Pearle* welcomes the European Commission’s first-ever EU Visa Strategy presented on January 29th and, in particular, the recognition of the practical challenges created by the current Schengen short-stay rule, which limits third-country nationals to 90 days of stay within any 180-day period across the Schengen area.  

We strongly appreciate the Commission’s explicit acknowledgement of the complexity this system creates for mobile professionals, including touring artists, and its commitment to exploring pragmatic EU-level solutions for extended short stays for selected categories. This is an issue that affects both visa-free and visa-required third-country nationals, which Pearle* has addressed to the EU institutions for many years already. For the performing arts sector, cross-border mobility is a structural reality, essential for cultural exchange, economic activity, and Europe’s global cultural presence. 

Furthermore, we welcome the aim of the Commission to enhance clarity on visa processing, including description of the documents needed, the possibility of multi-entry visa longer than five years for bona fide travellers, and the digitalisation of visa applications, among others. 

Pearle* looks forward to engaging with the Commission and Member States on the forthcoming work, to ensure legal clarity and workable procedures that support artistic mobility. This initiative represents an important opportunity to better align migration tools with the realities of cultural work and to strengthen Europe’s attractiveness as a destination for international artistic collaboration.