The European Commission has published several amendments to the set of rules for issuing visas. The adjustments should prepare the system for the Schengen digitalization process, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
It is already known that the new platform through which tourists will submit documents and receive digital visas will be called EU VAP. Moreover, its domain ends in Europe – eu, like all official websites of the European Union.
From the launch of the system, EU member states must join the issuance of digital visas within 7 years. The European Commission defined this period as a transition period to the new format. However, countries will have the right to completely abandon the innovation, leaving the already familiar scheme.
In addition, digital visas will contain a photograph of the holder, and stickers can be printed if necessary. As measures to protect the document from counterfeiting, a 2D barcode with a cryptographic signature of the authorized body of the country issuing a specific visa is assumed.
Payment for the procedure will occur through the EU VAP gateway. If the tourist does not have such an opportunity, the consulate or visa operator will collect the fee. The platform itself will determine which country will issue the visa based on the documents provided by the applicant.
Travelers will still have to report to the embassy in some cases. For example, when they first apply for a visa or when receiving a new passport.