Europe wants more flexible rules for Schengen visa
Good news for Dutch and Belgians who regularly travel to Europe with their Thai partner. The European Commission strives for a more flexible policy for the application of a Schengen visa.
Faster and easier issuing of a Schengen visa should promote tourism to Europe. Now the cumbersome and expensive visa procedures mean that millions of tourists, business people and other travelers refrain from visiting Europe every year. This costs the European economy billions of euros in revenue. The aim is to have an agreement in the European Parliament on the relaxation in 2015.
In 2013, the Schengen countries received more than 17 million visa applications, but there could have been many more. Many travelers from China, India, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa and Saudi Arabia stay away because they find the visa procedures too cumbersome, according to research. A relaxation of visa rules could attract 30 to 60 percent more visitors from those countries.
According to European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström, a more flexible visa policy over a five-year period could save Member States €130 billion in expenditure and 1,3 million jobs.
To stimulate the European economy and make it easier for travelers to come to the EU, the European Commission is proposing a major overhaul of visa rules. The main elements of the package are:
- The time for processing visa applications and deciding whether to issue them will be reduced from XNUMX to XNUMX days.
- Visa applicants should be able to apply for a visa in another EU Member State if the Member State competent to process the application is not present or represented in the applicant's country.
- Traveling is greatly simplified for returning travelers: they receive a multiple-entry visa that is valid for three years and then for five years.
- The application form is simplified and visas can also be applied for online.
- Member States may use special arrangements to issue visas at the border that are valid for XNUMX days in one Schengen country.
- Member States can more easily issue visas to visitors to major events.
- A new type of visa is being introduced, the tour visa, which allows bona fide travelers to travel in the Schengen area for up to one year. They may not stay in the same Member State for more than 180 days in any 90-day period.
The visa policy of the Schengen countries has already been simplified in recent years. As a result, the number of applications has already increased by 2009 percent since 68. Applications from Russia almost doubled in that period to more than six million applications in 2012. This puts Russia at the forefront by a large margin. Ukraine comes in second with 1,3 million applications, followed by China with 1,2 million applications.
These proposals must first be approved by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. That could happen in 2015 at the earliest.
Once the proposals enter into force, the changes will apply to all EU Member States fully applying the common Schengen visa policy and to the four Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland, Cyprus, Romania and the United Kingdom do not participate in the common visa policy.
I was pleasantly surprised when I read the message on the website of the European Commission, section HomeAffairs
. target Press release here, riding a explanation.
It will take a while, but the starting point of more standardization (fixed list of documents that can serve as evidence, etc.) and for frequent, bona fide travelers issuing multi-entry visas earlier and with one line, being able to make applications at all embassies makes it all a lot more accessible. The best would of course be free entry (visa exclusion) for short stays, for example, some countries in the top tip of South America also agreed in early 2014 that these Schengen visas will become free, which means that on the Caribbean area - islands there - such a bit the entire American continents are Schengen Visa exempt.
I also came across some nice figures about rejection percentages and issues. It's so good to have them, then there is something to be said about how “people” are doing now and what can be achieved (and lost?) with more flexible regulations.
Worldwide, Thais who come to the Netherlands with a short-stay visa are roughly in 16th place with the most issued Schengen C visas. In fact, more visas are issued than in Morocco. Thailand is even higher in the top 20 across Schengen.
The Dutch embassy in Bangkok has a fairly good rejection rate compared to other embassies in Bangkok, less than 3% is initially rejected, after objection less than 2,5%. Belgium seems less keen on Thai tourists/short visitors:
Data 2013, Short stay visa (C visa), single and multi entry:
Embassy – number of applications – number of issues – rejection rate
Slovakia_________120______________119 _______0,0%
Hungary __________2.925 ________2.911 _______0,5%
Italy _____________25.687 _______25.486________0,8%
Austria____________11.897________11.793______0,9%
Spain__________12.395__________12.130________0,9%
Portugal____________642__________635__________0,9%
Czech Republic ______5.998________5.927________1,2%
Poland____________1.321__________1.294 ________2,0%
Greece__________1.957____________1.912________2,2%
Netherlands________10.039____________9.800______2,4%
Germany__________44.692____________43.206 ______3,3%
Switzerland__________23.366 ________22.510________3,7%
Denmark__________5.635 __________5.246 __________4,8%
France __________46.711____________44.377 ________5,0%
Luxembourg________216______________204__________5,6%
Norway____________8707______________8201 ________5,8%
Finland ____________7.793____________7.291________6,4%
Belgium____________5246___________4613 __________11,9%
Sweden____________17.864 ____________8.277 __________14,7%
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-policy/index_en.htm#stats
I will see if I can throw some things into a nice graph to show how Thailand has fared in recent years with short stay visas (C visas) per embassy and in relation to embassies elsewhere in the world.
Yes it would be much better trying to get my Thai wife to Belgium for 3 years to visit Belgium even if one is married in Thailand Bangkok in Belgium embassy what has been approved there should also be in order in Belgium I have faithfully issued my documents on town house in Berendrecht where I live, they have forwarded it to the service of marriages of convenience have issued this at the beginning of February to date no answer yet marriage not yet accepted I think it is disgraceful I also applied for proof of liability 2 years ago and only received it 4 days before I must be picked up, a new edition was issued at the expense, I did not receive this, but the old edition was not accepted at the Belgian embassy in Bangkok, so it was signed by the mayor, so it was official. That service on the spot was my old document of 4 days difference was not my fault yes hopefully everything will be made better so that I can also visit my country with my wife I think if people at town hall make a mistake that I or my wife should pay for it greetings Luke Hollands
Experiences like that of Hollants may explain the high percentage of rejections there, isn't it crazy that the embassy of Belgium (or any other) first conducts a sham marriage investigation? If it had been a girlfriend (with whom you are in a relationship) or “just a good friend” would it have been okay? It should be that people from Europe are allowed to invite foreign friends, family etc. for a visit, completely logical and social. However, the Belgian embassy seems difficult to do for inexplicable reasons. That costs pain and the Belgian tourist sector (and by extension the Belgian treasury) money! So a shame!
But there is a solution: if you, as a Belgian, are married to a Thai, she is entitled to a free, fast and smoothly issued visa, provided you travel together to a different Schengen country than the one of which you are a resident. Family members (married partner, children) are allowed to accompany the EU citizen and must then be able to travel together with as little hassle as possible. Perfectly normal and fair. As a Belgian you can then go to the embassy of NL, FR, ES, ... and say there that you are going on holiday to that EU country with your wife (or husband). Upon presentation of the passport and marriage certificate, the visa must then be issued quickly, free of charge and simply. A Thai marriage certificate (legalized by the Thai ministry of foreign affairs) is sufficient as proof. Legalization by the (Belgian) embassy, or registration in your own country (Belgium) is NOT required. The Dutch / French / Spanish / ... embassy simply has to issue the visa. You can find this under the heading “EU / EEA family members” (or “EU / EEA spouse” on the websites of embassies.
Hollants Luc, so go on holiday with your wife to the Netherlands or France (that must be the main purpose of your trip, but you do not have to demonstrate it, you can of course submit a two-person flight reservation entirely voluntarily), that is where you will go most of the time on vacation in a cottage. A trip to Belgium is of course also possible. Then you can show your wife where you live, meet your family and friends. Good luck in advance. The above story by Hollants does show the need for more clarity and more flexible policy.
More information about EU/EEA family visa, see the EU website:
http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-family/index_nl.htm
I recognize your story and certainly your annoyance or even anger .
Mine was not the same , but the outcome certainly was .
I am Dutch .
I still have a great resentment or anger towards the entire Schengen visa system.
When my mother died , and the rules for my Thai Ega at the time .
Now they want to make it easier , as I read now .
Why , for economic reasons .
Want to attract more foreigners to Europe.
As for us , my Thai spouse and I are going to the USA .
For a short vacation and to visit old friends and acquaintances of mine.
So I no longer spend my money in the EU and its Schengen system.
Let them bring in the real criminals on a legal visa there, is certainly better.
Jan Beute.
I ask myself whether this also applies to family reunification visas (married in Bangkok, applied for family reunification, 6 months treatment period and living in uncertainty, …) But that is a D visa, so long term and possibly falls outside the topic?
Greetings,
Bruno
A question to all of you on this weblog .
What should I do if next week or month I have .
With my legal and registered marriage in the Netherlands
Living in Thailand for many years and being an only child, so no family guarantors.
No longer have a regular income , am younger than 65 years .
But to have access to a large capacity.
To be able to travel to the Netherlands with my Ega for a short holiday.
I think big problems with the visa application , just like in the past .
No problem for me Dutch passport.
For my Thai Ega a big problem is housewife without income .
No thanks .
There where I live is currently an elderly retired Thai teacher on a tour with a Thai group tour through Europe, starting in Amsterdam.
Applying for a visa at the Ned Embassy was no problem at all.
But never mind, let's go to America, we are welcome there.
Jan Beute.
@ Jan: see my response to Luc Hollants: go with your marriage certificate to the embassy of a country other than your own, so as a Dutch person you can go to the Belgian embassy, the German, Spanish or soft ones, anything but the Dutch one. On presentation of the marriage certificate (plus any translation so that people can read it) and the announcement that you are going on holiday together, the embassy must issue an EU/EEA family visa free of charge, quickly and smoothly. Belgians therefore have to be everywhere except their own embassy. For details, see also the Visa Handbook, which can be found on the website of the EU (there are several PDFs: the visa code containing all the rules and a handbook with explanations and explanations:
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-policy/index_en.htm
If you go directly to the embassy (most embassies require an appointment in advance, this can often be done by email, don't let VFS Global or TLS Contact send you if you don't want to go there - for these companies you also have to pay service costs -) you can you will therefore be in possession of a completely free visa within a maximum of 15 working days.
@Bruno: No, it only applies to A (transit) and C (short stay) visas. Unfortunately not for D (entry) visas because immigration legislation differs per country and also how and when one may enter for settlement. Being more aligned would also be nice here. For example, a D visa for the Netherlands is free since the new “Access and Stay” legislation and it simply has to be issued without the hassle that people still want to see papers (although that penny has not fallen everywhere, other embassies such as in Morocco and Russia seem to be wanting to see all kinds of deeds… they are no longer allowed to demand because since the TEV, the immigrant receives the right of residence at the moment the IND makes a positive decision and this person is therefore entitled to the MVV entry visa without further requirements from the embassy…).
That clarity within Schengen is also lacking elsewhere: nothing about financial resources either: how much money you need to have in your pocket to guarantee yourself or what requirements there are if a third party guarantees you (such as the European partner…) that determine that the countries themselves.
Hello, I have no family or anything in the Netherlands. But if I want to go to the Netherlands with my Thai wife, there is never a problem. She has more than enough money to finance 3 weeks of vacation and has more than 35 euros per day to spend.
So she is just going to enjoy NL as a tourist. Has a Thai hospital insurance to go on holiday outside Thailand.
She can even show that she would like to return to Thailand after 3 weeks by proving the title deeds of her houses and possessions. Photos of her marriage etc are more than enough to convince.
And if someone is studying in Thailand, for example, you can submit a relationship request from the uni with the visa application. I have several friends who have never had any rejection from the Embassy in Bangkok.
Just a question of playing by the rules. So I don't understand all this commotion about getting a visa to go on holiday to NL.