EU Has Agreed To Make The Schengen Visa Process Digital. Here’s The Difference It’ll Make

The new law has not been adopted formally. However, once that happens, it will allow most people wanting to visit the EU to apply for their visa online, rather than visiting the consulate or visa offices.

According to a statement issued by the EU, the goal of the proposal is to make the application process efficient and to improve the security of the Schengen area.

All you need to know about the Schengen visa application being digital

After the rules are in place, the EU would create a visa application platform. Other than a few exceptions, applications for all Schengen visas will be submitted on this website, which would then be sent to the respective national visa systems based on the countries they have been applied for.

Applicants for the Schengen visa would be able to upload all their documents and add relevant data, including supporting travel documents, identification and other details, and pay the visa fees. Further, the platform would also notify them of their application status and final decision on their visa.

The statement adds that only those applying for the Schengen visa for the first time or whose biometric data has expired as well as people with a new travel document would have to visit the visa centres or consulates in person. Further, in case one is travelling to more than one Schengen nation, the platform will automatically determine the country where they have to get their visa approved, based on the duration of stay. However, applicants can also mention where they want their application to be processed, based on the purpose of travel. The visa itself will be digital and would be issued as a 2D barcode that is cryptographically signed.