Immigration newsletter 18 May 2005

Many Eastern European Countries joined the EU on 1 May 2004 which enabled citizens from these Countries to travel freely in the EU.   Some Countries in Europe who are not in the EU have been voicing their desire for visa-free visits to the EU this week. The Ukraine asked the EU to consider granting its citizens visa-free visits to EU member states. As a show of good will, the Ukraine is offering limited visa-free travel for EU citizens to the Ukraine. Russia has also made it clear that it wants fewer visa restrictions for its citizens who want to travel to the EU. The EU wants Russia, however, to take back Russian citizens who are currently illegal immigrants in the EU – something which Russia so far has been reluctant to do.

The US also addressed the issue of visitor visas for nationals from Eastern Europe this week, when it announced a “road map” for obtaining visa-free visits to the United States, which most Eastern European countries also desire.

Meanwhile, US resorts trying to create a European atmosphere by hiring European temporary workers, complain that there are not enough H-2B visas. While the US government recently decided to allow H-2B visa holders to return to previous employment without getting a new visa, many Eastern Europeans are finding it easier to work in Western Europe rather than the US.

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