Most likely, there is no hope for any easing of the excessive attention from the relevant authorities towards Ukrainian citizens wishing to cross the border. The Schengen area is expanding to include five more northern European countries, and with this, the responsibility of each Schengen Agreement participant towards its partners increases. Therefore, in light of the heated discussions about illegal migration taking place in the West, Ukrainian citizens should prepare themselves for even stricter conditions for obtaining entry visas and the procedure for crossing the state borders of European countries.
Among the more pleasant innovations is the planned abolition of border control within the Schengen Area. If this actually happens, Ukrainians, along with EU citizens, will be able to move freely from one country to another without fearing deportation to their homeland. It is also quite possible that the notorious 'rule of first entry into the country that issued the Schengen visa' will automatically cease its adverse effect on our freedom-loving citizens.
Elena BUKHNO, director of outbound tourism at the company «SAM»:
— The expansion of the Schengen Area will allow us to combine individual routes across European countries. If earlier, for example, to travel to the Netherlands and Sweden, one had to obtain two entry visas from the embassies of two countries, now it will be enough to get one — a Schengen visa. Of course, this will greatly simplify the process of arranging a tour.
As for any toughening of the rules for issuing entry visas, we have not received any information so far. Possibly, the Scandinavian countries joining the Schengen Area will introduce some of their own additional requirements for visa applicants and for us as tour operators.