The European Commission has proposed permanently reinstating the requirement for Schengen visas for Vanuatu citizens. This follows a temporary suspension of visa-free travel to the Schengen Area for Vanuatu passport holders in May 2022.
The Commission explained that the primary reason behind this decision is Vanuatu's failure to address irregular migration and mitigate security risks associated with its citizenship-by-investment schemes. The Commission noted that Vanuatu has not taken sufficient measures to reduce these risks, despite adopting some legislative changes.
The Commission highlighted the risks arising from Vanuatu's citizenship-by-investment schemes, including money laundering, organized crime infiltration, corruption, and tax evasion. Vanuatu has been repeatedly urged to take steps to mitigate these risks, but the measures taken so far have been inadequate.
Currently, Vanuatu citizens need a visa to travel to the European Union for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This proposal seeks to make this requirement permanent, meaning that Vanuatu citizens will not be able to travel to the Schengen Area without a visa in the near future.
This decision is expected to have a significant impact on travel between Vanuatu and EU countries. Vanuatu is likely to face increasing international pressure to improve its security measures and reduce the risks associated with its citizenship-by-investment schemes.
In conclusion, this proposal reflects the European Union's concerns about security and irregular migration and underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing these challenges.
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