Visa-free travel for Ukraine under threat: EU tightens rules for suspension.

According to ТСН: The European Parliament has updated the mechanism that allows the suspension of the visa-free regime for citizens of third countries in cases of violations of entry or security rules.

New EU legislative norms regarding the potential cancellation of the visa-free regime will come into effect in mid-December, twenty days after the official signing ceremony.

Key changes and conditions for suspension

These changes grant the EU the right to revoke visa-free privileges for any country that violates the visa policy of the European Union. Additionally, the mechanism for cancellation can be initiated in the event of a significant deterioration in relations between a country and the EU, particularly due to identified violations of fundamental human rights.

The new regulation will also simplify the procedure for activating the suspension mechanism. The initial suspension period for the visa-free regime is extended from 9 to 12 months, and this period can be extended by another 24 months. Previously, the maximum extension period was 18 months.

It is worth noting that earlier reports indicated an agreement on reforming the mechanism for suspending short-term visa-free travel to the Schengen area.

Thus, the new changes to the visa-free regime mechanism threaten travel opportunities for citizens of third countries if their states do not meet EU requirements. This could significantly impact tourist flows and international relations if violations are recorded.