EU Won’t Increase Schengen Visa Fees for Everyone: Here’s Who Will Be Exempt
Schengen visa fees are scheduled to increase by 12.5 per cent, for both adults and children, starting from June 11.
In the recent weeks since the decision was published on the Official Journal of the European Union on May 22, the embassies and consulates of the Schengen Area Member States have made sure to inform nationals of the third countries where they are located regarding the upcoming change, Schenge.News reports.
From next Tuesday and on, Schengen visa fees for adults will be €90 instead of €80, as it currently is, whereas for children the fee will increase from €40 to €45.
In addition, visa fees will increase to €135 or €180 for applicants from countries that have refused to cooperate with the EU for the readmission of their nationals who are irregularly staying in the bloc.
However, the visa price will not increase for everyone, as there are some categories of people who will not be affected by this measure.
Visa Prices to Remain Unchanged for Nationals of Countries That Have Visa-Facilitation Agreements With EU
Nationals of countries which have a visa facilitation agreement with the EU in place will remain unaffected by the new Schengen visa fee changes, at only €35.
These countries are:
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus (officials of the Belarus regime are exempt from the facilitations)
- Cape Verde
When the EU reached a deal to facilitate visa conditions for the nationals of these countries, included provisions of fixed visa fees in the agreements.
This means that even in cases when visa fees would increase in the future, they would remain unchanged for the nationals of these particular countries.
Additionally, visa fees will remain at €35 for the nationals of another eight countries which have a visa-free entry agreement with the EU, who cannot enter visa-free as they do not possess biometric passports.
These countries are:
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
- Ukraine
Lower Visa Fee Increase for Children from Countries That Do Not Cooperate on Readmission
Children under the age of 12 applying from countries for which the EU has increased visa fees as a sanctioning measure for refusing to take back their nationals staying irregularly in Europe, will have their visas increased to only €45, unlike adults.
This is clarified in Article 1 (2a) of the Schengen Visa Code amending regulation published on the Official Journal of the EU on May 22.
Visa applications will remain cost-free for children under six from these countries.
Categories Exempt from Visa Fees to Remain Unaffected from New Changes
The Schengen Visa Code exempts several categories from the requirement to pay a fee when applying for a Schengen visa.
These categories will continue to be exempt from having to pay for a visa to Europe for short-term stays, even with the new changes.
The first of these categories are family members of EU citizens, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, regardless of their nationality, as well as holders of diplomatic, service or official passports.
Exempt from paying Schengen visa fees will remain pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who wish to enter one or more Schengen countries under the purpose of studies or professional training.
In addition, representatives of non-profit organizations younger than 26 years old participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations, are also note required to pay visa fees.
Applicants who may belong to one of the categories listed above should be aware that the decision to exempt them from paying the visa fee lies with the consulate where they are applying.
Source: https://schengen.news/eu-wont-increase-schengen-visa-fees-for-everyone-heres-who-will-be-exempt/
