BOTs cleared for travel across Europe visa free

| 11/06/2014

(CNS): British Overseas Territories subjects can now travel to twenty-six European countries visa free. The new access is as a result of changes in the European Union’s travel regulations regarding countries surrounding and what are known as the Schengen states, not all of which are EU members but who have lifted travel restrictions across their relevant borders. The freedom of movement is now extended to British Overseas Citizens (BOCs), British Protected Persons (BPPs), and British Subjects (BS). The countries are located all across Europe, from Estonia to Greece, providing the opportunity for OT Citizens to travel freely from country to country on vacation or business.

The countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. In addition the visa concession applies to Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus.

Officials explained that citizens who hold either a full British passport, or a BOTC, BOC, BPP or BS passport will have visa free access to the Schengen Area. This applies to both current passports and the proposed new machine-readable passports. Arriving passengers may be asked to confirm sufficient funds available for the duration of their stay and to show a return or onward ticket.

However travellers are advised to still check the entry requirements of the country or destination before confirming travel plans. The visa concession covers visits only for a maximum duration of 90 days in a 180 day period. It does not cover employment or study – in which instances the appropriate visa must be obtained prior to travelling.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and Ireland, while both EU member states, don’t participate in the borders and visas aspects of the Schengen agreement and continue to operate border controls with other EU members.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    So let's get this right.  Cayman people using the UK connection get to visit Europe freely with a right to work, yet UK citizens here are classed as ex-pats.  Thought so!  Fair and just – not……

    • Anonymous says:

      So 22;26

      Tell me how you would expect this little piece of island to accomodate the 504,456,000 Europeans.

      The Uk alone has 64 million.

      They all have free movement to visit.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Caymanians can visit without a visa, the article specifically states that they still need a visa to work or live.  So what are you really mad about?

  2. Michel says:

    That’s great news. You are right Cayman is pricing itself out rapidly and I wonder how many Caymanians will be able to continue to live here in the future. We might have to resort to the same as the Old Days but not on ships. And we might even be appreciated. We now live in a rich man land. Come and invest, the locals are tamed. I really feel for my Grandchildren. Michel Lemay

  3. Anonymous says:

    15:54, ????????????

    Brilliant, cannot understand a 1 paragh write up, but going home with our job,

    bet you are a  mgr. as well.

  4. Knot S Smart says:

    Wow… Now we can travel to Europe visa free…

    Now all I need to find is the money for my ticket and hotel and food…

  5. Anonymous says:

    Great! Does this mean that people from 26 EU nations can travel freely and work freely here too?

    I reckon CIG will wake up in about a year and realise that not many actually want to stay here any more, and that the jobs are leaving the island with those people, and the fees and spending with it. Heard of another one today, person going back to Canada, job to be done remotely from there, no more work permit fees here. We have 3 such jobs ourselves where this has happened in recent months. People just cannot be bothered with the PR system.

    • Anonymous says:

      Read the article idiot. Cayman passport holders can only visit European countries for up to 90 days without a visa. They cannot work or live there. Guess what, Europeans can visit here without a visa too!

    • Anonymous says:

      15;54

      Are you saying you would like to see the 504 million Europeans be able to work and carry on business here in Cayman? what a stupid thought!

    • Anonymous says:

      Where does it say we can work? It clearly stats visit for a 90 day period without a visa.