This agreement provides Schengen visa fee reduction to €35 for Belarusian citizens and shortens the deadline for making a decision on a visa application to 10 days.
Additionally, the categories of citizens for whom this visa will be free, such as children under the age of 12, schoolchildren and students, going to educational trips, researchers and representatives of non-profit organizations under the age of 25, participating in cultural and educational activities, are also established.
Ratification on the Belarusian side and approval by the European side, as well as the entering of the document into force, is going to happen in June 2020.
Moreover, the parties also signed a readmission agreement for the return of persons staying illegally. Both agreements are to be ratified by the National Assembly of Belarus, and from the EU side – approved by the European Parliament. The agreements will enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date when the last notification on completing interstate ratification procedures is received. The website of the European Commission indicates, that it could happen in June 2020.