Travelling to Europe will be costlier as all Schengen Visa applicants lodging an application from February 2, 2020 will be subject to the new Schengen Visa Code, which among others foresees an increase in visa fees by 33.3 per cent.

The VFS Global office in Muscat stated, ‘As of February 2, 2020 the Schengen visa fee per person (Short Stay Visa) will increase from €60 (RO25.5 approx) to €80 (RO34 approx) or the equivalent amount in your local currency. For children between 6 and 12 years old, the visa fee will increase to €40 or equivalent.’