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The European Commission has unveiled its inaugural comprehensive strategy for the European Union's visa policy. This initiative seeks to modernize and harmonize visa management across member states, while boosting global connectivity and enhancing the EU's tourism sector's competitiveness.
The Commission highlighted that the Schengen Area stands as the world's most visited destination, with around 40% of international travelers crossing its external borders. Tourism contributes roughly 10% to the EU's GDP and sustains approximately 23 million jobs in various sectors.
The strategy emphasizes that the visa system acts as the EU's primary defense against irregular migration, organized crime, and terrorism.
The Commission revealed plans to consider issuing multi-entry visas beyond the current five-year maximum. These long-validity visas are intended to reward reliable travelers, easing administrative processes and boosting economic activity. In partnership with member states, the Commission will explore offering multi-entry visas for tourism and business with validity periods exceeding five years for applicants with a clean visa record, posing no migration or security risks.
Additionally, the Commission is weighing potential exemptions from the 90-day rule within 180 days in the Schengen Area for specific groups, including itinerant artists, athletes, and cross-border project experts.
The statement noted that particular indicators will guide visa exemption decisions for third countries, such as visa refusal rates, unfounded asylum claims, cooperation in migrant returns, and security standards, with an agreement on these criteria anticipated by 2026.
As part of a pilot initiative, an office will be established in India, focusing on the information and communications sector to assist non-EU nationals and employers with migration-related procedures, with plans for potential expansion to other sectors and countries in the future.
