The visa denials and the completion of the new: the Ukrainians warned about new guidelines on travel to the EU
KIEV. April 17. UNN. The European Commission has prepared new Recommendations for the implementation of the temporary restrictions on an optional trip to the EU. Read more about them told at the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia, reports UNN.
“In the context of the introduction of temporary restrictions for third country nationals to travel in the EU without a critical need for 30 days outlined in the “Temporary restrictions on optional trips to the EU”, the European Commission has prepared a new recommendation “On the introduction of temporary restrictions on unnecessary travel in the EU, a simplified transit regime for the repatriation of EU citizens, the impact on visa policy”, — said the diplomat.
In particular:
1. To continue a temporary restriction all nonessential travel from third countries into the territory of the EU. According to the Schengen borders Code and national legislation adopted to ensure coherence in the fight against COVID-19, border authorities of the EU member States are allowed to refuse entry to third country nationals if they have relevant symptoms, were at risk of infection and can potentially pose a threat to public health.
Also member States of the EU can apply measures, in particular, to require third-country nationals entering their territory, to self-isolation or similar events after their return from the region, which has suffered from COVID-19. In case of departure from the territory of the EU border service will conduct appropriate screening to identify cases of infection COVID-19 and will not be allowed to travel on coronavirus-infected persons. At the same time, the list of persons with special functions or needs on which the restrictions do not apply (medical practitioners, guards, transportation personnel, diplomats, transit passengers, passengers travelling in connection with urgent family circumstances or in need of international protection) was added seasonal workers in agriculture.
2. A simplified transit regime for the repatriation of EU citizens and their family members. According to the Recommendations, member States of the EU should contribute to the further transit of EU citizens and their family members, irrespective of their nationality and third country nationals and their dependents who have a residence permit and return to the member state of their nationality or place of residence. Evidence regarding the transit can serve as a confirmation of the booking of plane tickets, train, etc. (it is possible to obtain such evidence directly at the border, for example, to buy tickets at the airport or at the station).
3. The decrease in the number of issued visas in consular offices of the member States of the EU.
Consular offices of member States of the EU are asked to provide minimal services for the issuance of visas to specific categories of applicants (participants of events, military or security, for urgent medical reasons, other categories identified in paragraph 1 of the Recommendations, etc.). In addition, of those who had received visas at the border crossing to demand the justification of their trip with a request to provide supporting documents and to inform about the need for screening of health status and, in certain cases, to a regime of self-isolation after arriving in the territory of the EU.
4. Extension of terms of stay of foreigners in connection with the restrictions on travel, including for third country nationals not requiring a visa. Persons who do not require visas and are forced to stay on the territory of a member state of the EU allowed more than 90/180 days, have issued national long-term visa or temporary residence permit by the competent national authorities.
As reported by UNN, in the information-analytical project SchengenVisaInfo predict that the external borders of the member States of the European economic space can remain closed until September, and after their opening, from the applicants for a visa, may require confirmation of a negative test result for coronavirus, and vaccination.