The EU has introduced significant updates to the Schengen visa system, enabling travellers to apply for visas online instead of visiting consulates before their trips to Europe.
The European Council has finally approved these anticipated changes, allowing individuals planning to visit the Schengen area to utilize an online platform for visa applications. The Schengen area comprises 27 European countries that have removed many internal border controls.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, acting Spanish minister for the interior, highlighted the benefits of the new system, stating that applying for a Schengen visa online will significantly enhance the process for both travellers and administration, simplifying procedures and facilitating faster responses.
The updated regulations include the establishment of an EU visa application platform, negating the necessity for in-person consulate visits, and replacing traditional visa stickers with digitally signed barcodes. Most Schengen visa applications will now occur through this centralized platform, allowing applicants to input relevant data, upload electronic copies of documents, and pay visa fees online.
Exceptions to in-person appearances will typically apply only to first-time applicants, individuals with expired biometric data, and those with new travel documents. The regulations will be officially published in the European Union’s Official Journal and come into effect twenty days thereafter. The implementation date will be determined upon the completion of technical work on the visa platform and digital visa.
