The European Union plans to tighten visa-free entry rules for certain third countries to address irregular migration issues. This move, announced by EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, will involve proposing changes to the visa regime under Article 25a of the Visa Code in July 2024.
The changes aim to impose stricter rules on countries that do not cooperate with the EU in the readmission of their citizens whose asylum applications have been rejected. The new proposals will allow for the suspension of visa-free entry privileges for these countries without further warnings.
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The tightening of these rules is intended to reduce irregular migration and address the high number of unfounded asylum applications from visa-exempt countries. Commissioner Johansson emphasized that these measures will make the visa suspension mechanism more effective and serve as a deterrent against irregular migration.
The EU’s recent proposal to permanently suspend visa-free travel for Vanuatu, due to its failure to address irregular migration and security risks related to its investor citizenship schemes, reflects the EU’s commitment to enforcing stricter visa regulations. MEPs will need to formally approve the proposed changes before they can be implemented.
