The situation regarding migration and security in Europe has fundamentally changed during the past few years. The visa process is a key tool to prevent risks of irregular migration and security risks to the European Union (EU). At the same time, visa policy fosters economic growth and cultural exchange by facilitating the process for travellers to the EU who comply with the legal entry criteria, such as business people, tourists, students and young people. We are considering whether the EU's policy on visas still strikes the right balance between these objectives and how it can be changed to address current challenges in terms of migration and mobility, including how visa policy could be used in the EU's relationship with third countries.

That is why the Commission wants to hear from the main ‘users’ of the common visa policy: individuals, interest groups, advocacy groups, think tanks and professional organisations. We want to hear from as broad a range of users as possible, as it is important to get views and input from all stakeholders.