EU links visa policy to migration cooperation, tighter visa-free oversight

BRUSSELS

The European Commission has unveiled a new EU visa policy strategy that would reward third countries cooperating on irregular migration and returns with easier visa procedures, while tightening oversight of visa-free travel regimes and expanding tools to respond to abuse.

Presenting the proposal in Brussels on Jan. 29, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said visa policy should reflect “geopolitical changes,” global competition and evolving security risks, arguing the bloc needs “stronger tools” to curb misuse and address threats.

Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner described migration and visa policy as “twins” that need to move together, calling visa-free travel “a privilege” that comes with responsibilities and should be tied to objective criteria, including cooperation on returns and readmission.

As part of the strategy, the Commission said it plans a 2026 revision of the EU Visa Code to make its leverage mechanism more “strategic and agile” when third countries fail to cooperate on readmission, including options such as suspending fast-track processing and multiple-entry visas — and, in serious cases, suspending visa issuance for certain or all passport categories.

Asked whether the strategy singled out any country — including Türkiye — Brunner said there was “no specific country,” adding: “We are talking to everyone,” and that the EU wants “objective, fair and robust rules” to discuss with partners outside the bloc.

The Commission also wants to speed up digitisation, including rolling out the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) for visa-free travellers in the last quarter of 2026, while moving toward fully online application processes and stronger data interoperability in the coming years.

On competitiveness, the strategy flags work in 2026 on possible legal adjustments — including exploring an EU-level framework for start-up and scale-up founders and other innovative entrepreneurs — as Brussels seeks to attract skilled workers, researchers and students.