Uh-oh

[peregrina2000]

Something to pay attention to:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...eks-to-reinstate-visas-for-american-travelers

 

[Kitsambler]

Something to pay attention to:

So the European Parliament has now voted, and we can anticipate the EU Commission to take action in the next two months.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-03-02/europe-votes-impose-visas-americans

There are five (eastern, recently added) members of the EU for which the US still requires visas; all others are in the Visa Waiver Program. So there are two ways for this travel problem to disappear: (1) US could add the five additional EU members to the VWP, or (2) the EU Commission could ignore the resolution from EU Parliament.

 

[Kitsambler]

The documentation required for a visa is considerable:
http://www.schengenvisainfo.com/france-visa/ and the requirements for Switzerland are identical, so I suspect they are uniform throughout the Schengen area.

However, each country requires a separate visa, and each visa process can take two months (one must mail in the passport, so this is a serial process for a multi-nation trip).

Can one of the Euros here please advise on the EU Parliament vs EU Commission? Is this new requirement likely to actually happen?

 

[jerbear]

I am all ears. I leave for spain may 30. Oh my

 

[trecile]

This actually came up last year also. I think that it's unlikely to happen because of the impact it would have on tourism.

 

[Kathar1na]

Can one of the Euro[pean]s here please advise on the EU Parliament vs EU Commission? Is this new requirement likely to actually happen?

No.

 

[fenix]

This actually came up last year also. I think that it's unlikely to happen because of the impact it would have on tourism.

No.

I hope y'all are right. Unfortunately, the political landscape has changed significantly in the past year. This sort of thing feels much less predictable lately.

 

[BShea]

This actually came up last year also. I think that it's unlikely to happen because of the impact it would have on tourism.

I wouldn't count on that. It wasn't so long ago that we had to get visas for France... late 80's or early 90's. If I remember correctly, it was in retaliation for our requiring visas for French citizens. It was only temporary, but I got stopped at the Swiss border two days before it ended.

 

[KinkyOne]

Something to pay attention to:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...eks-to-reinstate-visas-for-american-travelers

Reciprocity would be visas for let's say 10 federal states

 

[KinkyOne]

However, each country requires a separate visa, and each visa process can take two months (one must mail in the passport, so this is a serial process for a multi-nation trip).

I kind of doubt that because once you enter any country inside the Schengen area you are free to move around as there are no border controls.

 

[edandjoan]

I read the article off another news feed and it seems the EU did the same to Canada and by years end Canada will eliminate the visa process of all EU country not current exempt. I am sure all will work out fine. The news media really like to hype things up.

 

[Bradypus]

Reciprocity would be visas for let's say 10 federal states

Perhaps we had better not speculate on which 10 states out of 50 would be top of the list for exclusion...

 

[JabbaPapa]

I can't see this materialising either --

 

[wayfarer]

Please try to keep political comment from the thread.

 

[Kathar1na]

This sort of thing feels much less predictable lately.

I'm ging to make a bold prediction. It's totally apolitical. It's just based on the (little) bits I know about how things work legally. I read quite a bit of nonsense (based on obvious ignorance) in some - not all - of the headlines and news articles that turned up in Google News today.

March, April, May - nothing will happen
June - meeting Commission and US delegation (already scheduled)
June/July - Commission follow up report (already planned)
August - summer

 

[JabbaPapa]

Please try to keep political comment from the thread.

It's a thread about a political decision -- but I accept your point, and wish you good luck keeping it clean.

 

[peregrina2000]

I am not trying to stir up political debate, nor am I trying to scare anyone. I consider NPR a reliable source and thought that it was something that everyone should be aware of in case things change. The problem, of course, is that there's not anything that US passport holders can do to prepare for it if it does happen. Like others, I assume that ample notice will be given if and when such a policy is implemented, so I don't think there's any cause for hysteria.

 

[Eve Alexandra]

This is all over social media today. Definitely something to keep an eye on.

 

[Mark Lee]

Much ado about nothing.
I will believe it when I see it.

 

[TaoWay]

So I saw this pop up on social media today. Have had my flight booked to Paris for about a month now. I'm going to buy into what others are saying that this will be a longer process. I'm set to travel from May 23rd - mid July from the states. Really hoping this doesn't alter my trip in any way!

Not trying to touch on anything political, but I myself did think 2017-2022 would be a weird time for traveling.

 

[nycwalking]

Much ado about nothing.
I will believe it when I see it.
View attachment 32245

Let us all hope and pray for no Camino travel govretaliatebumblestruble.

 

[Mark Lee]

No offense to anybody, but this is a useless thread, based on nothing concrete and all the information in regards to it comes from a radio show and no official government sources.
Why put unnecessary concern into anybody planning a Camino? I say delete the thread. It provides no advice or assistance to anybody.

 

[wcsjms]

Something to pay attention to:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...eks-to-reinstate-visas-for-american-travelers

No longer an "if" ..

https://www.yahoo.com/news/european-parliament-ends-visa-free-131026287.html

 

[trecile]

No longer an "if" ..

https://www.yahoo.com/news/european-parliament-ends-visa-free-131026287.html

It's still not a "done deal".

From the article above:

"The latest vote, prepared by the civil liberties committee and approved by a plenary session of parliament, gives the Commission two months to act before MEPs can consider action in the European Court of Justice.


The Commission is legally obliged to act to suspend the visa waiver for Americans, but the European Parliament or the Council of the European Union have the chance to object to the “delegated act” it uses to do so."

 

[C clearly]

This is interesting, but not such a big deal. Over the years, for example, the Czech Republic and Canada have traded tit-for-tat visa requirements. When there was a requirement, I had to pay $70 for a visa and make sure I applied a week or two before traveling. Currently I need a visa for Australia but it can be acquired online for $25 (I think), more or less instantly.

It is good to be aware that visa requirements for various countries do change from time to time, and you should keep an eye on them as your travel time approaches. It is not the case that everyone will suddenly be barred!

 

[cher99840]

Far from a done deal and I appreciate the heads up. It will be what it will be and those of us who want to travel will adapt.

 

[Mark Lee]

I swear, sometimes I think there is some sort of odd attempt by some members of this forum to reduce potential Camino walkers by posting stuff like this. Something that is speculation. Possibility. Like bedbugs or no vacancy albergues.
Again, to any potential Camino walker from the US that is reading this ridiculous thread, just ignore it. If (repeat IF) this matter were to go into effect you will know about it when it happens and at that time deal with it. Otherwise, it's just useless noise. Don't change your plans. Live life (and the Camino) fearlessly.
ultreia

 

[Kathar1na]

Some of the articles/headlines quoted in this thread are misleading/incomplete. They are best ignored.
Here are facts, not an opinion:

• the EU Parliament cannot impose visa rules;
• the EU parliament cannot force the European Commission to impose visa rules;
• the European Commission has already reacted to the recent EP resolution and confirmed what they are going to do: continue to try to find a solution for the issues at hand by negotiating with the US administration and publish a progress report in June (see press briefing on 03/03/2017).

 

[HikingGeo]

Some of you may be aware that yesterday, the EU parliament recommended by a non-binding show of hands that the EU commission require Americans to have visas to enter any EU country. This is basically in retaliation to the US currently requiring citizens of five EU countries to have visas to enter the US. Supposedly those countries (Poland, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria and Cyprus) don't meet certain standards the US requires for visa exemption. The EU parliament apparently has no real power and the Commission has the final decision. The recommendation is that the visa requirement be implemented within two months if reciprocity is not attained. If that were to occur, that could impact many of this forum's members' plans, some already scheduled (including mine). This is apparently not a "Trump thing" as the visa requirement has been in place for a while. The EU understands that the impact of imposing the visa requirement would be millions or billions of lost dollars/Euros. They have indicated that all they want is reciprocity such that no visas would be required for any EU member citizens. I have to think that the combination of US citizen pressures on congress and EU pressures to not endanger significant tourism revenues will result in some kind of reasonable compromise. All that said, it would be wise for all of us the watch this closely.

 

[Mike Trebert]

Some of you may be aware that yesterday, the EU parliament recommended by a non-binding show of hands that the EU commission require Americans to have visas to enter any EU country. This is basically in retaliation to the US currently requiring citizens of five EU countries to have visas to enter the US. Supposedly those countries (Poland, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria and Cyprus) don't meet certain standards the US requires for visa exemption. The EU parliament apparently has no real power and the Commission has the final decision. The recommendation is that the visa requirement be implemented within two months if reciprocity is not attained. If that were to occur, that could impact many of this forum's members' plans, some already scheduled (including mine). This is apparently not a "Trump thing" as the visa requirement has been in place for a while. The EU understands that the impact of imposing the visa requirement would be millions or billions of lost dollars/Euros. They have indicated that all they want is reciprocity such that no visas would be required for any EU member citizens. I have to think that the combination of US citizen pressures on congress and EU pressures to not endanger significant tourism revenues will result in some kind of reasonable compromise. All that said, it would be wise for all of us the watch this closely.

There are reports that American tourism (visits and flights TO the USA) has experienced a falloff in recent months. So maybe the bigger picture will develop in more complex ways: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/feb/28/us-tourism-experiences-a-trump-slump

 

[alaskadiver]

There is already a thread open on this topic with many replies.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/uh-oh.46113/

 

[Mike Trebert]

There is already a thread open on this topic with many replies.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/uh-oh.46113/

Uh-oh is right. Looks kind of political over there. When the fun starts, the moderator isn't far behind.

 

[Mike Trebert]

I have 3 passports: Australian, American, and Canadian. I haven't used the American one for almost 20 years. The Australian one is sooo much easier to travel with. Born in the USA, live in Oz.

There's reportedly a big slump in the American tourist business. Far fewer trips and flights inward these last few months. If the EU Commission gets snitty, it could be sad and a nuisance for Americans

Well worth keeping an eye on.

Buen Camino, - Mike

 

[RobertS26]

No longer an "if" ..

No. It is still "if". The vote by the Parliament is non-binding. It is essentially an advisory opinion to the EU Commission. And the EU Commission is smart enough not to commit economic suicide by making it difficult for Americans to spend their hard earned vacation dollars in Europe. This literally is much to do about nothing.

 

[Mike Trebert]

No. It is still "if". The vote by the Parliament is non-binding. It is essentially an advisory opinion to the EU Commission. And the EU Commission is smart enough not to commit economic suicide by making it difficult for Americans to spend their hard earned vacation dollars in Europe. This literally is much to do about nothing.

It wouldn't be economic suicide to give the golden goose a poke in the ribs. It would be intelligent.

 

[FamPed]

This tread makes me want to say: -No comments..

 

[peregrina2000]

I swear, sometimes I think there is some sort of odd attempt by some members of this forum to reduce potential Camino walkers by posting stuff like this. Something that is speculation. Possibility. Like bedbugs or no vacancy albergues.
Again, to any potential Camino walker from the US that is reading this ridiculous thread, just ignore it. If (repeat IF) this matter were to go into effect you will know about it when it happens and at that time deal with it. Otherwise, it's just useless noise. Don't change your plans. Live life (and the Camino) fearlessly.
ultreia

I guess we have different ideas about what is useless noise. I think it's important to be as informed about the issues of the day as possible. I'll bet a majority of the US forum members don't even know there is a European Parliament or what it has authority to do, much less how it relates to the European Commission, so Kathar1na's clarifying post educated a lot of us and that is a plus.

Only a careless reader would read the news articles linked to here and change plans or get hysterical. We can't control how people process information, but we can stick to the facts.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/world/europe/eu-visas-parliament-united-states.html

There are lots of political percolations here, so I agree with you that it's time to lock it.