EU Terminates Visa-Free Travel Agreement with Vanuatu
EU Officially Ends Visa-Free Travel Agreement with Vanuatu
The Council of the European Union has officially ended the visa-free travel agreement with Vanuatu, citing persistent concerns over the country’s investor citizenship scheme. The decision follows the temporary suspension of the agreement in 2022, as Vanuatu failed to meet the conditions set by the EU to address security and migration risks associated with its citizenship-by-investment program.
Impact on Vanuatu Citizens
With the termination of the visa-free travel agreement, Vanuatu nationals must now apply for and obtain a Schengen visa to enter the EU for any purpose. This change applies equally to individuals who obtained Vanuatu citizenship through investment, stripping them of visa-free privileges to the Schengen Area.
Vanuatu’s Citizenship Scheme and EU’s Concerns
Vanuatu joined the list of countries with visa-free access to the EU on May 28, 2015. However, its investor citizenship program, launched shortly thereafter, raised red flags for the EU. The program, which allows individuals to acquire citizenship in exchange for financial investment, failed to meet EU standards for security and proper background checks.
Despite ongoing dialogue between the EU and Vanuatu, the latter’s inability to resolve the concerns led to this permanent decision. The EU Parliament had already voted in favor of ending the agreement in November 2024, leading to the Council’s final approval.
Rapporteur Cunha’s Comments
EU Parliament Rapporteur Paulo Cunha criticized Vanuatu’s practices, accusing the country of selling its citizenship and abusing the EU’s trust. Cunha highlighted that Vanuatu’s citizenship program allows fast-tracked applications with insufficient vetting, posing security risks to the Schengen Area.
This decision underscores the EU's commitment to maintaining security and trust within its borders by ensuring strict compliance with its visa and migration policies.
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