Important information on amendments to the Visa Code

EU updates rules to facilitate legitimate travel and fight illegal migration by introducing amendments to the Visa Code

On 6 June 2019, the Council of the European Union adopted amendments to the visa code regulation which will improve conditions for legitimate travellers, as well as increase the tools available to respond to the challenges posed by illegal migration.

The new amendments will come into force 2 February 2020.

The most important amendments will affect the travellers by:

• allowing for applications to be lodged up to 6 months, and no later than 15 days, before the trip.
• introducing a harmonised approach to the issuing of multiple entry visas to regular travellers with a positive visa history for a period which increases gradually from 1 to 5 years.
• Increasing the fee from 60 to 80 euros. Children under six, students and researchers will continue to be exempt from paying the visa fee.

More information will follow.