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Ecuadorian Foreign Minister seeks Schengen visa exemption
Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury has expressed optimism regarding the possibility of obtaining a Schengen visa exemption for Ecuadorian citizens. While no specific timeline has been established, Kury noted that several European Union member states already support the proposal, though other nations are still conducting their analyses.
The exemption process is a collective decision managed by the European Parliament rather than individual countries. If successful, the measure would allow Ecuadorians to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or short-term study without a visa.
However, challenges remain. The European Commission has highlighted the need to address high visa rejection rates. Data indicates that Schengen visa rejections for Ecuadorian applicants rose from 15% between 2019 and 2025 to 31% in 2026. Addressing these rejection rates is considered a prerequisite for the potential removal of visa requirements.
Entities
Ecuador · European Commission · European Parliament · Roberto Kury · Schengen Area
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Some EU member states already support the visa exemption proposal, while others are still analyzing it. www.larepublica.ec · www.elcomercio.com · www.expreso.ec
- [● 3 SOURCES] The decision to exempt Ecuador from Schengen visas rests with the European Parliament rather than a single nation. www.larepublica.ec · www.elcomercio.com · www.expreso.ec
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury expressed optimism regarding the potential exemption of Schengen visas for Ecuadorian citizens. www.larepublica.ec · www.elcomercio.com · www.expreso.ec
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Schengen visa rejection rates for Ecuadorian applicants rose from 15% between 2019 and 2025 to 31% in 2026. www.expreso.ec
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The European Commission has indicated that the percentage of rejected visa applications must be reduced before considering an exemption. www.expreso.ec