The European Parliament has passed new rules that make it easier for the EU to revoke visa-free access for countries whose citizens pose security threats or fail to respect human rights. The legislation applies to 61 countries that currently allow short-term stays in the Schengen Zone of up to 90 days in any 180 days without a visa.
Under the updated framework, the European Commission can begin by temporarily suspending visa-free entry for a nation if there are concerns about safety, serious criminal activity, overstays, or a spike in rejected asylum applications. If these issues remain unresolved, the suspension can be made permanent. Until now, the only instance of revoked visa-free travel has involved Vanuatu.
Expanded reasons for suspension
The reforms introduce several new triggers for removing visa privileges. These include hybrid threats, such as the manipulation of migration by a foreign state, including investor citizenship programs (often referred to as “golden passports”), violations of international law or UN mandates, and failure to comply with international court decisions. Existing factors, like general security risks or lack of cooperation on returning migrants, remain part of the criteria.