European Union reinforces visa application regulations
If you are going to travel soon to any of the member countries of the European Union, it’s worth paying attention to the new agreed changes for member states:
- The application fee will increase from €60 to €80
- Instead of the current three months, applications will be accepted up to six months in advance of the planned trip, and in most cases, can be made directly in the country of residence
- The application can be completed and signed electronically
- Children between the ages of 6 and 18 will be exempt from the application fee
- Frequent travellers with a favourable visa record can avail of permits for multiple entries, with the validity being gradually extended from one year up to a maximum of five years
- Visa applications will be adjusted depending on third-country cooperation in terms of return and readmission of illegal migrants
The European Parliament and the European Council reached a provisional agreement on the Commission’s proposal to modernise EU visa policy, in order to make visa applications more flexible for entering Europe, while at the same time reinforcing security measures to reduce the risks of illegal migration.
This modernisation, as well as addressing the Commission’s proposal to update the Visa Information System, also forms part of the reform of the EU’s common visa policy and aims to ensure the external border security of the area.
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