Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of taking steps to removing the Schengen visa requirement for third country citizens with indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Some third country nationals are required to hold a visa when travelling to the Schengen Area and it is for Member States to implement that visa policy. A list of the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area, and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement, is detailed in EU regulations. Third country nationals should look to the country whose nationality they hold to make representation to the EU regarding visa requirements.