13 minutes agoHow much has Kosovars spent on visas towards the EU?
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)In January 2012, the EU's European Commission officially launched dialogue with Kosovo on the visa liberalisation process. From the start of this dialogue until the end of 2021, Kosovars have submitted 659,029 visa applications, according to European Commission data. The European Parliament votes on April 18th the decision on [...]
The European Parliament votes the visa liberalisation decision for Kosovo citizens on April 18th, with what procedures on the issue come to an end.
It is now clear that the implementation of the decision will not be postponed further than January 1st of 2024.
According to Balkan Group data (BRPG), 60% of Kosovars have asked for a Schengen visa, enabling free movement in EU countries for tourist visits. Kosovo's interest in visiting EU countries had been on the rise until 2020, when the trend changed the cause of COVID-19.
According to a BPTG research, Kosovo citizens have paid an average of 165 euros for Schengen visa application. This cost amounts to tens of millions of euros when the number of applications annually is considered.
The same BRPG research stresses that Kosovars have averaged between one and six months until the end of the visa procedure in the Schengen area. In addition, Kosovars have also complained about long waiting in line to hand over documents.
But despite long expectations and money spent during the application, a number of applicants have faced negative responses.
The European Commission in 2018 had proposed visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Even the European Parliament had supported this decision, but countries like France and the Netherlands were not of reconciliation.
Kosovo is the only Western Balkan country whose citizens do not have the right to free movement in the Schengen area.
