EC: Touring visas proposed by the EU will not help ordinary tourists

Representatives of the European Commission recognize that touring visas proposed by them do not facilitate visa practice for the majority of citizens of third countries, including Ukraine.

This was reported to the YevroPravda by representatives of the European Commission’s DG on Internal Affairs during a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, June 17 – the Yevropeiska Pravda informed.

As you know, the European Commission appealed to the Member States with a proposition to introduce a new type of visa aimed at citizens freaquently travelling to the EU. These propositions must be approved by the EU Council and the European Parliament, and may take effect not earlier than in the second half of 2015.

Meanwhile, these changes will not affect the vast majority of tourists.

"If tourists do not plan to stay in the EU for a long time, more than 90 days, it will still be easier for them to apply for a regular multiple entry visa. New tourist visas are intended exclusively for those who intend to stay in the EU for a long time," – a source of the publication said.

"Of course it will be difficult for travelers to prove that they fit the criteria of a touring visa" – another official said.

 As YevroPravda has reported, currently, the practice of issuing tourist visas is very inconsistent. A number of countries discriminate against Ukrainian applicants on the ground that tourist visas are not covered by EU legislation. However, applicants from Russia and Belarus in the consulates of these same countries can receive "long" multiple entry visas.