Latest news with #Schengen
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
More Schengen limits introduced as Belgium announces border checks
Belgium is set to introduce border checks this summer in a bid to curb illegal migration, marking a further restriction on free movement within Europe's Schengen zone. The new measures, confirmed on Friday by a spokesperson for junior migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt, will affect those entering the country, which shares borders with the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, and Germany. The move signals another challenge to the principle of open borders across the continent. Prime Minister Bart De Wever, in office since February, has said curbing migration is a key priority for his right-leaning government. "Time for entry controls. Belgium must not be a magnet for those stopped elsewhere. Our message is clear: Belgium will no longer tolerate illegal migration and asylum shopping," Van Bossuyt wrote on X. The announcement follows similar moves by the Netherlands and Germany, part of a broader crackdown on migration across the continent, even as numbers of arrivals on many major routes have shown signs of falling. "The checks will be carried out in a targeted manner on major access roads such as motorway car parks, on bus traffic ... on certain trains ... and on intra-Schengen flights from countries with high migration pressure, such as Greece and Italy," a Belgian government statement said late on Thursday. Belgium is part of the open-border Schengen area which guarantees free travel between its 29 member states. Under article 23 of the Schengen Borders Code, members can temporarily reinstate border checks in response to security or migration pressures. A spokesperson for the Belgian Immigration Office said it was difficult to give figures for illegal immigration at the moment without the systematic border checks. Belgium, one of the world's richest countries, received 39,615 asylum applications in 2024, 11.6% more than in 2023, numbers from the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers show. The country had the capacity to take in 35,600 applicants in 2024, according to the figures, leaving many arrivals without proper accommodation. European Union ministers agreed to let Bulgaria and Romania join Europe 's ID-check free travel zone, known as the Schengen area, by lifting land border controls from this year.
Daily Tribune
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Israel Among First at Risk as EU Tightens Visa-Free Entry Rules
European Union introduces tougher criteria for suspending Schengen visa waivers, placing Israel and Serbia under potential scrutiny In a major shift to its travel policy, the European Union is poised to reform the mechanism that governs short-stay visa-free access into the EU and Schengen countries — with Israel reportedly among the first nations at risk under the new rules. The European Parliament and Council reached a political agreement on Tuesday to expand the grounds for suspending visa-free travel. For the first time, violations of international human rights, humanitarian law, and breaches of United Nations resolutions could justify the imposition of mandatory visas for countries currently benefiting from the waiver. According to EU Parliament sources cited by Euronews, Israel's treatment of Palestinians and its ongoing military campaign in Gaza have raised significant concern, with allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity being referenced in UN reports. Serbia has also been named as another country under watch due to repeated concerns about human rights violations. Currently, nationals from 61 countries — including Israel, Australia, the UK, Japan, Ukraine, and the Western Balkans — enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, this exemption can be suspended under certain conditions, though such action has only been taken once in the past — against the Republic of Vanuatu. Under the new agreement, the suspension mechanism will become easier to trigger. Thresholds for invoking the mechanism have been lowered, and additional criteria have been introduced. Notably, the reformed rules empower the EU to suspend visa-free access if a country is found to be violating UN Charter principles, ignoring international court rulings, or involved in systemic human rights abuses. 'This tool helps us deliver the values that have built our community and allows us to enforce human rights and respect for international law,' said Slovenian MEP Matjaž Nemec, the lead rapporteur for the legislation. 'No specific country is being targeted,' he added, although sources suggest that discussions around Israel played a significant role in shaping the final draft. Under the procedure, the European Commission would issue an implementing act to suspend visa-free access for an initial period of one year. This decision must be approved by EU member states and can only be blocked by a qualified majority. Extensions would require further acts, which could be vetoed by either the Council or the European Parliament. In addition to human rights criteria, the reformed regulation introduces stricter controls over irregular migration. The threshold to flag a "significant increase" in irregular stays will now drop from 50% to 30% of the previous period's numbers. Furthermore, the benchmark for low asylum approval rates — another trigger for suspension — will rise from 4% to 20%. These changes are seen as part of the EU's broader push to manage migration and assert values-based diplomacy. 'The Polish presidency pushed hard for this reform due to strong ambitions among member states,' Nemec added, highlighting the political momentum behind the deal. While the legislation has been agreed upon in principle, it must still be formally adopted by both the European Parliament and the Council before becoming law. Once enacted, it could have significant implications for countries currently enjoying visa-free travel — especially those under scrutiny for human rights practices.
Business Insider
10 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Nigerian agency shuts down France, Belgium, Italy visa processing center
A Nigerian agency, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed off the visa processing center for France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja due to alleged consumer rights violations. The FCCPC has sealed the visa application center for France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja due to alleged consumer rights violations. Complaints included excessive fees, delays, and lack of clear refund and application procedure information. The commission seeks resolution and improved consumer services despite temporary disruptions caused by the closure. The action follows numerous complaints from Nigerian applicants accusing the visa processing center of charging excessive fees, causing prolonged delays, and failing to provide clear information on application procedures and refund policies. The center, operated by TLScontact, a Teleperformance company responsible for handling Schengen visa applications, had allegedly failed to comply with Nigeria's consumer protection laws. FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Babatunde Irukera stated that the Commission would sanction service providers who violate consumer rights, regardless of their international affiliations. The closure is expected to disrupt visa application processes temporarily, but the FCCPC is willing to work with the parties to resolve the issues and ensure that transparent and consumer-friendly services resume. Visa centre penalty backstory According to Boladale Adeyinka, director of surveillance and investigations at the FCCPC, the center obstructed an investigation into consumer complaints and conducted services deemed "inimical to consumers' welfare." The FCCPC's attempt to serve a summons to TLS staff escalated into further conflict. Adeyinka stated, " On the 25th of March 2025, based on a consumer complaint, a letter was served on them to address the consumer complaint... The officers of TLS, rather than receive the consumer complaint, proceeded to assault our officers who were conducting the lawful duty of protecting and implementing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA)." Adeyinka warned that this behavior carries serious consequences, stating, " Section 33 stipulates that any person who... fails or refuses to appear before the commission... commits an offence and is liable... to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding N20 million."
The Star
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Belgium announces border checks in migration clampdown
FILE PHOTO: A large Belgium's flag is unfolded in Brussels, Belgium July 21, 2021. REUTERS/Yves Herman/ File Photo BRUSSELS -Belgium will introduce border checks on people coming into the country to clamp down on illegal migration, the government said, in another limit on free movement across Europe's Schengen zone. The restrictions in the country that borders the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Germany will start this summer, a spokesperson for the junior minister for migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, said on Friday. "Time for entry controls. Belgium must not be a magnet for those stopped elsewhere. Our message is clear: Belgium will no longer tolerate illegal migration and asylum shopping," Van Bossuyt wrote on X. The announcement follows similar moves by the Netherlands and Germany, part of a broader crackdown on migration across the continent, even as numbers of arrivals on many major routes have shown signs of falling. "The checks will be carried out in a targeted manner on major access roads such as motorway car parks, on bus traffic ... on certain trains ... and on intra-Schengen flights from countries with high migration pressure, such as Greece and Italy," a Belgian government statement said late on Thursday. Prime Minister Bart De Wever, in office since February, has said curbing migration is a key priority for his right-leaning government. Belgium is part of the open-border Schengen area which guarantees free travel between its 29 member states. Under article 23 of the Schengen Borders Code, members can temporarily reinstate border checks in response to security or migration pressures. A spokesperson for the Belgian Immigration Office said it was difficult to give figures for illegal immigration at the moment without the systematic border checks. Belgium, one of the world's richest countries, received 39,615 asylum applications in 2024, 11.6% more than in 2023, numbers from the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers show. The country had the capacity to take in 35,600 applicants in 2024, according to the figures, leaving many arrivals without proper accommodation. (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Belgium announces border checks in migration clampdown
BRUSSELS -Belgium will introduce border checks on people coming into the country to clamp down on illegal migration, the government said, in another limit on free movement across Europe's Schengen zone. The restrictions in the country that borders the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Germany will start this summer, a spokesperson for the junior minister for migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, said on Friday. "Time for entry controls. Belgium must not be a magnet for those stopped elsewhere. Our message is clear: Belgium will no longer tolerate illegal migration and asylum shopping," Van Bossuyt wrote on X. The announcement follows similar moves by the Netherlands and Germany, part of a broader crackdown on migration across the continent, even as numbers of arrivals on many major routes have shown signs of falling. "The checks will be carried out in a targeted manner on major access roads such as motorway car parks, on bus traffic ... on certain trains ... and on intra-Schengen flights from countries with high migration pressure, such as Greece and Italy," a Belgian government statement said late on Thursday. Prime Minister Bart De Wever, in office since February, has said curbing migration is a key priority for his right-leaning government. Belgium is part of the open-border Schengen area which guarantees free travel between its 29 member states. Under article 23 of the Schengen Borders Code, members can temporarily reinstate border checks in response to security or migration pressures. A spokesperson for the Belgian Immigration Office said it was difficult to give figures for illegal immigration at the moment without the systematic border checks. Belgium, one of the world's richest countries, received 39,615 asylum applications in 2024, 11.6% more than in 2023, numbers from the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers show. The country had the capacity to take in 35,600 applicants in 2024, according to the figures, leaving many arrivals without proper accommodation. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
