Getting a Schengen Visa from Your Home Could Become Reality Soon

It will only take a few years before you can apply for a Schengen Visa from your own home.

The European Union has already begun its efforts towards digitalizing the Schengen visa application processes.

Recent action by the EU Parliament Members, who sit on the Civil Liberties Committee, was to adopt a report about the digitalization of the visa procedure and authorize the opening of interinstitutional discussions with the Council of the EU to reach an agreement on the final form of the law.

SchengenVisaInfo.com reports that the EU believes that making it easy for travelers to obtain a Schengen visa online will make it more convenient and cost-effective for them.

"Visa applications would be processed on a single online platform that would also tell applicants which country will receive their application (in the case of multi-country trips). The new system is also designed to work harmoniously with the EU's ecosystem of border management systems and databases," the MEPs claim in a statement.

During the debate on the report, MEPs insisted that the digital Visa system must be inclusive by providing more language options and protections for those with disabilities and people lacking digital literacy.

They also pointed out that the EU must ensure that it does not reject applications if they are submitted through the same IP addresses. This is common in regions with poor internet connectivity.

What does the Digitalization of Schengen Visa Procedures Look Like?

The first and most important aspect of the Schengen visa application process is digitalization. This means that travelers will no longer need to visit an embassy, visa center, or consulate to submit required documents and to fill out the application form.

Instead, they will need to visit the website of this system, which is still being developed, and complete the application form. The Schengen visa documents required documents will be uploaded, including a scanned passport, recent photo, travel insurance worth EUR30,000, and any other scanned documents.

"Each applicant should submit a completed application form using the EU application platform, including a declaration of the authenticity, completeness, correctness and reliability of the data submitted and a declaration of the veracity and reliability of the statements made," the Commission had mentioned in its proposal.

Applicants planning to visit more than one Schengen Area nation no longer need to calculate and wonder at the embassy which country they should apply. They simply need to fill out their application form and upload required documents. The platform will then decide which country to process the application.

However, travelers will need to appear at a biometrics collection centre when they first apply for a Visa. This will be for their photo and fingerprints. .

The system makes it easier for applicants to obtain a visa. If they do not complete their application correctly, the system will notify them so they can make corrections before their application is processed.

After the application has been processed, the applicant will be notified via email about the decision.

Lastly, the visa will not be given to travellers in the form a sticker. Instead, it will be issued digitally as a 2D barcode that has been cryptographically signed and signed by the Country Signing Certificate Authority of the Member state issuing it.

Is it more expensive to obtain a Schengen Visa this way?

According to the EU Commission the cost of a Schengen Visa will not change from now. It is currently EUR80. The reduced application fees for Schengen countries will be paid by nationals of those countries.

Since a large number of Schengen countries use intermediaries to process visa applications, this service will be no longer required once the platform is operational. Travellers won't be charged fees of more than EUR35.

The form in which visa fees are to be paid after digitalization of Schengen visa procedures will be used by the EU through a third-party portal linked to the online platform. Travellers will pay and payments will be transferred directly to the Member state that processed the application.

When will this happen?

The EU stated that the digitalization of Schengen visa procedures would take at most five years.

Considering the fact that several other systems have been delayed, it seems fair to say that the first digital visas will not be issued for more than five years.

What will it mean for travelers from visa-free countries?

Digitalization of Schengen visa applications will not affect third-country visa-free travelers from EU countries.

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It will cost travellers from more than 60 countries EUR7 to apply online. Online applications for ETIAS and Schengen visas will both be possible, but the process of obtaining an ETIAS is much faster and easier.

 

Source: schengenvisainfo.com