Rabat – The Parliament and the Council of the European Union have agreed to digitalize the procedure for Schengen visas. This entails introducing an online application system and replacing the traditional visa sticker with a digital version with the goal of making the application process easier and enhancing security.
The newly proposed regulation will see digital Schengen visas issued in a digital 2D barcode format that is cryptographically signed. This innovative approach aims to address the risks associated with counterfeit and stolen visa stickers, SchengenVisa news reports.
The primary objective of this proposal, according to the Council, is to streamline the visa application process and enhance efficiency. Additionally, the EU authorities hope to strengthen security within the Schengen Area by implementing these new rules.
“The digital visa will make the application process easier for travellers, simplifies the administrative procedure and increases the security of the Schengen area by, for example, reducing the risk of falsification and theft of the visa sticker,” said Swedish Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard.
However, before the adoption process can begin, the agreement still requires approval from the Member States of the EU.
Under the new system, with a few exceptions, Schengen visa applications will be made through a single website, which will enable applicants to enter their relevant data, upload electronic copies of travel and supporting documents, and pay the visa fee.
In-person visits to consulates will generally only be required for first-time applicants, individuals with new travel documents, and those with expired biometric data.
Additionally, the platform will automatically determine the membertate responsible for processing the application when an applicant intends to visit multiple Schengen countries based on the duration of their intended stay.
Applicants will still have the option to indicate if they prefer their application to be handled by a specific member state based on the purpose of travel.
“Digitalization is the future of EU visa policy. With the new fully digitalized system and digital visas, applicants will benefit from easier, cheaper, and faster EU visa procedures,” Matjaz Nemec, a Member of the European parliament, told SchengenVisa news.
This move toward digitalization marks a significant milestone in the modernization of the Schengen visa process, promising greater convenience, improved security, and more efficient visa application procedures for travelers to the European Union.
Read also: Moroccans Paid €3 Million for Denied Schengen Visa Applications in 2021
