The European Commission has proposed “temporary restrictive measures” on short-stay visas for Bangladesh due to insufficient cooperation on the readmission of illegal immigrants from the country in European Union member states.
The proposal was made last month, according to a press release from the commission cited by SchengenVisaInfo.com.
The EU’s short-stay visa policy has been closely linked to cooperation with partner countries since its revised Visa Code came into force in February 2020, the press release said.
This cooperation refers to the partner countries being required to readmit citizens, who do not have the right to stay in EU territories, it added.
The restrictive measures that have been proposed are:
* Waiver suspension of certain documents for several applicant categories, such as bona fide travellers
* Suspension of the optional visa fee waiver for persons who hold diplomatic passports
* Suspension of the maximum processing time, which is beyond 15 days
* Suspension of mandatory issuance of several entry visas that have an extended validity
The restrictions do not apply for family members of EU citizens or others who are permitted free movement in the EU.
The restrictions will come into effect as soon as they are examined and approved by the European Council.
Iraq and Gambia face the same restrictions.
