About: EU visa policy
Commission mulls digitalisation of visa system to fill in skills gap
The Schengen visa system is set to be fully digitalised under a new Commission proposal which would funnel applications and payments through a single platform.
The EU must grant visa free travel to Kosovo
The EU finally needs to make good on its oft-repeated promise to grant visa free travel to Kosovo, says Behgjet Pachouli.
Bolivia chases Schengen visa exemption
Bolivia wants visa-free travel for its citizens in the Schengen area and for Brussels to offer the same perks it does to other Latin American countries. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Doubts over Trump’s policies on Russia, trade and climate remain after first EU meeting
European Council President Donald Tusk has said he and US President Donald Trump have not seen common ground on climate, trade or Russia in their first meeting. They did agree on security and counterterrorism, he said.
Commission will not require visas for US citizens as ‘retaliation’
The European Commission has decided not to require visas for Americans travelling to Europe, rejecting calls from MEPs to retaliate against US visa requirements for citizens of five member states.
Canada set to gradually grant Bulgarians visa-free travel
Canada will lift visa requirements for some Bulgarians in 2017, ahead of a full-scale scrapping of the system by mid 2018, according to the country’s government. Romania wants complete waivers for its citizens in 2017. EURACTIV Romania reports.
Europe’s tech industry could get boost from visa overhaul
Changes to chaotic EU visa rules could help workers move to Europe if they receive a job offer—and their chances are better if they find work in the tech or healthcare sectors.
Brain gain: Six ways the EU startup visa will bring success to Europe
An EU-wide startup visa should make it easier for entrepreneurs to set up businesses and hire talented employees, writes Lenard Koschwitz.
Open Letter on visas for Romanian nationals entering Canada
Romanian MEP Sorin Moisă (PSD) has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, over visa requirement for Romanians and Bulgarians. An EU regulation from 2013 requires that third countries treat EU members without discrimination in visa matters.
Peruvians all set for visa-free Schengen travel
Peru's migration authority has started issuing its first biometric passports that will allow its citizens to undertake short-term visa-free travel within the Schengen area.
Merkel accused of pandering to Erdogan
The European People's Party (EPP) has reiterated its opposition to EU membership for Turkey, despite the agreement that was reached on Sunday (29 November). EURACTIV Germany reports.
Anti-gay vote ruins Ukraine’s chances for visa-free travel
Ukraine's parliament yesterday (5 November) scuppered the ex-Soviet country's chances of visa-free travel to most EU nations by blocking legislation that would have banned discrimination against gays in the workplace.
Colombians and Peruvians to keep visa exemption
The EU and Colombia hope to extend the current agreement that allows visa-free travel in the Schengen area before Christmas. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Moldovans to travel visa-free to the EU
EU institutions have decided to grant visa-free travel rights to Moldovan nationals today (3 April), who will now be able to travel to the Union's border-free Schengen area, if they hold a biometric passport.