The Gambia: visa fees down to normal level

Gambia Europe

BRUSSELS, 12 April 2024 / PRN Africa / -- Today the Council decided that the visa fee for nationals of The Gambia who wish to travel to the Schengen area will be reduced from €120 to the standard visa application fee of €80.

Because of a lack of cooperation of The Gambia as regards readmission of its nationals illegally staying in the EU, the Council had decided in December 2022 to increase the standard application fee for nationals of The Gambia to €120. Since then, The Gambia has substantially and sustainably improved its cooperation on readmission as regards the organisation of return flights and operations.

Background

The EU visa code of 2019 introduced a mechanism which makes it possible to use visa processing as leverage in the EU’s cooperation with third countries on readmissions.

Because of a lack of cooperation on readmission, the EU decided in 2021 to temporarily suspend for nationals of The Gambia

the possibility that member states waive requirements with regard to the documents to be submitted by Gambian visa applicants

the limitation of the processing period to 15 calendar days

the issuing of multiple entry visas

the optional visa fee waiver for holders of diplomatic and service passports

In a second step, because cooperation on readmissions had not improved, the EU increased in December 2022 the visa fee. This second decision has now been repealed.

Copyright European Union, 1995-2024

SOURCE European Council