The European Union (EU) has announced a reduction in the Schengen visa fee for Gambians from €120 to a standard €80. This decision comes amid improved cooperation between The Gambia and the EU, leading to the normalization of the visa application cost.

Since 2022, Gambians have been paying a higher visa fee of €120 for refusing to accept Gambian migrants being deported from Europe. However, following The Gambia’s efforts to cooperate with the EU, the Council has decided to revert to the standard application cost of €80.

The Council’s decision means that the visa fee for nationals of The Gambia who wish to travel to the Schengen area will be reduced from €120 to the standard visa application fee of €80. This change is expected to make it more affordable for Gambians to apply for Schengen visas, potentially increasing interest among Gambians to travel to the EU.

While the visa fee has been reduced to the normal level, nationals of The Gambia will still have to undergo the same procedures as before when applying for Schengen visas. The only change is that they will now be able to save €40.

The EU authorities have not commented on the effects that this change will have, but it is expected that the interest among Gambians to apply for Schengen visas will rise now that the increased fee no longer applies to them.

The Council of the EU decided to increase the Schengen visa fee for The Gambia in December 2022. Since then, all Gambians have been paying a 50 per cent higher fee than other nationals who need a visa to enter the Schengen Area.

Prior to the visa fee increase, the EU also took a series of measures against Gambian nationals in 2021. The EU suspended the possibility for member states to waive requirements for documents submitted by Gambian visa applicants, suspended the issuance of multiple entry visas for Gambians, and suspended the limitation to process applications within 15 days, leading to longer waiting times.

The current standard fee for Schengen visas stands at €80. However, the EU Commission might soon decide to increase the Schengen visa fee by 12 per cent, raising it to €90. This increase is said to be needed due to inflation, according to the Commission’s draft proposal. If approved, the changes will not affect visa fees for countries that already have visa facilitation agreements with the EU.