The Commission will strengthen the monitoring of the functioning of visa-free regimes with third countries and amend the suspension of visa exemptions
Today, the Commission adopted a Communication on the monitoring of the EU's visa-free travel regimes setting out a consultation process. To address challenges and prevent risks effectively, existing rules concerning the monitoring of the functioning of visa-free regimes with third countries and the suspension of visa exemptions should be re-assessed and improved.
With today's Communication, the Commission is launching a consultation process with the European Parliament and the Council to identify how best to improve the EU's visa suspension mechanism. A future revision of the rules could notably include:
- new grounds for suspension to address new risks;
- adapting the thresholds for triggering the mechanism;
- making the suspension procedure more efficient and flexible;
- strengthening of monitoring and reporting provisions.
The Commission will discuss with the European Parliament and the Council how to strengthen the visa policy toolbox with a revised Visa Suspension Mechanism. On the basis of this discussion, the Commission will present in autumn 2023 a legislative proposal revising the Visa Suspension Mechanism.
For further information, read this press release from the Commission and read the communication below.