Spain to Require Transit Visas for Mauritanian Nationals.
Starting August 28, 2024, Mauritanian nationals will need a transit visa to pass through Spanish airports, according to Schengen.News. This new rule is part of Spain’s broader strategy to manage irregular migration.
The Spanish government is implementing this requirement in response to increasing irregular migration flows. However, Mauritanian citizens who already hold a residence visa or any type of Schengen visa or residence permit will not be affected by this new rule.
New Visa Requirements for Several African Countries
On August 16, Spain also announced a new transit visa requirement for nationals from several other African countries, with the Central African Republic recently added to the list. The new requirements apply to passport holders from:
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Somalia
The Spanish government has stated that these measures are subject to review and could be adjusted based on progress in managing irregular migration.
Criticism from Immigration Organizations
The new visa requirements have faced criticism from immigration organizations in Spain. Critics argue that increasing restrictions are a response to rising asylum applications linked to conflicts and emergencies in these countries. According to the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR), this approach does not address the underlying issues driving migration.
Decrease in Irregular Migration Across EU Borders
Frontex, the EU’s border agency, reports a 40% decrease in irregular border crossings at EU external borders in the first seven months of 2024. This drop is attributed to various measures adopted by the EU to curb irregular migration.
The Eastern Land Border and the Western African Route were the most active, with significant increases in detections. The Eastern Land Border saw a 195% rise, totaling 9,546 crossings, while the Western African Route experienced a 154% increase, with 21,620 detections. The Central Mediterranean Route remains the most active, recording 32,239 irregular crossings over the same period.
Frontex attributes this year’s decrease in irregular migration mainly to preventive actions taken by Tunisian and Libyan authorities against smugglers, as these countries account for 95% of migrants reported on the Central Mediterranean route.
