[drubio]

The timing on this is suspect. With all the Airbnb travel and remote work dynamics, it seems like its an effort to clamp down on tax loopholes.

It's splitting hairs not calling this a 'visa'. If you have to pay a fee and fill out forms before arrival IT IS intended to regulate foreign entry, which is the definition of a visa, since you're exchanging information with immigration authorities before they let you in.

[cowl]

This has been under discussion for a lot of time and negotiating with US to remove their Electronic registration system. Europeans are tired of this asymetric treatment and EU can not postpone this anymore. It's tit for tat with the excuse of security.

[rhaway84773]

This. It’s basically tit for tat by the EU.

Its also great timing for them with the massive uptick in tourism they’re seeing

[stanac]

It's not that simple. Same regulations affect citizens of Balkan counties who don't need visa at the moment.

[jayflux]

This has been in discussion for like 10 years, long before brexit and the pandemic even. It’s just only coming to fruition now.

[raverbashing]

This was discussed and planned pre-pandemic, this was even delayed due to the pandemic

Whatever definition you'd like to use for it applies to ESTA as well

[dukeyukey]

And the ESTA absolutely is a visa. I hate this double-standard of _saying_ you've got visa-free travel, you just gotta fill out this form with all your details so we can decide whether or not you've got permission to visit.