In light of the changes that the Trump administration has made recently, the European Commission wants to act fast to take advantage of these measures, which have not been welcomed by many Americans.
According to Politico, the EU is working to improve its visa services in order to attract US researchers, as the Trump administration has cut science and research budget significantly, Schengen.News reports.
One of the changes that the EU has in mind, for which the bloc’s research ministers will gather on May 23 to discuss, is related to processing visas faster.
EU Dedicated to Improving Visa Waiting Times as It Eyes US Researchers
As the EU enhances its efforts, the Research Commissioner, Ekaterina Zaharieva, has stated that the Commission plans to come forward with proposals for the improvement of coordination among the EU countries.
For example, visas, how fast we issue visas. We want to motivate the member states to use the tools that we have faster, because the speed also matters. Let’s use this momentum and this opportunity and attract the brightest and best talents of the world.
The Commissioner wants to integrate scientific freedom into law by proposing the European Research Area Act next year. In addition, the EU Commission President previously announced a plan to attract US researchers, allocating half a billion euros for this matter.
EU & UK Still Negotiating Youth Mobility Scheme
One of the achievements that the EU has on its list is the youth mobility scheme with the UKfor which there are still negotiations.
The EU and the UK politicians have gathered several times in recent years to reach a deal about this youth mobility scheme, which would allow people between the ages of 18 and 30 from the UK and the EU to live, study, and work in the respective countries.
The necessity for such a scheme came after the UK left the EU in an act known as Brexit. Rules that followed the exit of the UK were too restrictive for Brits, who, before Brexit, could travel to the EU without any restrictions.
Now, they would be treated like any other third-country national and had to apply for long-term visas if they planned to work or live in the Schengen Area.
Brits, particularly, are torn between agreeing to a youth mobility scheme or not, as many argue it is not necessary, while others push for easier access to the EU countries.