The European Commission plans to digitize the process of obtaining Schengen visas. Applicants will be able to apply online, and by reducing the burden on consular services, the fees for issuing a document will also be reduced.
Representatives of the EC said that the transition to an online platform where citizens’ requests will be processed will not occur before 2025. It is noted that many tourists are forced to face certain difficulties when sending papers for consideration to the consulates: they often have to overcome significant distances to the nearest visa center, which, as a rule, requires additional time.
“50% of Schengen visa holders find it rather burdensome to obtain. It is time for the EU to provide a fast, secure, web-based EU visa application platform for citizens of the 102 countries who require permission to enter the EU,” said EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson.
Thanks to digitalization, the very procedure for obtaining a visa will become much simpler and safer: payment will be made through a single online system, in addition, if you visit several countries in one trip, the service will independently determine which country’s visa you need to apply for. Also, the portal will contain all the relevant information on the required documents for a short visit to a particular territory of the Schengen area.
However, first-time visa applicants who have received a new passport, or those whose biometric information is already outdated (they are stored in the database for an average of 5 years), will still have to personally apply for an entry document.