On the 25th of April another meeting of political discussion club on the basis of the Regional Security Research Center of SSU took place. This time all the members of the club continued to discuss the issue of perspectives of visa free regime for Ukraine.

Visa free regime is a new phenomenon for Ukraine. Today every Ukrainian that wants to go to any EU country on any purpose has to pass the long process of getting the schengen visa, that goes along with a big number of beaurocratic procedures and paperwork. But this situation can be completely changed in the beginning of Autumn in 2016. Thus, right now The Europarliament considers the issue of visa free regime between Ukraine and the EU. The Council will announce its decision after 3 months.

What is the visa free regime as such?

Firstly, everyone who will want to go to any EU country except for Great Britain and Ireland (no visa is needed for these countries), will need to have a biometrical external passport. The term of residence in a EU country is 90 days. Moreover one can use the visa free regime only on business, touristic or family purposes.

The condition of having visa is always kept in cases of work, studying or permanent residence. Also a border guard will have a right to check the presence of a return ticket, hotel booking, invitation, and paying capacity for the period of being abroad.

What will be the role of visa free regime?

One of the pluses of such a regime is that Ukrainians get used to that they are Europeans. Such a process can become the starting point in changes, because there will be no wonder that after visiting Europe they will want to create it here in Ukraine.
Yes, there are two sides of the same coin. For example, in such conditions there may appear such a process as brain drain, despite that visa free regime doesn’t allow to find a job abroad. But today there are many loopholes to work illegally. But the scenario can be different. Today if a person wants to work in a EU country, he/she has to formalize an employment visa: earns money on it, does a big job to get it, gets it and leaves Ukraine forever. In the conditions of visa free regime a person will understand that he/she will come back. And if visa regime is like a one way ticket, visa free one is like a round-trip.

Overall, it is obvious that visa-free regime does not mean the mass emigration of the population. It just simplifies the relevant procedures. Nowdays Ukrainians each time, when they getting a visa, have to take a test similar to "are you a man?", but receiving a visa-free regime will change the situation for the better. As an example, there is an interesting conference next week, so, if you have money and present ability, it`s enough to buy a ticket - and you're done! However, the barriers are not erased. One, which continue to be, is the economic situation in the country. It is likely that the visa-free regime for Ukraine will not bring something bad, but also it is still difficult to call it panacea. 

The discussion of such important issues are already a step forward the new changes. Today the discussion about visa-free regime for Ukraine has ended, but it is still a lot of important issues to discuss and interesting people, who can talk about them. Next week Club of political discussions will continue its work. This is important to know what is happening in our city, country and the world. Everyone, who want to share with their thoughts, come in on! 

Jana Dyryavska, 
journalist of the Center