The EU restores the visa price for Gambian nationals after observing greater migration cooperation

BRUSSELS, April 12 () –

This Friday, the European Union restored the cost of the visa for Gambian nationals to 80 euros, the standard rate, thus withdrawing the increase in the price up to 120 euros after confirming greater cooperation on immigration matters.

The decision to raise the visa price to 120 euros for Gambians was taken at the end of 2022 as a response to Banjul's lack of collaboration to address the deportation of illegal migrants.

Since then, the 27 consider that the African country has substantially and steadily improved its cooperation on readmission with regard to the organization of flights and return operations, which is why it has decided to relieve this measure of pressure.

The EU tightened its visa policy with Gambia in retaliation for its lack of cooperation in the readmission of migrants deported from EU soil. It was the first time since the visa rules were modified that measures were adopted to link them to immigration management.

Apart from the price, the European bloc agreed to temporarily suspend some of the exemptions enjoyed by the Gambian population on short-term trips, that is, less than 90 days, to community soil.