About: visa policy
Council adopts changes to visa system in a bid to boost security
EU member states have approved changes to the European visa system aimed at increasing security in the Schengen area by providing for greater monitoring of short-stay and residence permits.
United States toughens visa rules for ‘malign’ Chinese Communist Party members
US President Donald Trump’s administration has restricted travel to the United States by Chinese Communist Party members and their families, the New York Times newspaper reported on Thursday (3 December), a move China condemned as political oppression.
US, Turkey mutually suspend visa services for ‘security reasons’
The US mission in Turkey and then the Turkish mission in Washington mutually scaled back visa services after a US consulate employee was arrested in Turkey, in the latest sign of fraying diplomatic relations between the NATO allies.
UK free to introduce visas on Poland and other EU members after Brexit
The UK will be free to introduce visas to Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and may do so after its “orderly exit” from the Union, Britain’s chief negotiator David Davis said on Thursday today (28 September), answering a question from EURACTIV.com.
US embassies ordered to identify population groups for tougher visa screening
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has directed US diplomatic missions to identify "populations warranting increased scrutiny" and toughen screening for visa applicants in those groups, according to diplomatic cables seen by Reuters.
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.
Reuniting refugee families ‘not a priority’ for Berlin
Recognised asylum seekers face huge difficulties bringing their families to Germany, Syrian refugees included. In comparison to other EU member states, Germany has particularly high bureaucratic requirements. EURACTIV's partner Tagesspiegel reports.
US passes bill to keep away ‘foreign fighters’
The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly yesterday (8 December) to tighten restrictions on travel to the United States by citizens of 38 nations who are allowed to enter the country without obtaining a visa.
Bulgaria links US visa treatment to TTIP
The Bulgarian minister of economy has stated that during the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) talks the United States should lift the visa requirements on the country’s nationals, Dnevnik, the EURACTIV partner in Bulgaria wrote yesterday (26 November).
EU gives US six months to come clean on visa policy
EXCLUSIVE / The European Commission has told the United States to lift visa requirements on Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Croatia, whose citizens still need an entry permit to travel to the country.
US shutdown could affect five EU states’ visa services
The US government began a partial shutdown today (1 October), potentially putting up to 1 million workers on unpaid leave, closing national parks and stalling medical research projects. Consular services could also be affected, causing difficulties to nationals of five EU countries still subject to US visa requirements.
Tajani: EU should open up to Russian, Chinese tourists
EU countries should introduce as early as this summer a much more flexible system to deliver visas to citizens of Russia, China and Brazil who are "big spenders" as tourists, Antonio Tajani, commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Tajani wants ‘more flexible’ visas to lure foreign tourists
Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, in charge of enterprise and industry, has pleaded for easing visa requirements on foreign tourists, starting with nationals from Russia, China and Brazil. In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV, he said the proposal could deliver much-needed growth for Europe in times of crisis.
Foreign Minister: Bridges symbolise change for Ukrainians
To illustrate the changes in Ukraine under its new leadership, the country's foreign minister, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, referred to three bridges in Kyiv, the construction of which had been stagnating for the past five years. Now people can see that they are actually being built, he told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Sword of Damocles hangs over visa liberalisation
The EU yesterday (8 November) lifted visa requirements for citizens from Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, an unprecedented monitoring mechanism has been set up which could reintroduce visas for several Western Balkan countries should difficulties arise.
Schengen celebrates, prepares for enlargement
Bulgaria and Romania have both moved closer to Schengen area as the European Commission today (14 June) marks the 25th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement, providing for the gradual abolition of frontier checks at their common borders with other EU countries.
Pragmatism prevails at EU-Russia summit
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is hosting EU leaders today (1 June) for a summit aimed at putting aside past differences and focusing on reviving trade and boosting troubled economies.
Minister: Ukraine is next for EU visa-free travel
After Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro, whose citizens enjoy visa free travel in the Schengen space, the next country to break the visa barrier will be Ukraine, the country's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ukraine Konstantin Yelisieiev told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
MEPs ask Canada to lift visa requirements for all EU citizens
The European Parliament called on Canada to ensure visa-free travel for all EU citizens in a wide-ranging resolution adopted yesterday (5 May) by a show of hands. EURACTIV Czech Republic contributed to this article.European Court decision gives hope to Turkish travellers
A recent European Court of Justice ruling has increased the chances of speeding up the abolition of visa requirements for Turkish citizens visiting the EU, the president of Turkey's Economic Development Foundation (IKV), Professor Haluk Kabaalioglu, told EURACTIV Turkey in an interview.
Lawmaker: EU-US data deals ‘will have to be re-opened’
The prospect of a swift ratification of the Lisbon Treaty following the Irish 'yes' last weekend will allow the European Parliament to re-open sensitive dossiers, including bilateral agreements on visa waivers with the United States, according to MEP Sophie in 't Veld.
EU Parliament set to ‘re-open’ visa deal with US
The prospect of a swift ratification of the Lisbon Treaty following the Irish 'yes' last weekend will allow the European Parliament to re-open sensitive dossiers, including bilateral agreements on visa waivers with the United States that involve the transfer of personal data.
EU backs Prague in Canada visa row
Jacques Barrot, the European Commission vice-president in charge of justice, freedom and security, said yesterday (21 September) that he would ask EU countries to adopt retaliatory measures against Canada if it does not move to lift visa restrictions on Czech citizens by the end of the year.