Islamabad, June 26, 2025: The European Union has decided to take a tougher stance on visa-free travel, approving new rules that give it more control over who can enter the Schengen zone without a visa. Nations that enjoy visa-free entry could now face bans if they fail to follow international laws or EU expectations.
Stricter Conditions for Visa-Free Entry
The European Parliament and the Council have agreed to changes that allow the EU to quickly suspend visa-free access to government representatives and diplomats of countries that:
- Violate human rights
- Ignore decisions from international courts
- Disrespect the United Nations Charter
The message is clear: any breach of international norms may result in the loss of visa-free privileges.
Investment Passports Under Scrutiny
The EU is also targeting modern risks that go beyond diplomacy:
- Governments using migration as a political weapon
- Countries selling passports to wealthy individuals with questionable backgrounds
- Security threats linked to citizenship-for-sale programs
Such actions are seen as direct risks to EU stability, and could trigger swift suspension of travel rights.
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No More Diplomatic Exceptions
Under the new approach:
- Officials with diplomatic or service passports can also lose their visa-free status
- Red carpet treatment for government elites is no longer guaranteed
Countries misbehaving on the international stage will face equal consequences — from top-level officials to ordinary passport holders.
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Temporary Suspensions Could Become Permanent
Even though the changes are not officially law yet, the European Commission already has power to:
- Begin the suspension process on its own or on request from any EU state
- Issue temporary bans while holding discussions with the concerned country
- Turn temporary restrictions into long-term bans if there’s no resolution
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What It Means for Pakistan
Pakistanis are not affected by the changes at this time. But the new rules apply globally — and any breach of international agreements in the future could result in a loss of privileges.
The EU’s message is firm: follow the rules, or lose access. Countries once confident of European Union visa-free entry must now think twice.
