The European Parliament has voted to remove Vanuatu from the EU’s visa waiver program, with 62 votes in favor, one against, and two abstentions, according to Schengen.News.
This decision marks the first time the European Parliament has excluded a country from its visa-free list. Rapporteur Paulo Cunha emphasized that the move was necessary to protect the EU’s borders from potential threats. He stated, “We do not take this decision lightly. It is both proportionate and justified due to Vanuatu’s inadequate cooperation and the need to secure European borders.”
The EU had temporarily suspended visa-free travel for Vanuatu passport holders in May 2022. This followed concerns over irregular migration and the security risks posed by Vanuatu’s investor citizenship program. In response, the EU Commission required Vanuatu to implement a permanent visa requirement for its passport holders earlier this year.
Cunha criticized Vanuatu’s citizenship program, which allows individuals from various countries to gain citizenship in exchange for financial investments. Once granted citizenship, these individuals were eligible for visa-free access to the Schengen Area. Cunha accused Vanuatu of “selling its citizenship” and abusing the EU’s trust.
He also pointed out that the citizenship program allows applicants to bypass residency or physical presence requirements, making it easier for them to avoid immigration controls. The expedited processing times for citizenship, according to Cunha, have raised concerns about inadequate background checks, increasing the risk of granting citizenship to individuals with potentially harmful intentions.
As a result of the EU’s decision, Vanuatu passport holders, including those who acquired citizenship through investment, will now need to apply for a Schengen visa before entering the area. This policy change will affect not only Vanuatu’s citizens but also foreign nationals who gained citizenship through investment. The impact will be felt particularly by Vanuatu’s small population, who will face challenges in securing appointments and waiting for visa decisions.
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