The Visa Working Party “deals with the common visa policy in relation to citizens from non-EU countries subject to a visa requirement.” Documents archived here concern meetings from September 2023 onwards.
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Please note: All documents listed (whether officially numbered or referred to otherwise, for example as a presentation) have been requested by Statewatch. If there is a link to the document, the request was successful or it has been obtained via other means. If there is no link to a document, the request is still pending. Where access has been refused or only partial access has been granted a note is included. Text in square brackets is an addition to the original agenda.
– Exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency paper
– 5247/25
Key points:
– Information from the Commission and exchange of views
– 5060/25
Key points:
a) Proposal for a Council Decision on the partial suspension of the application of the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas - information by the Presidency
b) Guidelines for implementation - presentation by the Commission
– EU-U.S. tripartite meeting on visa reciprocity (Brussels, 10 December 2024) – debrief by the Commission
– Visa Code Article 25a exercise - debrief by the Presidency on the discussions held in IMEX (Expulsion)
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism: State of play - information by the Presidency
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu – information by the Presidency
– Information with regard to the designation of Romania into the US Visa Waiver Program
VISA WORKING PARTY
– Debriefing by the Commission of the outcome of the Senior Officials mission of 11 December 2024
– Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – update by the Commission
MIXED COMMITTEE
– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
Key points:
– 16326/24 [Commission report]
– Presentation by the Presidency and exchange of views
– 16584/24
Key points:
– Information from the Presidency, including on the flyer on how to book a Schengen visa appointment for Istanbul and Rabat
1. Revision of visa suspension mechanism
2. JHA community involvement in visa liberalization
3. Curbing abuse of appointment systems
4. Harmonizing visa practice
5. Coordinating work on the mandate for visa facilitation agreement
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu – Information by the Presidency
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – Information by the Presidency
– Council conclusions towards a more strategic approach on EU visa policy – Information by the Presidency
VISA WORKING PARTY
– Upcoming Joint Committee meetings with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Cabo Verde – information by the Commission
– Presentation by the Presidency and exchange of views
– 14241/2/24 REV 2
– 15207/24
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu – Information by the Presidency
– Visa Code Article 25a mechanism - Debriefing by the Presidency on the state of play on readmission cooperation
– EU - Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs (Budva, Montenegro, 28-29 October 2024) – Debriefing by the Presidency
– Launch of the Visa Code Training (VCT) on 6 November
VISA WORKING PARTY
– Visa liberalization dialogue with Armenia – Information by the Commission on the first technical mission
– Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – information by the Commission
Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)
MIXED COMMITTEE
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Towards a more strategic approach on EU visa policy: draft Council conclusions
– Presentation by the Presidency and exchange of views
– 14241/24
Key points:
3. Discussion paper on combating abuse of the Schengen visa appointment system, reducing visa shopping and waiting times for appointments
– Presentation of the Presidency note and exchange of views
– 14242/24
Key points:
4. Visa reciprocity with the US: visa requirement for air crew members - US reply
– 13732/24
5. AOB
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – Information by the Presidency
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu – Information by the Presidency
– Visa digitalisation: state of play of the implementation after first presentation of implementing acts in the Smart Borders Committee – Information by the Commission
– Senior EU and US Justice and Home Affairs officials meeting, Budapest 16-17 October 2024 – debriefing by the Presidency
– Launching of the Visa Code online training (6 November) and designation of contact points – information by the Commission
– Ex-post evaluation of the Internal Security Fund borders & Visa – public consultation – information by the Commission
– Questionnaire to Member States on the application of the guidelines in relation to Russian visa applicants – information by the Commission
– Request for an update on the timetable for the adoption of secondary regulations in connection with the entry into service of the VIS recast
VISA WORKING PARTY
6. AOB
– Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – information by the Commission
Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)
MIXED COMMITTEE
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Visa Code Article 25a mechanism
– Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Somalia
– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
3. The future of visa policy: preparation of Council conclusions on “Towards a more strategic approach on EU visa policy”
– Presentation of the Presidency Note and exchange of views
– 12930/24
4. Visa and asylum – debriefing by the Presidency of the discussions in the Asylum WP of 4 September 2024
5. AOB
– Debriefing by the Presidency of the EU-US JHA Ministerial Meeting (Brussels, 20-21 June 2024) and information on the preparation of the EU-US JHA Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) (Budapest, 16-17 October 2024)
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – Information by the Presidency
– Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava) - Information by the Presidency
– Questionnaire to Member States on the Implementation of 1) the Guidelines on general visa issuance in relation to Russian applicants following Council Decision (EU) 2022/1500 of 9 September 2022 on the suspension in whole of the application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation and 2) the Guidelines on controls of Russian citizens at the external borders, 30.09.2022 C(2022) 7111 final - Information by the Commission
– Visa Code online training – Information by the Commission
– Security checks on SIS data and during prior consultations: audit of the list of persons registered in the SIS who are subject to a travel ban under international and European sanctions
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Kick-off discussion on VIS statistics and asylum
– 11228/24
- WK 9149/2024 INIT (presentations)
3. United States
4. Assessment of the Belgian Presidency
5. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Hungarian Presidency
5. AOB
– Digitalisation - way forward: information by the Commission
– Annual LSC report: information by the Commission
– Pilot project on waiting time – feedback from the meeting of 13 June 2024 with interested Member States: information by the Commission
– Non recognition of non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation
– Change in the visa process: visa fees and upcoming changes in the Visa Code on 28 June 2024 – information from the Commission
VISA WORKING PARTY
6. AOB
– VFA and RA with Kazakhstan - state of play by the Commission
Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)
MIXED COMMITTEE
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Towards a second-generation of Visa Facilitation Agreement: overview and way forward
– Exchange of views based on a Presidency paper
– 9887/24
3. Evaluation of the Visa Code
– Exchange of views
– 6253/24 + ADD 1 + ADD 2 REV 1 (already public)
4. Annual report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism: mid-term assessment and input for the next report
– Exchange of views based on a Presidency paper
– 9888/24
5. AOB
– Future of visa policy – feedback from SCIFA and preparation of the JHA Council on 13-14 June: information by the Presidency
– Article 25a mechanism: information by the Presidency
– Temporary scheme of short-stay tourist visits from certain Turkish coastal areas to selected Greek islands in the eastern Aegean: presentation by Greece
– Vanuatu: information by the Commission
– US visa requirement for aircrew members: information by the Presidency
– Delegated act on the visa fees – date of entry into force of the revised fees: information by the Commission
6. AOB
– Visa Liberalisation Dialogue with Armenia - feedback from COEST: information by the Presidency
– Negotiation of a visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan: information by the Commission
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. The future of visa policy: internal dimension
– Exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency paper
– 8833/24
3. Evaluation of the Visa Code
– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views [WK 5925/2024 INIT]
– 6253/24 + ADD 1 + ADD 2 REV 2
4. AOB
– Votes on visa files in the European Parliament – information by the Presidency
– Article 25a mechanism: information by the Presidency
– Investor citizenship schemes of Vanuatu and Eastern Caribbean: update and next steps – information by the Commission
– Next Report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism: update – information by the Commission
– Implementation of visa digitalisation - information by the Commission
– Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation and EU information systems
– US request for the suspension of the Airport Transit Visa exemption for citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
– EMPACT – Handbook on visa fraud – information from Germany [WK 5835/2024 REV 1 DCL 1 and WK 8343/2024 INIT]
5. Prospect of a Visa Facilitation Agreement with Kazakhstan
– Information by the Commission and exchange of views
6. AOB
– Visa liberalisation dialogue with Armenia: feedback by the Presidency from SCIFA meeting on 10 April 2024 and information from Czechia, France, Sweden and Germany
MIXED COMMITEE
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. The future of visa policy: scene-setter on visa and asylum
– Presentation by EUAA
– Exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency paper
– 7832/24
3. Measures under Article 25a of the Visa Code
a) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Ethiopia
– 13582/23
b) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2459 on the application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia
– 16980/23 [COR 1]
– Exchange of views and approval
4. US visa requirement for flight crew members
– Exchange of views
5. AOB
– EU-US JHA Senior Officials Meeting (Brussels, 11-12 March 2024): information from the Presidency
– Visa facilitations with Kazakhstan: information from the Presidency
– Vanuatu – visa exemption suspension: information from the Commission
– Visa Code: delegated act on the visa fees and report on the delegation of power to the Commission [7811/24, 7812/24]
– Implementation of visa digitalisation: information from the Commission
– Information from the Swedish Delegation on registration and access to the upcoming Visa Code Training
VISA WORKING PARTY
6. AOB
– Joint Declaration establishing a partnership on migration between the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the European Union: information from the Presidency
Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism
– Examination of the revised Presidency compromise proposal, including an exchange of views on the urgency procedure
– 16126/2/23 REV 2 [Previous versions: 16126/1/23 REV 1, 16126/23]
– 5858/24 [Revision of the visa suspension mechanism – Urgency procedures – Diagram]
3. United States:
a) EU-US Irregular Migration Cooperation kick-off meeting, 25 January 2024
– Information by the Presidency
b) Discussion in IXIM Working Party on EBSP with participation of US representatives, 16 February 2024
– Information by the Presidency
c) EU-U.S. JHA Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), 11-12 March 2024
– Information by the Presidency
4. Pilot project for the reduction of waiting times to apply for Schengen visas in various consular locations
– Presentation by the Commission
– 6672/24
– Presentation by the Netherlands: experience with Morocco [WK 2722/2024 INIT]
5. AOB
– Visa implications of the lifting of checks on persons at internal air and sea borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania - Presentation by the Commission [WK 2560/2024 INIT]
– Proposals Article 25a Visa Code: debriefing by the Presidency on the discussions held in IMEX (Expulsion) on 16 January and 8 February
– Launch of a migration partnership and dialogue with Mauritania: visa-related aspects - Information by the Presidency
– Publication of a seconded national expert post in DG HOME, Visa policy unit - information from the Commission
– US visa requirement for flight crew members
Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism
– Exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency paper
– 5113/24
3. Kosovo visa liberalisation:
– Presentation by the Commission of the measures carried out with a view to the entry into operation of the visa exemption and exchange of views;
– Information by the Presidency on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava)
– 15074/23
4. Visa Code Article 25a exercise:
– Presentation by the Presidency of a new approach and exchange of views
– 5114/24
5. AOB
– US Enhanced Border Security Partnership
– eVisa Regulations: secondary legislation
Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)
MIXED COMMITTEE
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Visa Code Article 25a exercise:
a) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2459 on the application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia
– Exchange of views
– 13574/23
b) Proposals for a Council implementing decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Ethiopia, Senegal and Iraq
‒ Update from the Commission and EEAS and continuation of exchange of views
– 13582/23 [Ethiopia]
– 14563/22 [Senegal]
– 11671/21 [Iraq]
3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism
– Examination of the revised Presidency compromise text
– 16126/1/23 REV 1
– 16909/23 [Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism - Discussion paper on the thresholds]
4. Waiting time for appointments – actions that could be envisaged in 2024 in coordination with Member States
– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
5. Implementation by France of measures for members of the Olympic family, according to Annex XI of the Visa Code, in the context of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
– Information by the French delegation
– WK 17064/2023
6. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Belgian Presidency
- WK 17100/24 [Presentation highlighting five key priorities on migration and asylum, redacted]
7. AOB
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava) – information by the Presidency
– Debriefing by the Presidency on the EU-U.S. JHA Ministerial meeting (Washington, 13-14 November 2023)
– Debriefing by the Commission on the tripartite meeting with the US (Brussels, 12 December 2023)
– Information on the procedure for the revision of the visa fees – meeting of the Ad-hoc expert group on 20 December 2023
– Scheval training for lead experts – information from the Commission
– US request for the suspension of the Airport Transit Visa exemption for citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
VISA WORKING PARTY
8. Debriefing by the Commission of the 7th EU-Azerbaijan Joint Visa Facilitation Committee, 23 November 2023
9. AOB
Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Visa Code Article 25a exercice:
a) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2459 on the application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia
– 13574/23
b) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Ethiopia
– 13582/23
– Continuation of exchange of views
c) Proposals for a Council implementing decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Senegal and Iraq
‒ Update from the Commission and EEAS and continuation of exchange of views
– 14563/22 [Senegal]
– 11671/21 [Iraq]
3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism
– Examination
– 14008/23
4. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava)
– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
– 15074/23
5. AOB
– Belarus - ban on the issuance and extension of Belarusian travel documents abroad
– Requests for translation of the Visa Code Training
– Possible use of revised VIS for the implementation of the Long-Term Residents Directive
– Changes in US legislation concerning delivery of visas to artists
– EU and Kazakhstan dialogue on visa facilitations
Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)
MIXED COMMITTEE
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Visa Code Article 25a exercice:
a) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2459 on the application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia
– 13574/23
b) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Ethiopia
– 13582/23
– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
c) Proposals for a Council implementing decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Senegal and Iraq
‒ Update from the Commission and EEAS and exchange of views on readmission cooperation
– 14563/22 [Senegal]
– 11671/21 [Iraq]
3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism
– Presentation by the Commission and first exchange of views
– 14008/23 (to be issued)
4. 6th Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council under the visa suspension mechanism
– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
– 14009/23 (to be issued)
5. AOB
– Debrief of the EU-U.S. JHA Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) (Madrid, 5-6 October 2023) and preparation of the EU-U.S. JHA Ministerial meeting (Washington, 13-14 November 2023)
– Information from the Swedish Delegation on the Pilot Launch for the Visa Code Training Project
– Current Omani system for issuing service passports – possible impact for a bilateral visa waiver agreement
VISA WORKING PARTY
6. 7th meeting of the EU-ARMENIA Joint Visa Facilitation Committee (19 October 2023)
– Information by the Commission
7. AOB
Format: 2+2 (Presidency 2+2)
MIXED COMMITTEE
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Visa Code Article 25a exercise
– Update by the Presidency on the latest discussions in the Council on the Commission’s assessment of third countries' level of cooperation on readmission in 2022 [the Commission's report is available here]
– Update and state of play by the Commission on the cooperation on readmission with Senegal and Iraq
3. AOB
– Visa reciprocity with the US
– Information by the Commission on the ECJ ruling of 5 September 2023 in case C-137/21 European Parliament v European Commission
– Debriefing by the Presidency of the EU-US JHA Ministerial Meeting (Stockholm, 21 June 2023) and information on the preparation of the EU-U.S. JHA Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) (Madrid, 5-6 October)
– Adoption of a Commission proposal amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – Information by the Commission on the timeline
– Adoption of the 6th visa suspension mechanism report – Information by the Commission on the timeline
– Evaluation of the Visa Code: State of play – Information by the Commission
– Compendium of the Visa Working Party Presidencies – Information by the Swedish delegation
– Adoption of the Regulation on the digitalisation of the visa procedure and application of the amended VIS
– Planning of the adoption of the delegated acts for the implementation of the Regulation on the digitalisation of the visa procedure
– Belarus - ban on the issuance and extension of Belarusian travel documents abroad
– Media coverage of irregularities in the issuance of visas by Poland
VISA WORKING PARTY
4. Suspension of the application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on the short-stay visa waiver: state of play of the ongoing dialogue with Vanuatu
‒ Information by the Commission
5. AOB
– 7th meeting of the EU-ARMENIA Joint Visa Facilitation Committee – information by the Commission
– 7th meeting of the EU-AZERBAIJAN Joint Visa Facilitation Committee – information by the Commission
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