In a significant move towards modernizing travel procedures, the Council of the European Union has given the green light to digitalize the Schengen visa application process.
The approval of the digitalization of Schengen visa procedures means that those who need a visa to enter the Schengen Area will soon be able to apply for the document online without having to visit a consulate or wait for a long period of time to receive an answer on their application.
Underscoring the significant impact of this decision, the Spanish Minister for the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, said that the introduction of online Schengen visa applications would be a game changer.
He said that the online visa application process will have a positive impact on citizens and administrations and, at the same time, stressed that the online application system is expected to accelerate the entire process.
The possibility of applying for a Schengen visa online will be a great improvement for citizens and for the processing of the application. It will simplify the application process for travellers and, at the same time, will ease the burden on national administrations, which will be able to respond more quickly and effectively.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, acting Spanish Minister for the Interior
According to the Council, the main development is the creation of a single visa application platform, where, with a few exceptions, Schengen visa applications will be processed.
On this user-friendly platform, applicants will be able to input relevant information, upload electronic copies of their travel documents and supporting materials, and conveniently pay the visa fee.
Through the same platform, applicants will also be able to receive notifications on their visa decision.
Moreover, the platform will automatically decide which country will process applications of those planning to visit multiple Schengen countries. However, applicants will still be able to indicate if they wish for a certain country to process their application.
Additionally, under the new rules, physical appearances at consulates will become largely unnecessary, except for first-time applicants, those with expired biometric data, and those with a new travel document.
This reduction in in-person requirements is a significant step toward a more accessible and applicant-friendly process.
The new regulations announced by the Council also bring a technological upgrade, replacing the current visa sticker with a cryptographically signed barcode. This feature aligns with modern technological standards, and it ensures a higher level of protection for visa documentation and lowers the possibility of forging visas.
While the EU did not reveal when online Schengen visa application will officially be possible, the authorities said that the new rules will start applying as soon as the work on the visa platform and the digital visa has been completed.
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