The EU will digitize the Schengen visa procedure

BRUSSELS, 30 March 2023 (WAM) - Ambassadors of EU member states agreed on Wednesday on the Council's negotiating mandate for a proposal to digitize the visa process.

The proposal introduces the possibility to apply for a visa online and replaces the current visa stamp with a digital visa. It aims to make the visa application process more efficient and to improve security in the Schengen area.

Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden's Minister of Migration, said: "A digital Schengen visa will make it easier for legitimate travelers 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 travelers and make the process smoother for national administrations. At the same time, the digital visa will put an end to the risk of forgery and theft of the visa stamp."

She added that the proposed new rules will create a visa application platform. All Schengen visa applications will be made through this platform, a single website, which forwards them to the relevant national visa systems.

On this platform, visa applicants will be able to enter all relevant data, upload electronic copies of their travel and supporting documents and pay their visa fees. They will also be notified of the decisions on their visas.

Personal appearance at the consulate will only be necessary for first-time applicants, people whose biometric data is no longer valid and those with a new travel document.

When a person intends to visit several Schengen countries, the platform will automatically determine which of them is responsible for reviewing the application based on the length of stay. However, the applicant will also have the opportunity to indicate whether the application needs to be processed by a specific member state depending on the purpose of the trip.

Under the proposed new rules, visas will be issued in digital format, as a 2D barcode, cryptographically signed. This will reduce security risks related to counterfeit and stolen visa stickers.


https://nord.news/2023/03/30/the-eu-will-digitize-the-schengen-visa-procedure/?feed_id=20838

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