EU Parliament Approves Permanent Revocation of Visa-Free Travel for Vanuatu
EU Parliament Permanently Revokes Visa-Free Travel for Vanuatu
The European Parliament has officially voted to permanently revoke visa-free travel to the Schengen Area for Vanuatu citizens. This historic decision, the first of its kind by the EU Parliament, aims to address concerns over security risks and irregular migration linked to Vanuatu's investor citizenship programs.
Reason for the Decision
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Temporary Suspension in 2022:
The EU temporarily suspended visa-free travel for Vanuatu passport holders in May 2022 due to concerns about irregular migration and security risks associated with its citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs. -
Failure to Address Concerns:
Despite the suspension, Vanuatu failed to implement measures to mitigate these concerns, leading the European Commission to recommend making the suspension permanent earlier this year. -
Abuse of Investor Citizenship Programs:
Rapporteur Paulo Cunha stated that Vanuatu's CBI program allows foreign nationals to gain citizenship with minimal checks, granting them automatic visa-free access to the Schengen Area. This raised concerns about bypassing immigration controls and security threats.- No physical presence or residency requirements are mandated for applicants.
- Short processing periods undermine thorough background checks, increasing risks of admitting individuals with harmful intentions.
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Selling Citizenship:
Cunha highlighted that Vanuatu has been "selling its citizenship" and abusing the EU’s trust, using the visa-free agreement as an incentive for its CBI program.
Impact of Visa-Free Revocation
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Visa Requirement for All Vanuatu Passport Holders:
All Vanuatu citizens will now need to undergo the Schengen visa application process before entering the EU. This includes those who acquired Vanuatu passports through investment schemes. -
Challenges for Vanuatu Citizens:
The decision will impose additional burdens on Vanuatu nationals, such as:- Securing visa application appointments.
- Undergoing longer waiting periods for visa approval.
- Navigating the complexities of the Schengen visa process.
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Economic and Social Implications:
The revocation is expected to impact the popularity of Vanuatu’s CBI program, which heavily relied on the Schengen visa-free access as a selling point.
EU’s Message
The EU Parliament’s decision underscores its commitment to safeguarding border security and ensuring that visa-free agreements are not misused. Rapporteur Cunha emphasized that this move protects the integrity of the Schengen Area and addresses vulnerabilities created by inadequate immigration controls.
By taking this step, the EU aims to send a clear signal to other nations operating investor citizenship schemes to uphold strict compliance with immigration and security standards.
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