Here’s everything about Fees hike of Schengen Visa
Travelers who are considering a trip to the Schengen area may expect a significant increase in their overall travel expenses, mainly because of the impending hike in Schengen visa fees. According to recent news sources, the European Commission has suggested raising the Schengen visa application fee in 2024, making travel more expensive for potential tourists.
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Intended increase in fees
Interestingly, the body in charge of raising Schengen visa costs every three years is thinking of raising them even more for nations that show “insufficient cooperation on readmission.” This will include countries that permit people expelled from Schengen member states to re-enter, which will put an additional financial strain on some tourists.
Members and non-members of the Schengen Area
The Schengen area is made up of 27 member states in Europe that have a common visa requirement for travel abroad. Visas are not needed for citizens of these member nations to travel freely within the Schengen area for up to 90 days.
To enter the Schengen area, however, requires a Schengen visa for nationals of non-EU nations, including China, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Notably, this condition does not apply to nationals of Australia, the United States, Canada, or Britain.
The price of Schengen visa in 2024
According to sources, if the plan is adopted, the price of a Schengen visa for adults will increase by 12.5%, from €80 to €90, and for children, it will climb from €40 to €45.
Additionally, the sources state that the adult visa fee will increase from €160 to €180 and the child visa fee will increase from €120 to €135 for nations that have not cooperated in citizen readmission.
Comments on the proposed Schengen visa charge were received by the European Commission on February 2 and will be considered through March 1. Experts from member nations overwhelmingly endorsed the change of visa costs during a meeting in December 2023.
Reasons for the elevation of fees
The impetus for the anticipated increase in Schengen visa costs is the European Union’s rapidly rising rate of inflation. According to the information supplied by the European Commission, this means that visa costs need to be modified in order to account for the current state of the economy.
Additionally, outside Schengen visa providers will be permitted to increase their service rates in accordance with the proposed modification. Visa agencies may now charge a maximum price of €45, which is half of the regular fee, as they are considered external providers. Previously, the maximum fee was €40. It is noteworthy that the cost of renewing a Schengen visa will not alter from €30.
Contributed by Ankit raj Sharma