Peruvians can enter islands without visa

Peruvians can freely travel to the Netherlands, Aruba, St. Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands without a visa as of today, Tuesday. Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders signed the agreement with Peru on Monday.

Minister Koenders signed the visa exemption agree ment with Peru as Chairman of the Council of the European Union (EU) which enables Peruvians to enter the Schengen Area. Schengen comprises of 26 European countries that have abolished passport and any other type of border control at their common borders. EU citizens were already able to freely enter Peru.

According to Koenders, Peru is strongly developing politically and economically, which provides opportunities for the EU, the Netherlands, Aruba and St. Maarten to promote trade relations with this stable and constructive South American country.

The Netherlands is eying and intensifying export to Peru, especially in the areas of know-how and technology in the top sectors agriculture and food, water, mining and energy, and transport and infrastructure. The Netherlands also wants to strengthen the political relations with Peru.

Peruvians can now stay up to 90 days within a period of 180 days in the Schengen Area. The lifting of the visa restriction counts for all sorts of travellers and travels, such as tourism, cultural visits, scientific activities, family visits and business trips. A work visa is still required in case a Peruvian wants to work within the Schengen Area.

Aside from the visa exemption from the Schengen Area, the lifting of the visa requirement will also count for Aruba, Bonaire, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba. The Curaçao Government will shortly decide on the visa exemption for Peruvians.

The Daily Herald.