The new Visa Strategy, adopted by the Commission, sets out a framework for a visa policy that is more strategic and that advances the EU’s long-term interests. It should leave the EU better equipped for growing mobility and the consequences of regional instability and geopolitical competition.
The aim of the strategy is to make Europe safer, more prosperous, more influential globally and more efficient. The Visa Strategy is built on three key pillars:
- Strengthening the EU’s security – the Strategy puts forward concrete measures to leverage visa policy to advance the EU’s strategic interest and strengthen the EU’s security framework.
- Boosting prosperity and competitiveness – the Strategy puts forward new measures to support the EU’s global competitiveness, attract and retain talent, and make legitimate travel easier, faster and more predictable for tourists and business travellers.
- Modernise visa tools – The EU is deploying advanced digital tools to modernise visa and border management.
Important points from the Visa Strategy
- New digital procedures are coming for visa-free and visa-required travellers.
- Multiple-entry visas will have a longer validity for ‘trusted travellers’.
- Possible changes to EU rules will be explored to improve conditions for talent.
- There will be additional support for non-EU citizens and employers to address challenges related to the visa process through the European Legal Gateway Offices.
- There will be additional EU funding to support visa processing for (highly) skilled non-EU citizens.
More recommendations: attracting talent for innovation
The Commission is also adopting recommendations on attracting talent for innovation. This should make the EU more attractive to highly qualified and skilled professionals, students, researchers and innovative entrepreneurs. It should also support the EU’s competitiveness in a global context.
Shared recommendations with report on Mobility obstacles
The adopted recommendations match a number of recommendations from the report on Immigration and mobility of researchers in Europe. This report is a result of the EURAXESS CoP ‘Supporting mobility and Procedures’. An early version was shared with the European Commission last year. The report will be shared broader in Q1 of 2026. A few recommendations that we recognised:
- There should be a shorter decision period on applications for visas and residence permits.
- There should be a shorter waiting time at embassies for visa applications/collection appointments.
- There should be no more double requests for documents during the visa procedure.
Best practices: please share them with us!
In 2026 the Commission will be gathering input on National best practices. If you already have a Dutch example, please share it with us via euraxess@nuffic.nl.