Schengen digital visa a step closer
EU member states’ ambassadors agreed on March 29 on the Council of the EU’s negotiating mandate for a proposal to digitalise the visa procedure, a statement by the Council of the EU said.
The proposal introduces the possibility to apply for a visa online and replaces the current visa sticker with a digital visa.
It aims to make the visa application procedure more efficient and to improve the security of the Schengen area, the statement said.
The proposed new rules will create a visa application platform.
All applications for Schengen visas will be made through this platform, a single website, which will forward them to the relevant national visa systems.
On this platform, visa applicants will be able to introduce 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 concerning their visa. In-person appearance at the consulate will only be necessary for first-time applicants, persons whose biometric data are no longer valid and those with a new travel document.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 one of them is responsible for examining the application on the basis of the duration of stay.
However, the applicant will also have the possibility to indicate whether the application needs to be processed by a specific member state according to the purpose of travel.
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, the statement said.
The European Commission submitted on April 27 2022 a legislative proposal aimed at digitalising the visa procedure.
On the basis of the negotiating mandate agreed on March 29, the Council of the EU presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament to agree on the final wording.
(Photo: VOA)
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