European Council Approves Online Schengen Visa Application Process, Scraps In-person Appearance at Consulate

The European Council, on Tuesday, approved the proposed regulations for digitizing Schengen visa processes in order to ensure hassle-free services to travelers. The new rules are intended to make the system more efficient as it streamlines the process and reduces forgery and theft.

The new regulations propose a single platform or website for online visa processing, which would allow travelers to upload their credentials and pay fees. Only first-time applicants, applicants whose biometrics are expired, and applicants with new travel documents are required to appear for an interview at the consulate according to the new rules. The decision of visa approval will also be informed digitally.

The website will be able to detect the country that is intended to be responsible for examining the process, based on the duration of the stay. Moreover, travelers can choose a particular member state for processing.

Moreover, the new digital visa will provide a 2D barcode with a cryptographic signature to prevent forgery and duplication. In short, the new digital visa facilitates hassle-free visa processing, avoiding multiple consulate visits. A Schengen visa facilitates entry to 23 European Union nations devoid of internal border controls.