest you.
ReplyDeleteThe world is in such a sad state. We used ot cruise once a year, but not since Covid. We renewed our passports, just in case...whatever. One never knows.
ReplyDeleteSad, indeed. You've done well to renew the passports; just in case you wish to renew your travels.
DeleteBoa tarde minha querida amiga. Acho que isso é para evitar a entrada de pessoas. Obrigado pela excelente matéria e explicações.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the need for documents such as visa/passport, make the coming into a country of people, more difficult.
DeleteSomeday in the future, people might travel everywhere without a passport.
ReplyDeleteThat will be the day! Free travel to anywhere in the world - it's possible and desirable.
DeleteWe renewed our passports last year as they would have expired within a year and we wanted more current ones. The new ones are for 10 years and while we do not have any immediate far-off travel planned, we thought it would be good to have updated documents, just in case. And, the cost is definitely not inexpensive with the necessary photos included.
ReplyDeleteGood move, renewing your passports! One never knows when the need for them arises.
DeleteDocuments of that kind should regularly be updated.
I recently went through a stress full time when my renewed passport took overly long to be issued. I'll never leave it till the last minute to renew it again. Mind you, I doubt I will be wanting to travel any more in 10 years time. But I'll keep it current none the less. You just never know when it will be needed. Good on you for such sensible forethought.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, procedures might be stressful. You've got the right attitude Pauline, about keeping the passport updated, whatever it takes.
DeleteNo travel plans here, but you never know, that's why my passport was renewed, and it's a great source for identification. The bottom line to most everything is money!
ReplyDeleteThe key sentence is 'one never knows'. Plans are not always in our hands, and we should be prepared and organized the best we can.
DeleteBoa tarde e um ótimo sábado com muita paz e saúde minha querida amiga Duta.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Luiz. Have a healthy, peaceful weekend too!
DeleteThank you! So far, so good.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sharon.
DeleteAchei estranho novas regras na Comunidade Européia tendo em vista a crise econômica experimentada por todos os países do bloco. Imaginava eles relaxar entradas para angariar mais recursos financeiros. Mas por outro lado, penso na invasão de estrangeiros que acabam ficando por lá e tumultuando a vida do povo, empobrecendo mais ainda o combalido país. Abraço fraterno. Laerte.
ReplyDeleteRight. Europe is facing a double crisis: economic and humanitarian (migrants invading its countries). Hence, new rules.
DeleteThis is very interesting, and it is also good to know. I had no idea about this until I read about it here. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteWishing you well, my friend. Have a wonderful Sunday night!
I'm glad you find the subject of my post interesting.You never know when you might need a visa or passport.
DeleteWishing you the very Best!
I have two passports and I am very glad about it. As you said, you never know what might happen - and I feel a lot calmer with the option of moving back to my native country. Since that country is within the EU, a good number of countries is open to me.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Good thinking, Carola!
ReplyDelete