Visa-free Travel To The Eu Proposed By The Eu Commission For Qatar And Kuwaiti Nationals

A proposal to eliminate visa requirements for citizens of Qatar and Kuwait was announced today by the EU Commission. Once the proposal is approved, Qatar and Kuwait citizens holding biometric passports would no longer need a visa to visit the EU for short stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period for business, tourism, or family reasons. A number of criteria were examined by the Commission, including irregular migration, public policy and security, economic benefits, and the relationship between the two countries. The deal will strengthen ties between Gulf member countries.

According to Vice President Josep Borrell, our proposal to allow Qatari and Kuwaiti nationals to travel to the EU without a visa is a first step towards making travel easier in the region in general. All Gulf Cooperation Council countries should be allowed to travel visa-free in the final stages of this initiative. This proposal will continue our overall partnership and strengthen our cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council, in conjunction with our upcoming Joint Communication on the Gulf."

According to Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life: "We propose today that Qataris and Kuwaitis with biometric passports be given short-stay visa-free travel to the EU, facilitating people-to-people contacts and strengthening economic, social, and cultural ties between the two countries. The EU has been increasing its intensity and depth of relations with Qatar and Kuwait in response to the success of the two countries in implementing far-reaching reforms. The European Parliament and the Council should adopt our proposal soon, as it is an important achievement for citizens in both regions."

A proposal to exempt Qatari and Kuwaiti nationals from visa requirements will facilitate business, tourism, and family travel within the EU, According to Commissioner Ylva Johansson. As far as visa regimes go, it's also a step towards greater regional cohesion across the Gulf. It will continue to pursue visa-free travel to the EU with the remaining visa-required Gulf countries."

After assessing the criteria in EU visa rules for irregular migration, the Commission concluded that Qatar and Kuwait present low risks of irregular migration, and that they cooperate with the EU on security issues. In order to travel visa-free to the EU, they issue biometric passports. The Union also has close economic ties with Qatar and Kuwait, particularly in the energy sector.

Steps to take next

Whether Qatarians and Kuwaitis can travel visa-free to the EU now rests with the European Parliament and the Council. In the event the proposal is approved by the European Parliament and Council, the EU will enter negotiations with Qatar and Kuwait for a visa waiver agreement to ensure full visa reciprocity among EU citizens.

Upon the entry into force of the visa waiver agreement, Qatari and Kuwaiti nationals will be able to travel visa-free to the EU.

Based on an assessment of the criteria set by EU rules on visa requirements, the Commission may propose new exemptions from visa requirements in the future if the situation warrants. The EU will continue to engage with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries that still require visas to enter the EU and that are interested in granting them visa-free travel. A technical discussion with these partners will be launched shortly regarding the requirements for exemption from visas under the Visa Regulation. The ultimate goal is to make all Gulf Cooperation Council countries visa free.

Brief background

Over 60 countries and territories enjoy visa-free access to the EU. EU law specifies which non-EU countries require visas to travel to the EU and which ones are exempt from this requirement. In order to qualify for the Visa-Free Program, non-EU citizens must hold a passport valid for at least 90 days within a 180-day period. The European Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be used by visa-exempt travellers visiting the Schengen area from the second half of 2022 onward.

People-to-people exchanges, as well as research, educational, cultural, and societal exchanges, are strengthened by exemptions from the visa requirement. Following the visa exemption granted to the United Arab Emirates in 2014, Qatar and Kuwait are proposing to be exempted from visa requirements, demonstrating their commitment to regional cohesion.

In addition to visiting all EU member countries except for Ireland, visa-exempt travellers can also visit the four Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Work permits in European Union member states are not required for visa-exempt travelers. While it does not guarantee the right to work within the EU, member states can allow travellers to engage in paid work while in the EU.

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