The European Commission has proposed reforming the EU visa policy to simplify the process of obtaining visas for tourist trips to Europe. Among the proposed measures are a reduction in the visa issuance period, the possibility of obtaining them at the border, and a wider issuance of multiple entry visas. Interfax reports, citing the EU Delegation to the Russian Federation.
"The proposed changes to the Visa Code will make it easier for law-abiding travelers to obtain a visa to travel to Europe, which will facilitate the development of tourism, trade, and business, while at the same time strengthening security and reducing the risks of illegal migration," the statement said.
The proposed changes include reducing the decision-making period for visa applications from 15 to 10 days. Travelers will be able to submit applications six months before their planned trip, instead of the current three months, and complete and sign applications electronically.
Multiple-entry visas will be issued for longer periods. "Unified rules will apply to multiple-entry visas to eliminate 'visa shopping' and reduce costs and save time for Member States and frequent travelers. Such multiple-entry visas will be issued to reliable, regular travelers with a positive visa history for a period gradually increasing from one to five years. Travelers' compliance with entry requirements will be thoroughly and continuously verified," the statement reads.
At their external borders, EU Member States will be able to issue single-entry visas under temporary, seasonal schemes under strict conditions. Such visas will be valid for stays of no more than seven days only within the territory of the Member State that issued the visa.
The European Commission also proposed increasing the visa fee. "Given the significant increase in visa application processing costs over recent years, a slight increase (from €60 to €80) in the visa fee, which has remained unchanged since 2006, is proposed. This increase is intended to enable Member States to maintain the required number of consular staff worldwide and to upgrade their information technology equipment and software without creating difficulties for visa applicants," the statement reads. According to the agreement concluded between the Russian Federation, the EU, and Schengen countries, the visa fee for Russian citizens is currently set at €35.
The Commission also proposes introducing a new mechanism that would trigger stricter visa conditions if a partner country fails to cooperate adequately on the readmission of irregular migrants, including travellers who entered the country in accordance with the rules and received a visa but overstayed.
"The new rules will enable the Commission to regularly assess cooperation with non-EU countries on return matters. If necessary, the Commission, in conjunction with Member States, will be able to decide on limited application of certain provisions of the Visa Code, including those related to the maximum processing time for applications, the validity of issued visas, the amount of visa fees, and the exemption from such fees for certain categories of travelers, such as diplomats," the document states.
Changes will also be made to the Visa Information System (VIS), a database that stores visa applications and biographical information about visa applicants.
"The reform aims to enable visa and border officials to carry out quick and effective checks on visa applicants. It will also close another information gap at the EU level by allowing national authorities to access and exchange information on long-term visas and residence permits for border security and management purposes. Key provisions will include mandatory checks of visa applicants against relevant security and migration databases and measures to ensure full interoperability of the VIS with pan-European databases, such as the newly established Entry-Exit System, the Schengen Information System, and the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS), through a Single Search Portal," the document states.
It is also reported that by the end of 2018, the European Commission will launch a preliminary study and begin discussions with the European Parliament and Member States on how to digitise the visa application process.
Citizens of 105 non-EU countries and entities require a visa to travel to the Schengen area. In 2016, nearly 14 million short-term Schengen visas were issued.
"The tourism industry plays a key role in the European economy, accounting for approximately 101% of EU GDP. While EU Member States are among the world's top tourist destinations, cumbersome and time-consuming procedures can deter tourists from traveling to Europe, diverting investment and spending elsewhere and negatively impacting the EU economy. At the same time, the benefits of visa-free travel must be balanced against improved migration, security, and border management to adequately address existing and future security and migration challenges," said Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs, and Citizenship.
Source: trn-news.ru