EU Visa Code became applicable

The Visa Code, which is an EU regulation adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in June 2009 and is directed to the Consulates of States applying the common visa policy, became applicable on April 5, 2010, the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova informs, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, who is responsible for internal affairs, said the Visa Code addresses a number of issues and problems that remained outside the scope of the visa facilitation agreement: better information provision, motivation of refusals and appeal procedure. This horizontal modernisation of the EU's visa policy will benefit visa applicants of all nationalities, but in particular those from neighbouring countries such as Moldova who wish to travel frequently to the EU. The visa facilitation agreement derogates from some of the Visa Code rules by offering more favourable conditions to Moldovan citizens (e.g. €35 visa fee instead of €60, visa fee waiver for broader categories, simplification of document requirements, 10-day processing time instead of 15 days). The requirement to fingerprint applicants will only become applicable in Moldova when the Visa Information System (VIS) is operational at EU Member States' consulates in Moldova. The VIS is being gradually introduced in different regions of the world, starting in North Africa in late 2010. There is not date foreseen yet for the introduction of the VIS in Moldova. Visas will still be issued for the purpose of transit. However, the code "B" visa will no longer be printed on the visa sticker. "B visas" issued before 5 April 2010 will remain valid until their expiry date.