International News
EU to relax visa rules T he European Union (EU) has simpli-
fying the rules to obtain a Schengenarea visa in the hope of encouraging more travel to the bloc and boosting tourism income. The changes could help with economic recovery in the crisis-battered EU, by bringing in an estimated 130-billion euros over five years and helping to create 1.3 million jobs, according to the European Commission.The Schengen area comprises 22 of the EU’s 28 member states - Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland, Cyprus, Romania and Britain are not included - as well as nonEU members Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, said: “Europe needs a smarter visa policy. We need to attract more tourists, business
cumbersome visa rules. The measures include reducing visa processing times; simplifying application forms, including online procedures; removing the need to buy travel insurance; offering one-year visas to tour the bloc; and allowing EU embassies to handle requests on behalf of other member states. people, researchers, students, artists and culture professionals to our shores while preserving a high level of security at our borders.” The changes could lead to a 60 percent increase in visitors from six key countries - China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Ukraine, the commission said. About 6.6 million potential travellers from these markets had been put off in 2012 by
The measures require the approval of EU member states and the European Parliament, which is not expected before 2015, the commission said. A total of 17.2 million people applied for Schengen visas in 2013, according to the commission, with the bulk coming from Russia. That country alone accounted for more than 6 million visa applications in 2012, according to a SAPA-DPA report.
Foreign students are not ‘immigrants’ R esearch by Universities UK and the think-tank British Future suggests the public wants foreign students to be removed from immigration control targets.
The study called for an easing of restrictions on graduates working in the UK after finishing their course and the introduction of an overarching “international student growth strategy” to boost numbers beyond the 300,000 currently studying in the country each year. A poll commissioned as part of the study found that almost six-in-10 people – 59 per cent – opposed any reduction in foreign students. Less than a quarter – 22 per cent – wanted a reduction in numbers. Three-quarters of people are in favour of allowing international students to stay on and work after they finish their degree.Just over four-in-10 adults believe foreign gradu32 |Manafez Dubai |October ٢٠١٤ |
ates should be allowed to stay in the UK as long as they have work, while 16 per cent support a two-year maximum and 12 per cent called for a cap of up to five years. Sixty per cent of the population believes international students bring money into the local economy. The government has introduced a more stringent process for vetting applicants, new credibility interviews, increases in visa application charges and restrictions on working in the UK after graduation. This includes giving them just four months to find employment and requiring them to find a job paying at least £20,500.