EU Council Approves Mandate For Digital Schengen Visa

The Council's proposal to digitise the visa application process has gained the support of all EU member states' ambassadors.

The EU is embracing the digital age with open arms as the new rule will replace the current visa sticker with a technologically advanced digital visa, aimed at enhancing security and efficiency.

#COREPERII | The EU Ambassadors approved a negotiating mandate for the proposal to digitalise the application procedure for Schengen visas. This will make the Schengen area safer while facilitating legitimate travel, such as tourism and business. pic.twitter.com/KXiGPoTv2O
— Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU (@sweden2023eu) March 29, 2023

“A digital Schengen visa will make it easier for legitimate travellers to apply and will at the same time help make the Schengen area safer. Online applications will reduce the number of trips to the consulate for travellers and make the process smoother for national administrations.”
Sweden’s Minister for Migration, Maria Malmer Stenergarz

Currently, all Schengen visa applicants are required to attend an interview and submit several documents, depending on the type of visa they are applying for.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic considerably slowed down visa operations, creating the need for digital procedures to avoid in-person contact.

How It Will Change

According to the European Council statement, the proposed regulations introduce a revolutionary visa application platform. All Schengen visa applicants can now submit their applications through one unified portal, which then forwards them to the relevant national visa systems, paving the way for a hassle-free process.

On the visa platforms, applicants will be able to upload electronic copies of their travel and all supporting documents and pay their visa fees. They will also be notified of the decision concerning their visas.

Features of the digitised Schengen visa

Besides the digitisation of visas, it will also put an end to the risk of falsification and theft of visa stickers.
The in-person appearance will be required for first-time applicants, applicants whose biometric data is invalid, and those with a new travel document.

The digitally signed visas will include a 2D barcode to verify their authenticity.

Having agreed upon the negotiating mandate, the Council will commence dialogues with the European Parliament to hash out the final details.

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