

No express lane: EU Gateway Office won't give preferential treatment for Indian visa applications, say lawyers
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The European Union’s (EU) decision to set up a “Legal Gateway Office" in India under the EU-India Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility, announced alongside the conclusion of the India-EU free trade agreement, will not create any special immigration rights or fast-track visas for Indians seeking to work or study in Europe, lawyers told Mint.
Decisions on long-term visas for employment, education and research will continue to rest with the 27 EU member-states under their respective national immigration laws. The proposed office does not form part of the binding text of the free trade agreement, and it cannot mandate faster processing, preferential treatment or guaranteed entry.
It is expected to function primarily as a facilitation and information hub. “The Legal Gateway Office is intended to be a one-stop platform to centralize information, guidance and initial support for Indians looking to study, work, conduct research or take up seasonal and highly skilled roles in the EU," said Veena Gopalakrishnan, a partner in the labour and employment practice at Trilegal.
“It does not create new visa rights or override the immigration laws of member-states." “We will facilitate the movement of students, researchers, seasonal and highly skilled workers," European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on 27 January, when the FTA announcement was made. “This is also why we are launching the first EU Legal Gateway Office in India.
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