Weekend Digest: Easier Schengen access, Spain’s Nomad Visa, Bangladesh’s passport progress and more

This weekend’s top stories cover major travel updates, legal rulings, and inspiring personal milestones. UAE residents will benefit from faster Schengen visa access and Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, while Bangladesh’s passport climbs higher in global rankings. A UAE court revoked a mother’s custody over a moral offence, and Saudi Arabia shut 25 hotels in Mecca. Plus, learn about Salik toll timings, NRI tax rules for Indians in the UAE, and online passport renewal tips for Pakistanis. Scroll down for a quick recap:

UAE travellers get easier Schengen visa access to Europe from October 12

Planning a trip to France, Italy, Germany or anywhere else in Europe’s Schengen zone? From October 12, 2025, your entry into these countries will look very different. For UAE travellers, this means faster e-gates, no more visa stickers, and smoother arrivals. Read more…

Bangladesh passport gets stronger in latest rankings, climbs for fourth straight year

The Bangladeshi passport has climbed up a spot in the latest passport rankings unveiled by Henley and Partners. According to the 2025 mid-year standings, the country’s passport now ranks 94th compared to 97th in 2024. In fact, the document has continued to steadily inch its way upwards from the 108th spot it held in 2021 – it’s lowest ranking ever. In 2022, it ranked 103rd, and 101st in 2023. Read more…

When are Salik gates free in Dubai? Toll timings, explained

If you’re driving in Dubai and hoping to avoid toll charges, the good news is that Salik does offer free hours but they’re limited. While Salik gates are not entirely free at any point in the day, certain off-peak windows allow motorists to pass through without being charged. Here’s everything you need to know about when tolls apply, Salik's variable toll pricing and timings and which gates have special rules. Read more… 

UAE court revokes custody from mother convicted of moral offence

The Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Claims has ruled to revoke the custody rights of an Arab mother over her four children, citing a criminal conviction involving an offence against honour and integrity. According to court documents, the children’s father filed a lawsuit requesting custody, arguing that his ex-wife was unfit to raise their children due to her criminal conviction. Read more…

Saudi Arabia closes 25 of Mecca hotels for breaching tourism regulations

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has shut down 25 hospitality establishments in Mecca during July for breaching tourism regulations. The closures followed intensified inspection campaigns aimed at protecting visitor safety and ensuring compliance in the holy city. Read more…

Work remotely from Spain? How UAE residents qualify for Digital Nomad Visa

For many UAE residents, the idea of living in Spain—where café culture meets beachside workdays—is more than a vacation fantasy. Thanks to Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), remote workers and freelancers can now legally live in the country for up to five years while continuing to work for clients or companies based outside Spain. So, if you’re currently living in the UAE and working remotely—whether as an employee or a self-employed professional—this could be your gateway to life in Europe. Read more…

Emirates Road: Travel time to cut by 45% from Dubai to Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah

A major road expansion project will start soon to reduce travel time by 45 per cent for from Dubai to Sharjah and other northern emirates. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced a mega Dh750 million enhancement project for Emirates Road, a strategic federal highway that links Dubai with Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah. Read more…

From security to manager: LuLu staff earns degree, wins boss Yusuffali’s heart

In a heartwarming gesture of recognition, LuLu Group chairman M.A. Yusuffali honoured a long-serving Saudi employee for earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration while working full-time. Zaid Battal Al-Subaiee, who joined LuLu in 2009 as a security supervisor, recently graduated from King Faisal University in Al Ahsa after balancing work and studies. Over his 17-year journey with the retail giant, he steadily climbed the ranks to become a regional administration manager. Read more…

Why UAE NRIs must file ITRs in India this year

Let’s be honest — filing taxes in India might be the last thing on your mind when you’re working in the UAE. But if you're an Indian living here with any kind of connection back home — like a flat, a bank account, or investments — chances are, you may need to file a tax return in India this year. Even if you don’t owe any tax, it might still make sense to file. Let’s break it down in the easiest way possible — who needs to file, why it helps, and how to do it online from your sofa in Dubai. Read more…

Fast Pakistani passport and ID renewal: Consul General urges community to use online services

Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai, Hussain Mohammed, has urged members of the Pakistani community in UAE to make full use of the official online platform for passport and ID card applications to avoid long queues due to massive rush. Speaking Gulf News, the Consul General emphasised that online applications are now the primary and most effective way to access consular services.  Read more…