EU Commission proposes digital Schengen visa application portal
The European Commission proposed the digitalization of the Schengen visa. This would streamline the application process that currently requires you to visit an embassy/consulate in person.
There are currently several online application portals for Schengen visas that each country has. The Commission is proposing an integrated system that will be implemented over the next few years.
The new proposal would see the national online visa portals gradually disappear. A unified system would allow applications to be processed in one location, much like the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS visa waiver).
This move will reduce visa shopping, whereby travelers submit visa applications for Schengen countries that may have quicker visa processing times than their destination country. It also sets out to greatly simplify the process and speed it up.
The history of the Schengen visa digitization process
In 2018, the EU Commission proposed changing the Visa Code to digitalize the Schengen visa. They emphasized that digital visas are the best way forward, with individual Schengen countries implementing electronic portals.
Margaritis Schinas, said that it was vital for the EU to move towards digitalization and harmonize practices between member states.
The idea of an online Schengen visa application portal was established when the Visa Code was updated in 2019. This portal would make use of all technological and legal developments.
Member States are calling for the digitalization of the Schengen visa in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, visa processing operations suffered greatly due to the inability to receive applicants at consulates and embassies in person.
When will the Schengen visa go digital?
In September 2020, the EU introduced a new deal on migration. This would accelerate the digitization of the Schengen Visa. The goal was to fully digitize visa application procedures by 2025.
The new e-portal may see the light as early as 2025 if negotiations between legislators and stakeholders go well. It will then be operational in 2026.
The transition period for Schengen visas would be five years. There would be a 5-year period for member states to conform and switch to the new digitalized system.
How does the online Schengen visa application process work?
The Visa Information System will include the digitized Schengen Visa platform. Recently, the system was upgraded with the most cutting-edge security and data protection technology.
The eu-LISA will build the portal. The Commission will ensure that the platform’s visa information is current.
The system enables eligible travelers to:
- Find out if they require a visa or if they are required to submit an ETIAS application
- Register for a secure account to fill out an online application
- All documents must be uploaded in digital format
- Use a debit or credit card to pay the Schengen visa fees
- Get email notifications and check the status of your application
- Once your visa has been approved, you can access the visa online
- Apply for and renew your Schengen visa online
The portal allows travelers to submit a visa application for all 26 Schengen Area countries.
The platform will not serve Schengen-affiliated nations such as Croatia and Bulgaria. These countries do not currently implement the Schengen acquis fully and don’t issue Schengen visas.
What’s the difference between ETIAS and the Schengen visa?
The significant difference between the Schengen visa digital portal and ETIAS is that the latter can be used by visa-exempt travelers to travel to European countries within the Schengen Area. ETIAS does not provide visas. ETIAS consists of an online application portal for citizens that do not require visas (among them, US citizens, UK citizens, Australian citizens, and dozens more).
These platforms share some commonalities:
- To facilitate travel to Schengen Countries and to strengthen its security
- Lower security risks from physical documents (including fraud and theft).
- Apply online without the need to travel to an embassy or consulate to make a request
According to Ylva Johansson (Commissioner for Home Affairs), “Half of EU visitors with Schengen visas find the visa application burdensome. One-third must travel long distances to apply for a visa.”
Only first-time Schengen visa applicants who require biometric identifiers to be granted would be able to apply online. This applies to applicants with biometric data, not in the public domain or with a new travel document.