EU to Reform Visa Code
The European Parliament has approved a new EU visa code to simplify the application and issuance of short-stay visas. 428 votes were in favour, with 123 against. The document has been informally agreed with the EU Council of Ministers and will enter into force after approval by the Council.
Changes to the Code will apply six months after publication in the Official Gazette of the EU. The reform will “simplify the procedure for requesting and issuing short-stay visas,” and the EU says it will “use its visa policy to encourage non-EU countries to cooperate on migration issues.”
Consequently, visa fees, the time taken to decide on applications and the duration of multiple entry visas “may be adjusted depending on whether the non-EU country concerned is cooperating sufficiently or insufficiently in the readmission of illegal migrants.”
The revised code will establish a process for issuing visas to citizens of more than 100 non-EU countries who travel to the EU for a short time (up to 90 days in any 180-day period).
It will provide a simplification of procedures for bona fides travellers, which will be done in a direct link between visa and migration policies.
Visa applications can be submitted six months in advance (now three months), and 15 days before the scheduled tour. The cost of the visa will increase to €80.
Source: tourprom