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Visa waiver agreements

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement and Decisions 2009/478/EC and 2009/896/EC between the EU and Antigua and Barbuda

Agreement and Decisions 2009/479/EC and 2009/898/EC between the EU and Barbados

Agreement and Decisions 2009/480/EC and 2009/899/EC between the EU and Mauritius

Agreement and Decisions 2009/481/EC and 2009/897/EC between the EU and the Bahamas

Agreement and Decisions 2016/431 and 2016/2044 between the EU and China (holders of diplomatic passports)

Agreement and Decisions 2009/482/EC and 2009/900/EC between the EU and the Seychelles

Agreement and Decisions 2009/483/EC and 2009/901/EC between the EU and Saint Kitts and Nevis

Agreement and Decisions 2010/622/EU and 2012/508/EU between the EU and Brazil

Agreement and Decisions 2011/157/EU and 2010/621/EU between the EU and Brazil (holders of diplomatic passports)

Agreement and Decisions 2015/2399 and 2016/1743 between the EU and Colombia

Agreement and Decisions 2016/1888 and 2017/235 between the EU and the Solomon Islands

Agreement and Decisions 2016/1363 and 2017/233 between the EU and the Marshall Islands

Agreement and Decisions 2016/1342 and 2017/225 between the EU and Tuvalu

Agreement and Decisions 2016/1197 and 2017/232 between the EU and Kiribati

Agreement and Decisions 2016/1879 and 2017/234 between the EU and Micronesia

Agreement and Decisions 2016/437 and 2016/1744 between the EU and Peru

Agreement and Decisions 2015/2377 and 2016/1741 between the EU and Palau

Agreement and Decisions 2015/2226 and 2016/1742 between the EU and Tonga

Agreement and Decisions 2015/1033 and 2016/270 between the EU and Grenada

Agreement and Decisions 2015/1030 and 2016/273 between the EU and Timor-Leste

Agreement and Decisions 2015/1037 and 2016/275 between the EU and Trinidad and Tobago

Agreement and Decisions 2015/1031 and 2016/268 between the EU and Saint Lucia

Agreement and Decisions 2015/1032 and 2016/269 between the EU and Dominica

Agreement and Decisions 2015/1035 and 2016/272 between the EU and Vanuatu

Agreement and Decisions 2015/1036 and 2016/274 between the EU and Samoa

Agreement and Decisions 2015/1034 and 2016/271 between the EU and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Agreement and Decisions 2015/785 and 2016/267 between the EU and the United Arab Emirates

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THESE AGREEMENTS?

They form part of the common European Union (EU) visa policy and aim to facilitate travel of legitimate travellers between the EU and certain non-EU countries, on a reciprocal basis.
The agreements provide for visa-free travel for the citizens of the EU and for the citizens of a non-EU country when travelling to the territory of the other party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period.

KEY POINTS

The Schengen area

The agreements apply only to travel to and from Schengen-area countries. 22 of the 27 EU Member States participate in the Schengen area. Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania are legally obliged to join the area in due course, while Ireland maintains an opt-out. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are not members of the EU but are part of the Schengen area.

Visa waiver agreements

The visa waiver agreements referred to are agreements between the EU and non-EU countries that allow visa-free travel for their passport-holding citizens when travelling to the territory of the other party, for up to 90 days during a 180-day period.

Principal conditions

The 90-day period is calculated independently of any stay in a non-Schengen Member State.
The agreements do not normally affect the possibility for the parties to extend the period of stay beyond 90 days in accordance with their respective national laws and EU law.
The agreements do not normally apply to the non-European territories of France or of the Netherlands.
The visa waiver does not apply to persons travelling for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity, unless decided otherwise on a country-by-country basis by the parties.
The countries involved reserve the right to refuse entry if the conditions for entry or short stay are not met.
A joint committee of experts monitors the implementation of the agreement, with the EU being represented by the European Commission.
The parties may suspend or terminate the agreement only in respect of all Member States.

Separate agreements apply to visa waivers for diplomatic or official passport holders travelling to or from China.

Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 on visa requirements for non-EU nationals contains a list of countries whose nationals do not require visas to travel to the EU and a list of countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when travelling to the EU.

The EU Visa Code establishes the procedures and conditions for issuing visas for short stays in and transit through the territories of Member States. It also lists the non-EU countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit areas of EU airports and establishes the procedures and conditions for issuing such visas.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

Country	Date of entry into force
Antigua and Barbuda	1 November 2021
Barbados	1 March 2010
Mauritius	1 March 2010
Bahamas	1 April 2010
China (holders of diplomatic passports)	1 January 2017
Seychelles	1 January 2010
Saint Kitts and Nevis	1 August 2015
Brazil	1 October 2012
Brazil (holders of diplomatic passports)	1 April 2011
Colombia	1 January 2017
Solomon Islands	1 May 2017
Marshall Islands	28 June 2016 (provisional application)
Tuvalu	1 February 2019
Kiribati	24 June 2016 (provisional application)
Micronesia	Not yet in force
Peru	15 March 2016 (provisional application)
Palau	8 December 2015 (provisional application)
Tonga	21 November 2015 (provisional application)
Grenada	1 February 2019
Timor-Leste	1 May 2022
Trinidad and Tobago	1 May 2016
Saint Lucia	28 May 2015 (provisional application)
Dominica	28 May 2015 (provisional application)
Vanuatu	28 May 2015 (provisional application), currently suspended in whole since 4 February 2023 (see Decision (EU) 2022/2198)
Samoa	1 March 2018
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	1 May 2023
United Arab Emirates	6 May 2015 (provisional application)

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

Schengen, borders and visa (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Antigua and Barbuda

Agreement between the European Community and Antigua and Barbuda on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, pp. 3–8).

Successive amendments to the agreement with Antigua and Barbuda have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Council Decision 2009/478/EC of 6 April 2009 on the signing and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and Antigua and Barbuda on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision 2009/896/EC of 30 November 2009 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and Antigua and Barbuda on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 321, 8.12.2009, p. 38).

Barbados

Agreement between the European Community and Barbados on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, pp. 10–15).

Council Decision 2009/479/EC of 6 April 2009 on the signing and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and Barbados on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, p. 9).

Council Decision 2009/898/EC of 30 November 2009 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and Barbados on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 321, 8.12.2009, p. 40).

Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Union and Barbados amending the Agreement between the European Community and Barbados on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 109, 8.4.2022, p. 13).

Republic of Mauritius

Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Mauritius on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, pp. 17–22).

Council Decision 2009/480/EC of 6 April 2009 on the signing and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Mauritius on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, p. 16).

Council Decision 2009/899/EC of 30 November 2009 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Mauritius on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 321, 8.12.2009, p. 41).

Commonwealth of the Bahamas

Agreement between the European Community and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, pp. 24–29).

Council Decision 2009/481/EC of 6 April 2009 on the signing and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, p. 23).

Council Decision 2009/897/EC of 30 November 2009 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 321, 8.12.2009, p. 39).

People's Republic of China

Agreement between the European Union and the People's Republic of China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports (OJ L 76, 23.3.2016, pp. 19–25).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/431 of 12 February 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the People's Republic of China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports (OJ L 76, 23.3.2016, pp. 17–18).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/2044 of 18 November 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the People’s Republic of China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports (OJ L 318, 24.11.2016, pp. 1–2).

Republic of Seychelles

Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, pp. 31–36).

Council Decision 2009/482/EC of 6 April 2009 on the signing and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, p. 30).

Council Decision 2009/900/EC of 30 November 2009 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 321, 8.12.2009, p. 42).

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Agreement between the European Community and the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, p. 38–43).

Council Decision 2009/483/EC of 6 April 2009 on the signing and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 169, 30.6.2009, p. 37).

Council Decision 2009/901/EC of 30 November 2009 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 321, 8.12.2009, p. 43).

Federative Republic of Brazil

Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports (OJ L 255, 21.9.2012, pp. 4–9)

See consolidated version.

Council Decision 2010/622/EU of 7 October 2010 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports (OJ L 275, 20.10.2010, pp. 3–4).

Council Decision 2012/508/EU of 24 February 2011 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports (OJ L 255, 21.9.2012, p. 3).

Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service or official passports (OJ L 66, 12.3.2011, pp. 2–6).

Council Decision 2010/621/EU of 8 October 2010 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service or official passports (OJ L 273, 19.10.2010, pp. 2–3).

Council Decision 2011/157/EU of 24 February 2011 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, service or official passports (OJ L 66, 12.3.2011, p. 1).

Republic of Colombia

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 333, 19.12.2015, pp. 3–9).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/2399 of 26 October 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 333, 19.12.2015, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1743 of 20 September 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 264, 30.9.2016, pp. 25–26).

Solomon Islands

Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 292, 27.10.2016, pp. 3–9).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1888 of 24 June 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 292, 27.10.2016, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision (EU) 2017/235 of 7 February 2017 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 36, 11.2.2017, pp. 7–8).

Republic of the Marshall Islands

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 216, 11.8.2016, pp. 3–9).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1363 of 24 June 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 216, 11.8.2016, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision (EU) 2017/233 of 7 February 2017 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 36, 11.2.2017, pp. 3–4).

Tuvalu

Agreement between the European Union and Tuvalu on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 213, 6.8.2016, p. 3–9).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1342 of 24 June 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and Tuvalu on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 213, 6.8.2016, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision (EU) 2017/225 of 7 February 2017 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Tuvalu on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 35, 10.2.2017, pp. 1–2).

Republic of Kiribati

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kiribati on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 198, 23.7.2016, pp. 3–9).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1197 of 26 October 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kiribati on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 198, 23.7.2016, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision (EU) 2017/232 of 7 February 2017 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kiribati on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 36, 11.2.2017, pp. 1–2).

Federated States of Micronesia

Agreement between the European Union and the Federated States of Micronesia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 289, 25.10.2016, pp. 4–12).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1879 of 24 June 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federated States of Micronesia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 289, 25.10.2016, pp. 2–3).

Council Decision (EU) 2017/234 of 7 February 2017 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Federated States of Micronesia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 36, 11.2.2017, pp. 5–6).

Republic of Peru

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Peru on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 78, 24.3.2016, pp. 4–10).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/437 of 10 March 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Peru on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 78, 24.3.2016, pp. 2–3).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1744 of 20 September 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Peru on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 264, 30.9.2016, pp. 27–28).

Republic of Palau

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 332, 18.12.2015, pp. 13–18).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/2377 of 26 October 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 332, 18.12.2015, pp. 11–12).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1741 of 20 September 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on the short--stay visa waiver (OJ L 264, 30.9.2016, pp. 21–22).

Kingdom of Tonga

Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Tonga on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 317, 3.12.2015, pp. 3–8).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/2226 of 26 October 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Tonga on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 317, 3.12.2015, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1742 of 20 September 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Tonga on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 264, 30.9.2016, pp. 23–24).

Grenada

Agreement between the European Union and Grenada on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 30–36).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/1033 of 7 May 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and Grenada on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 28–29).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/270 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Grenada on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 52, 27.2.2016, pp. 7–8).

Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 3–9).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/1030 of 7 May 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/273 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 52, 27.2.2016, pp. 13–14).

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 66–72).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/1037 of 7 May 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 64–65).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/275 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 52, 27.2.2016, pp. 17–18).

Saint Lucia

Agreement between the European Union and Saint Lucia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 12–18).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/1031 of 7 May 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and Saint Lucia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 10–11).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/268 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Saint Lucia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 52, 27.2.2016, pp. 3–4).

Commonwealth of Dominica

Agreement between the European Union and the Commonwealth of Dominica on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 21–27).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/1032 of 7 May 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Commonwealth of Dominica on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 19–20).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/269 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Commonwealth of Dominica on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 52, 27.2.2016, pp. 5–6).

Republic of Vanuatu

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 48–54).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/1035 of 7 May 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 46–47).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/272 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 52, 27.2.2016, pp. 11–12).

Independent State of Samoa

Agreement between the European Union and the Independent State of Samoa on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 57–63).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/1036 of 7 May 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Independent State of Samoa on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 55–56).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/274 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Independent State of Samoa on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 52, 27.2.2016, pp. 15–16).

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Agreement between the European Union and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 39–45).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/1034 of 7 May 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 173, 3.7.2015, pp. 37–38).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/271 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 52, 27.2.2016, pp. 9–10).

United Arab Emirates

Agreement between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 125, 21.5.2015, pp. 3–9).

Council Decision (EU) 2015/785 of 20 April 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 125, 21.5.2015, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision (EU) 2016/267 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 52, 27.2.2016, pp. 1–2).

Visa waiver agreements

SUMMARY OF:

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THESE AGREEMENTS?

KEY POINTS

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

BACKGROUND

MAIN DOCUMENTS

RELATED DOCUMENTS