Arman Yeghoyan Proposes Solutions to Visa Appointment Issues

During a session of the Permanent Commission on European Integration, the chairman Arman Yeghoyan posed a question to Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan regarding the process of obtaining Schengen visas at embassies.

“There have been increasing complaints both about the availability of appointment slots and the visa application process, but the lion's share of complaints is related to scheduling appointments. We investigated the issue, and numerous questions arose. There is a problem with the increase in the number of applicants and the adequacy of embassies’ capabilities. As far as I understand, travel agencies can somehow book appointments, then resell them. How can we resolve these issues?” Yeghoyan stated.

According to the deputy foreign minister, the situation has indeed worsened. “We have received numerous complaints from citizens and officials alike. We are working in two directions and will convene several partners next week for discussions. To resolve the issue, it is necessary to make the visa application process more transparent. I must say that improvements have been made following meetings with several embassies. The issue is under our attention,” the deputy minister said.

Yeghoyan noted that the issue has gained wide public resonance and urgent solutions need to be proposed. “It is also possible to reach a political agreement with embassies to grant long-term multiple-entry visas to those who travel frequently and have a clean travel history, so they do not have to apply every time, thus avoiding lengthy queues,” proposed Arman Yeghoyan.