The European Commission proposes to tighten the visa policy for non-EU countries. With this proposal, which is now before the European Parliament and EU ministers, the Commission aims to combat illegal migration and respond more quickly to security risks. The measures focus on extending the suspension period and making it easier to end visa-free arrangements with partner countries.
The European Commission wants to monitor more closely travel to the European Union without a visa. The EU executive board has submitted a bill to this end. With this, the committee aims not only to stop illegal migration, but also to respond more quickly to situations in which the security and stability of member states could be endangered.
Travel to Europe visa-free
Currently, citizens from sixty non-EU countries can travel to Europe without a visa and stay there for up to ninety days. This visa-free policy certainly has advantages. It can contribute to “economic, social and cultural benefits” and can also boost tourism and business. Data from the European Commission shows that almost 2019 million people took advantage of this scheme in 400.
However, the Commission also identifies potential risks. For example, it can happen that people from a country for which an EU visa is required first travel to a country where this is not the case and from there travel illegally to the EU. An example of this is the situation in which many asylum seekers entered the Schengen area via Serbia. There have also been cases of travelers staying in the EU for longer than the permitted ninety days or incorrectly applying for asylum.
Suspend visa-free travel for a longer period if necessary
To meet these challenges, the Commission has proposed several measures. She wants the option to suspend visa-free travel from specific countries for a longer period, namely from 27 to a maximum of 36 months. Furthermore, the Commission wants to make it easier to end the visa-free regime with a partner country, especially if that country has a more flexible visa policy than the EU itself. This eliminates the risk of people traveling illegally to the EU via such a partner country, as previously happened from Serbia.
If there is a sudden sharp increase in the number of asylum applications from partner countries, it should also become easier visa-free travel to pause temporarily.
This bill has now been forwarded to the European Parliament and EU ministers. Before a final decision is made, they will clarify their positions on the proposal and then negotiate a final decision.
Source: EU
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