Tuesday, January 16, 2007

ROAD TOWN, BVI: The German Embassy in Trinidad has informed the British Virgin Islands Government that fees for a Schengen visa have increased effective January 1, 2007.

Schengen visas are issued for travel to any of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

The new visa fee is Euro €60, up from Euro €35. The increase does not apply to fees for national visas issued by individual countries.

Schengen visas allow visitors to enter via one of the participating countries and then travel freely to other participating countries for up to 90 days. Applications may be made at any of the participating countries’ overseas posts.

In correspondence sent to Government, the German Embassy in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, said that the increase is a result of an EU Council decision made in June 2006, and will finance the significant investment needed to collect biometric facial and fingerprint data of all applicants.

“The use of biometric data will give applicants increased protection from identity theft and will additionally secure EU external borders against illegal migration and terrorism,” the December 14, 2006 letter stated.

The letter further stated that children under six years of age, school pupils, and students and accompanying teachers on study or educational trips, as well as researchers, will be exempted by all Schengen states from the visa fees regardless of their nationality.

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