EU Parliament Postpones Voting on Schengen Visa Exemption for Ecuador

The plenary session of the EU Parliament on the proposal of the Commission to no longer require Ecuadorians to apply for a Schengen visa when reaching the bloc was postponed for this week, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

Commenting on the postponement, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that they are still waiting for the procedures to be completed and, at the same time, pointed out that they hope to make progress so that its citizens get to travel visa-free to the EU, Swiss Info explains.

“In the last few hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility has learned that the vote on the issue, which was to take place next week, has been postponed. We are still awaiting the European parliamentary procedures and we hope to make progress on this important issue,” the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador reads.

Apart from making such a statement, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said on Friday that an investigation has been launched for several Members of the Parliament.

According to Swiss Info, the proposal to exempt nationals of Ecuador from Schengen visa requirement when reaching the EU for travel purposes is expected to be voted on December 14 or December 15. During the same plenary session, the MEPs are also scheduled to vote on the Schengen visa exemption for Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.

Previously, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reported that Ecuador expects a positive outcome on the matter. Earlier in November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Juan Carlos Holguín, said that this is an important process for Ecuador and highlighted that the lifting of the Schengen visa requirement would mark a milestone.

Since Ecuador is yet expected to reach a visa exemption agreement with the EU, its nationals are required to apply for a visa before reaching the EU for travel purposes.

>> Who Needs and Who Doesn’t Need a Schengen Visa to Travel to the EU?

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa which permits travellers to enter any member state of the Schengen Area for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days for tourism and business purposes.

Those applying for a Schengen tourist visa are required to submit several documents. Schengen visa applicants must submit a completed visa application form, their passport, two photos, an invitation letter, a roundtrip itinerary reservation, evidence of purchasing travel health insurance, proof of accommodation, as well as proof of financial means.

Additional documents may be required too depending on the employment status of the applicants.