In a proposal released by the European Union Commission, the Commission wants the EU counties to get the Schengen visa process digitalized, the visa stickers replaced, and the possibility of submitting visa applications online via the EU online visa system introduced. With the introduction of this new digital process, now getting your Schengen visa will be easier and more efficient.
Plans To Fully Digitise The Procedure
By 2025, the New Pact on Migration and Asylum sets the objective of fully digitizing visa procedures, reducing the burden on the Member States and applicants, and improving security. The commission believes that with digitalisation, the risk of theft, fraud and falsifications, which can happen due to physical visa stickers. Through digitisation, people can apply for a visa online and pay through a single EU platform.
No Need To Go To Consulates
The application once received, will be examined to know which country it falls under and also total information related to Schengen short-stay visa will be provided. Since all the procedures will be conducted online that applicants will not have to go to a consulate. The people who are first time applicants or the ones whose biometric data is no longer valid will have to visit the consulate.
Important To Ensure Smoother And Safer Applications
Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life both applauded this proposal. It is important to ensure a smooth and safe visa application is what Margaritis said. The proposal on digitalisation of the Schengen visa process by the Commission will now be discussed by the Parliament and Council. Later, within 5 years a time period, the EU member states have to switch to the online process.
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