France tightens visa rules for overseas territories

France is tightening visa rules for foreign nationals seeking to travel to the country's overseas territories, the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) told Report.

Unlike the Schengen visa regime applied in mainland France, the country maintains separate and more restrictive entry and visa requirements for its overseas territories.

Under French law, overseas territories located outside Europe - including Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion, Mayotte, Kanaky (New Caledonia), Maohi Nui (French Polynesia), and Wallis and Futuna - are not part of the Schengen Area. As a result, holding a Schengen visa generally does not grant entry to these territories, and foreign nationals who require visas must obtain separate visas for travel there, BIG said.

The group claims that France's stricter visa regime is aimed at limiting international scrutiny of colonial-era crimes committed in the overseas territories.

According to BIG, additional visa and administrative requirements make it more difficult for local populations, representatives of indigenous communities, journalists, researchers, human rights defenders and other international participants to travel to and from the territories and bring information about alleged colonial crimes and their continuing consequences to international platforms.

BIG also argues that the additional entry requirements create obstacles for tourists, investors, entrepreneurs, researchers and other foreign economic and social actors. It says the restrictions could hinder tourism revenues, investment flows, business ties and regional economic cooperation.

The group further notes that such restrictions particularly affect small and geographically isolated economies in the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Ocean regions by limiting their access to foreign markets and weakening regional economic integration.

BIG said that France's overseas territories could consequently become more economically dependent on mainland France while having fewer opportunities to strengthen commercial and economic ties with neighboring countries.

The statement also alleged that the French government has refused to issue visas to BIG employees and individuals seeking to travel to the overseas territories through the organization.