EU-UK Draft Resolution: Visa-Free Travel for Short-Stays
David McAllister, the Chair of the EP-UK Coordination Group, handed a draft resolution on the proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EU-UK visa) to the EU parliament one week after the United Kingdom officially ceased to be a European Union Member Country.
The resolution foresees reciprocal visa-free entry for short stays. This means that citizens of the EU and the UK could travel to each other’s countries for up to 90 days in 180 days without having to apply for a visa.
EU-UK visa
According to this motion, both sides should establish a reciprocal visa-free arrangement for short-term study, stay for research, study and training purposes, and youth exchanges.
“The European Parliament, (59) Considers that the Agreement should provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits, including short-term work-related trips, based on full reciprocity and non-discrimination, and should establish conditions for entry and stay for research, study and training purposes and youth exchanges,”
the draft resolution reads.
The EU ambassadors backed an agreement on behalf of the Council with the European Parliament Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee in early April last year to grant Britons visa-free access to the European Schengen Area, even though the UK would have exited the EU without a deal.
With 38 votes pro, eight against and three abstentions the LIBE committee showed their support that once the UK finally leaves the EU, its citizens should be granted a Schengen Visa waiver given that the UK reciprocates the move.
UK and EU to Introduce Travel Authorizations for Each Other’s Citizens
The United Kingdom and the European Union have announced plans to introduce travel authorizations for each other’s citizens. The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be required for all EU citizens traveling to the UK after the end of the Brexit transition period, while the EU’s European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required for all UK citizens traveling to the EU after January 2021.
The ETA and ETIAS are similar systems that will require travelers to provide personal information, such as their name, date of birth, passport information, and travel plans. Travelers will also need to pay a fee to apply for an ETA or ETIAS. You can find out more about ETIAS here.
The UK government says that the ETA will help to improve security by allowing the UK to screen travelers before they arrive. The EU says that the ETIAS will help to improve security and manage migration.
The introduction of the ETA and ETIAS is likely to cause some disruption for travelers, as they will need to apply for a travel authorization before they travel. However, the systems are designed to be quick and easy to use, and they are expected to have a minimal impact on travel.
The ETIAS be mandatory for the nationals of over 60 world countries that so far have been eligible to enter the Schengen Area visa-free for short-term stays, including Britons.
