As we have already reported earlier in February, Ukrainians have to wait for visa-free benefits within the EU until June. Today, however, the European Parliament cast its official vote that will allow Ukrainians to visit countries within the European Union without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for holiday, business, and other purposes except work.
European lawmakers voted 521 to 75 (with 36 EU lawmakers abstaining) to grant Ukrainians with biometric passports the right to visit visa-free the EU for up to 90 days. The waiver does not include Ireland and the United Kingdom as well as the Schengen countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, which are not EU states.
The visa-suspension mechanism for Ukraine was approved as early as December 2016, but the official vote of the European Parliament followed only today. EU states still need to agree on the decision of the European Parliament. Ambassadors representing the 28 EU member states are expected to approve the deal when they meet in Brussels on April 26, 2017. EU ministers will then follow up with the official seal of approval on May 11, according to Radio Free Europe.
Georgian citizens are free to travel without visas within the EU since March 28, 2017.