Italy given warning over issuing Schengen Visas to Tunisians

So far this year 25,000 Tunisians (who are considered ‘economic migrants’ rather than ‘asylum seekers’) have landed on the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, with many more expected to make the trip in the near future. Tunisians have been leaving the country in great numbers following the ousting of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January this year and the loosening of border controls.

Schengen Visas allow individuals to move freely throughout the Schengen Area for a period of up to 90 days; however the visa does not allow holders to work in the EU. Many countries are concerned that more than 25,000 people will now try to find employment in the EU, some of whom on official work permits but others working illegally in member states.

The Italian Immigration Minister, Roberto Maroni, responded to criticism by saying that “We will give temporary visas for humanitarian protection to those people who are in Italy, not everyone, but those who fulfill certain conditions, which will allow them to move around the Schengen member countries.” And following a meeting with the Tunisian Prime Minister on Tuesday, the European Commission President, Joes Manuel Barroso, said that “Migration should be seen as a common challenge, a shared responsibility. We await strong and clear action from Tunisia, for it to accept the readmission of its migrants who find themselves in an irregular situation in Europe, as well as in the fight against illegal migration.\”

The Schengen area was created to make it easy to travel between the many countries that make up Europe. Prior to the introduction of the are individuals had to carry a passport and clear immigration each time they wished to mover between countries, this caused major problems especially for business people wishing to work across many European countries.

Commonwealth Contractors

Commonwealth Contractors is a collection of highly skilled professionals from the Commonwealth and beyond. We partner with OISC Registered Immigration Partners capable of professionally representing a Tier 1 Visa Application / Extension and Tier 2 Licensed Consultancy & Associated Trust Partners who may be prepared, where required, to sponsor a doctor on a Tier 2 Visa (formerly UK Work Permit). Commonwealth Contractors also provides updates on UK Immigration News.

To find out more call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0330 390 9021 or Submit your Details and we will get back to you. Please be prepared to send a copy of a recent CV so that we can pass to interested partners

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