Ministry: Visa-Free Travel To Schengen Nations
The Ministry of Home Affairs provided more information about visa-free travel for British Overseas Territories Citizens [BOTC] passport holders to Schengen countries.
A Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson said, “The Ministry acknowledges the recent approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union permitting BOTC passport holders to travel visa-free to the Schengen countries.
“Whilst we are grateful for the work that Mr. Walton Brown has advised he undertook, it is important that the Opposition wait for official notices from the Government so that there is no confusion to the public.
“In particular, in this instance, the information reportedly attributed to Mr. Brown that the commencement date was June 4, 2014.
“We have been advised by Government House, the official source, that the commencement date is in fact June 9, 2014, and not June 4.”
“The public should be award that the amendment comes under Regulation [EC] No. 539/2001 and includes specific categories of British nationals in the Schengen visa exemption list.
“Aligned with the new permissions afforded to BOTCs, British Overseas Citizens [BOC], British Protected Persons [BPP], and British Subjects [BS] were the other three categories the United Kingdom added to the visa exemption list.
“It was determined by the European Parliament and Council that the imposition of the visa requirement on nationals such of Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates, and Vanuatu is no longer justified.
“Equally, it was decided that BOTCs [known as British Dependent Territories citizens prior to February 2002], such as Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, and St. Helena should also be exempt, as such nationals are entitled to right of abode in the UK or for British Citizenship.
“There are approximately 250,000 BOTC nationals based in 14 Overseas Territories around the world. The decision to move toward an expanded exemption list was based on the fact that the aforementioned countries, including several others, do not present any risk of illegal immigration or a threat to public policy and security for the Union in accordance with the criteria set out in the Regulation.”
“According to the UK Government, the change has removed the anomaly that saw a small number of British nationals requiring a visa to visit the area. The UK government identified a short summary list of other benefits this change brings.
“These include border control becoming more straightforward as all categories of British nationals will be treated the same, the fact that the exemption list will pose a negligible risk of irregular migration, people-to-people contacts will be encouraged with better ease of travel for tourists and greater potential for trade benefits, and intra-Caribbean travel will be facilitated as BOTCs residing in the UK Caribbean Overseas Territories will be able to travel visa-free to other European Union Caribbean Overseas Territories.”
The spokesperson added, “There are currently 26 Schenghen countries, which include 22 EU countries and four non-EU countries. Travel to the Schengen countries allows for stays for up to 90 days in a 180 day period. With the effective date of June 9, 2014, there is much buzz locally, and for Bermuda this is welcome news as it will simplify business, tourism, and family visits for BOTCs to countries such as France and Monaco, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, to name a few.”
“The Department of Immigration has had inquiries from the public asking for supporting documentation to assist with travel to Schengen countries. Through dialogue with Government House, the Ministry can confirm that the only proof that one requires is a BOTC passport which will allow for unhindered landing in a Schengen country.
“The Ministry advises that persons who have a need to travel shortly after June 9, 2014 and who may be concerned with being landed in a Schengen country should print off the information pertaining to the exemption, specifically ‘Official Journal of the European Union – L149/67′.
“Government House has also posted a message on its Facebook page; the Honorary Consuls’ network have been duly informed, and the Bermuda Airlines Representative will be similarly apprised.”
Awesome news!
Before I knew we needed Visas I slipped into France and Italy unquestioned. Many people would have had similar experiences, but this is simply luck of the draw. Wasn’t so lucky in Hungary…
Great news for Commercial Immigration! Now we if we run a programme we can tote the VISA FREE TRAVEL banner to a lot more countries. Thanks Mr. Brown for hooking us up great news.
“In particular, in this instance, the information reportedly attributed to Mr. Brown that the commencement date was June 4, 2014.
“We have been advised by Government House, the official source, that the commencement date is in fact June 9, 2014, and not June 4.”
Oh no Mr. Brown misled the public … he must resign
!
Good point.
Mr Brown did in fact mislead the Bermuda public. Not only that, he did it by deliberate action. Grassroots Bermudians should not have to be mislead like this.
He should resign immediately.
Walton Brown mislead Bermudians. He should resign over this. It is unacceptable.
Bean Walton Brown needs to resign ASAP!!! U cant make this stuff seriously!!
*up
Bermuda is taking credit for something that it did not create. It was agreed that BOTC citizens can travel visa free, Bermuda just benefits from that result, it did not make it happen. Yet another reason to be thankful for our UK connections. I’m sure that I don’t need to point out that this (along side a host of other benefits) goes away if we ever go independent, but I will.
It may still be easier with a British Passport. Although this means that Bermudians don’t need a visa they may not be able to pass through the Euro passport line which is much quicker.
Shenanegans!….Now we’re tawlkin!
Walton Brown was retained as a consultant by his cousin Dr. Brown to spearhead this initiative. The PLP felt it necessary to take these steps since it was more concerned about the future political ramifications should Bermudians take the more obvious and practical step of getting a UK passport, which they are ALL entitled to. Approaching the problem and advising on available solutions on both fronts was appropriate – not just one.
Walton Brown did work to get these concessions for Bermudian passport holders and he was paid for it. This is not the point. The point is he (and the PLP) never advised the public that another simple alternative over this visa problem was readily available i.e. get a UK passport. The PLP have consistently avoided advising Bermudians of the benefits available to them because of our status with the UK. There are numerous examples of this: from passports, to university fee differentials of UK vs USA, to simple electronic visa entitlements in certain countries (e.g. Australia) should you have a UK passport, to the right of abode in the UK (and all EU countries!) for ALL Bermudians – including aspiring young Bermudian professional footballers and cricketers who automatically do not need to worry about technical visa rules that apply to UK/EU foreign athletes, etc., etc.
The main point here is this: The PLP as Government was responsible for looking out for the interests of Bermudians and did so to the best of their ability provided their personal goals (cling to power) were not compromised. If there was ever a conflict, party was always put above country. There are many, many examples of this and this visa issue is just one. The real tragedy is Bermuda is now having to face the costly consequences of this posture. Hardly “standing strong” for Bermudians, more like architects of our decline!!