Every year, there are nearly one quarter of a million applications from Thai citizens to obtain a visa to go to Europe, for vacation or business trips. Europe is the top tourist destination in the world with a wealth of natural, cultural and artistic heritage. But despite the vital importance of the tourism sector, the red tape and practical difficulties facing visa applicants today are substantial.
Many Thai travellers are discouraged because of cumbersome visa rules and long waiting times. The problems faced by so many when applying for a visa is a wake-up call, and it is time for Europe to address this issue.
Tomorrow there will be a proposal to change the EU visa legislation to make it easier to apply for a visa to the EU borderless area known as Schengen. The European Commission the executive branch of the EU with the power to propose new legislation is presenting proposals for an overhaul of the visa laws, to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.