EU Parliament and Council Approve Fully Online Schengen Visa Application Process

The European Union Council and the Parliament have agreed to rules for digitalising the Schengen visa procedure.

SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that the new regulation regarding the digitalisation will revolutionise how people apply for this document. It will introduce an online application system, and replace the current and traditional visa sticker with a virtual visa.

The Council claims that the primary objective of the proposal is to streamline and improve the visa application process. By introducing new rules the EU authorities want to also strengthen security in the Schengen Area.

"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," Swedish Minister for Migration, Maria Malmer Stenergard stated.

The agreement must still be approved by all EU member states before the adoption can begin. If the platform is successful, it will create a new Schengen Visa Application Platform.

Schengen visas will, with some exceptions be applied for through a single platform. This website will then direct applicants to their respective visa systems.

All Schengen visa applications will be able to upload their travel documents and electronic copies, pay for the visa, and enter all relevant information on this platform.

The same website will also notify applicants of their visa decision.

It has been made clear that only first-time applicants with new travel documents and those with expired biometric information will be required to appear in person at the consulate.

The platform also explains that if a visitor intends to travel to multiple Schengen-member countries, the system will automatically select the member state that is responsible for reviewing the application, based on how long the applicant plans to stay.

The applicant will have the option to specify if they want their application to be processed in a certain Member State based on the purpose of the travel.

"Digitalisation is the future of EU visa policy. With the new fully digitalised system and digital visas, applicants will benefit from easier, cheaper and faster EU visa procedures," rapporteur Matjaz Nemec mentioned.

According to the new proposed rules, digital Schengen Visas will be issued as a 2D Barcode that is cryptographically-signed. This new format aims to reduce risks associated with counterfeit and stolen visa stickers.

Source: schengenvisainfo.com