In an attempt to put an end to irregular migration to the bloc, the European Union wants to tighten the visa-free entry rules for some visa-exempt third countries.
The news of the move was announced by the EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, who said that the authority will soon make a formal proposal to change the visa regime, Schengen.News reports.
In letters seen by Euractiv, Commissioner Johansson said that in July 2024, the Commission would issue a proposal to tighten the rules under the clause that allows the suspension of visa privileges for countries that refuse to cooperate in the readmission of their citizens.
In July, the Commission will issue proposals on visa measures under Article 25a of the Visa Code.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson
This means that countries that do not cooperate in the readmission of their citizens whose asylum applications have been rejected by the EU will, in the future, have their visa-free entry privileges suspended without additional warnings.
While the official proposal is yet to be announced, Commissioner Johansson called on the authorities to start negotiations as soon as possible on the revision of the visa suspension mechanisms.
Tightened Rules Will Reduce Irregular Migration, Commissioner Johansson Said
According to Commissioner Johansson, an amendment to the current mechanism will reduce irregular migration to the bloc and, at the same time, will lower the number of rejected asylum applications filed by nationals of countries that enjoy visa-free entry to the EU.
[The revision of the visa suspension mechanism] will reduce irregular immigration by tackling the huge number of unfounded asylum applications from visa-exempt countries, making the mechanism easier to apply and strengthening its deterrent effect.
As Euractiv explains, the mechanism’s reform has been under discussion for some time now. However, the MEPs need to formally approve changes to this particular clause of the Visa Code before this rule can be tightened.
EU Just Recently Proposed to Suspend Visa-Free Travel for Vanuatu Permanently
Vanuatu is one of the countries that risks having the Schengen visa requirement reintroduced permanently as the country has failed to address irregular migration as well as reside security risks of its investor citizenship schemes.
Earlier in May of this year, the EU Commission proposed to suspend visa-free travel privileges for Vanuatu permanently.
The EU already temporarily suspended visa-free travel to the Schengen Area for Vanuatu passport holders in May 2022. Since this measure has not proven to be effective, a permanent requirement for visas has been deemed as necessary.
