Schengen visa expands coverage to nine countries

Beginning December 21, countries covered by the Schengen visa will be expanded to 24 following the addition of nine European states. The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday advised Filipinos traveling to Europe that with the expanded coverage of the Schengen area, holders of valid Schengen visa can also go to the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. The new list will join the 15 Schengen states: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, German , Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Iceland and Norway. “The public is advised that the relaxation of passport controls and obligatory security checks that will take place on December 21 in the aforementioned nine countries shall only cover land border crossings and seaports, the DFA said in its advisory. “For airports and air travel, the relaxation of controls shall commence only on March 30, 2008," it further said. However, not all European Union (EU) countries are members of the Schengen visa arrangement. Those traveling to the United Kingdom and Ireland will have to secure separate visas, as well as those going to or transiting through Croatia , Serbia , and Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Filipinos are requested to always verify visa requirements with the embassies and consular offices of the countries they intend to visit. Filipinos are also advised to ensure that their travel agencies and tour operators are in possession of updated information on the entry and transit regulations of European countries," the DFA said. More information may be obtained at the website of the European Union (www.europa.eu) and the European Commission (http://ec.europa.eu). - GMANews.TV