Just hours ago the European Parliament approved Ukraine Shengen visa waiver. Ukrainian citizens will be exempted from EU short-stay visa requirements.
6 April, AtoZForex - According to the European Parliament the MPs have passed the new Ukraine Shengen visa waiver law. According to the bill, Ukrainian nationals with a biometric passport will no longer require a visa to enter the EU. The new law does not allow Ukrainians live in the EU nor act as a work permit. Ukrainian nationals will be able to enter the EU without a visa for 90 days in any 180-day period. Their visit can be for tourism, to visit relatives or friends, or for business purposes. As a part of the Ukraine Shengen Visa waiver law the visa exemption will apply to all EU countries, excluding Ireland and the UK, however including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Next steps for Ukraine Shengen visa waiver
According to the memo published on European Parliament website earlier, the Ukraine Shengen Visa waiver legislation voting took place earlier today.
In total 521 MPs voted in favour of the Ukraine EU visa waiver law, while 75 voted against and 36 MPs were absent.
“Ukraine has achieved all the benchmarks, so the visa requirement should be lifted. This is another very strong message that Ukraine is a key partner for the European Union in the Eastern Partnership” - Mariya Gabriel (EPP, BG)
It is also worth noting that, the Ukraine EU visa waiver program still needs to be formally adopted by the Council of Ministers. The visa waiver is expected to go live towards the end of June 2017. Next step basically is to expect the legislation to be published in the EU Official Journal.
Strategically thinking we were expecting EU Ukraine visa waiver move during the course of the year. The EU and Russian political standstill and Brexit wave required the EU to act and act decisive.
Are you from Ukraine? How do you think this move will affect your country? Share your view with us.