EU visa clampdown may ease

A proposal to impose harsh restrictions on visas for European Union countries could be altered, says EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten.

Under the proposal, known as the Schengen conditions, from May next year New Zealanders could be restricted to just three months in EU countries.

The measures are aimed at restricting the flow of illegal migrants from North Africa, the Balkans and Middle East.

At present, New Zealanders can stay three months in each of 13 EU countries - Britain and Ireland are not part of the conditions - or about three years in all if they move from one country to the next.

The proposal has concerned New Zealand officials, who say that Kiwi travellers will be caught up in the restrictions when they are not an illegal immigration risk.

Mr Patten said yesterday that a few alterations to the plan were being considered.

"One is the proposal that we should add three months to the three months, so New Zealanders would be entitled to six months all up," he said after meeting Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Phil Goff in Wellington.

"The second is that we should have a reciprocal arrangement for six-month waivers when other countries allow.

"But there is a third issue, which is whether, if you get one or two of the two things I have suggested, then you should be able to apply for a visa while in Europe, not have to come back to New Zealand."

Prime Minister Helen Clark plans to argue New Zealand's case while on her present visit to Europe.

But Mr Patten said it would be hard to make exemptions to the new rules just for New Zealanders.

"It's extremely difficult to frame rules and regulations which take very specific account of individual circumstances, but in a sensible world, you try to accommodate your friends as best you can."

Mr Goff hoped the rules would not restrict low-risk travellers such as New Zealanders too much.

"New Zealand, not being a country renowned for overstaying and trans-national crime, would obviously like to see a special arrangement reached that would give the maximum flexibility to New Zealanders travelling in Europe," he said.

"But we appreciate it is difficult for the EU to make decisions about individual countries."

- NZPA