RIYADH: Saudi, Omani, and Bahraini nationals will find it simpler and easier to travel to Europe after the European Commission loosened visa requirements.
In an interview with media in Riyadh on Thursday, EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Christophe Farnaud described the new Schengen visa regulations as “an important step in promoting people-to-people contacts, and facilitating exchanges between the EU and the GCC citizens.” The new regulations state that successful candidates, even those making their initial application, will often be granted a multiple-entry visa for five years. Farnaud said, “The procedure is the same, but the visa is longer, allowing them to travel to 29 European countries using the same visa valid for multiple entry and five years.
The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, of which 25 are members of the European Union, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. Following notice, member states will carry out the decision, according to Farnaud. As far as we know, the notification was sent out on Wednesday, so as we advance, the member states have the authority to grant these visas, barring any unforeseen circumstances that might require a few days to process,” he stated.
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