Dear Madame Minister.(Mrs Pandor)
I recently applied for a short stay Schengen visa to travel to various countries in the Schengen region as I have twice before and this time requested consideration for a longer period as I plan to visit more frequently now I am almost 60. Disappointingly I was issued a multi entry visa valid for a mere 18 days.
I find it rather patronising and discriminatory that citizens of countries such as Australia that have no historical connecting to the European Union other than its tenuous connection to Britain ,may travel merely with the new Etias online registration but we South Africans must still go through the arduous and costly Visa process and still be given the lowest level of access despite submitting all items required.
I would be most hugely grateful if you would consider petitioning for South Africa being included as one of the Etias countries thus allowing South Africans to easily travel within the Schengen union for up to 90 days (even 30 would be welcome) in any 180 day period.
With sincere thanks and best regards
Amanda Chaplin,Fishhoek ,CapeTown.