Anyone who has traveled to Europe knows that applying for a Schengen visa can be quite difficult. However, starting from April 5, a new regulation concerning the unification and simplification of Schengen visa procedures within the EU will come into effect. This is undoubtedly good news for those planning to travel to Europe in the future.
There are a total of 25 countries in Europe that are part of the Schengen Area, including 22 of the 27 EU member states, along with Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland. Travelers only need one Schengen visa to move freely within these 25 countries. Every year, approximately 10 million foreign visitors enter Schengen countries for travel. However, before the new regulation takes effect, that is, until April 4, although the 25 Schengen countries issue the same Schengen visa, the procedures and requirements for obtaining the visa vary from country to country, which can be quite troublesome for applicants. The Director of the Visa Department of the European Commission, Mr. Sestay, admitted that the previous Schengen visa procedures were indeed "extremely unfriendly"; not only were the visa fees high, but applicants also had to wait in line, with some even having to wait several months, and ultimately being denied a visa without any explanation.
Ms. Malmström, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, stated that now the 25 countries will use the same visa system, adopting identical visa procedures and requirements.
The new visa system features: more transparent and quicker procedures, and a reduction in visa fees. The new regulation stipulates that any consulate of a Schengen country must meet with the applicant within two weeks of receiving the visa application, and must issue the visa within the following 15 working days; if a visa is not granted, a reason must be provided. Furthermore, starting next year, applicants who are denied a visa will also be able to take legal action in any Schengen country, meaning they can sue the consulate in court. Additionally, the fee for short-term visas valid for up to 30 days will remain at 60 euros, but the visa fee for children aged 6 to 12 will be reduced to 35 euros. Moreover, the visa application form itself has also been significantly simplified.
