Brussels is preparing to introduce stricter visa rules targeting third countries that fail to cooperate with the European Union on migration and readmission. According to a Commission note obtained by Euractiv, the new plan aims to make it easier for skilled professionals to enter Europe while tightening restrictions on nations that refuse to collaborate on migration management.
The document, circulated among EU member states, outlines the framework for what officials describe as a “modern and fit-for-purpose visa policy.” The new system seeks to balance two goals — encouraging talent mobility into the EU and penalizing uncooperative governments. This approach aligns with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s broader strategy in her second term, which uses internal EU policies to strengthen the bloc’s geopolitical influence.
Under the proposal, visa-free exemptions for third countries will be reviewed every three years — or earlier if extraordinary circumstances arise. The Commission would also have the power to suspend or withdraw visa exemptions more swiftly than current regulations allow. Countries with deteriorating relations with the EU could face targeted visa bans, including restrictions on government officials or the suspension of all non-essential visas.
A key tool in this new policy will be Article 25a of the Visa Code, which ties visa privileges to a country’s willingness to take back its nationals under EU readmission agreements. The proposal suggests recalibrating this article to allow partial or total visa suspensions for specific categories, such as holders of diplomatic passports or applicants for short-term and long-term stays, if a country refuses to cooperate.
At the same time, the EU is looking to make itself more attractive to researchers, innovators, and highly skilled professionals. The plan encourages member states to simplify residence and long-stay visa procedures for qualified workers to address Europe’s ongoing labour shortages and drive innovation. The Commission is also proposing EU funding to help consulates process these applications efficiently and may introduce 10-year multiple-entry Schengen visas for trusted travellers to boost business mobility.
To support this initiative, the European Commission plans to create a new visa support office within Frontex, the EU border agency. This office would help train consular officers and deploy additional staff to assist embassies during busy periods. The move marks a major structural shift intended to make visa operations more uniform and responsive across member states.
Additionally, Brussels wants greater oversight of private companies that process visa applications on behalf of EU countries. Recent scandals involving outsourcing firms have raised concerns over transparency and accountability, prompting the Commission to conduct the first-ever EU-wide study on visa outsourcing practices.
Once finalized, the proposal will go to the European Parliament and the Council for debate later this year. If approved, it could reshape how the EU manages migration and mobility — rewarding cooperation and tightening the screws on countries that fail to comply with European readmission policies.