The European Union (EU) is moving ahead on the plan to introduce a digital Schengen visa, saving time for travellers and improving security.

The ambassadors of EU member states agreed to the council’s negotiating mandate for a proposal to digitalise the visa procedure, the European Council said in a recent statement. 

The proposal introduces the possibility of applying for a visa online, which replaces the current visa sticker.

Online applications will cut the number of trips to the consulate for travellers and make the process smoother for national administrations. At the same time, the digital visa will end the risk of falsification and theft of the visa sticker.

“The proposed new rules will create a visa application platform,” said Swedish Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard.

All applications for Schengen visas will be made through a single platform (website), which will forward them to the relevant national visa systems. 

“On this platform, visa applicants will be able to introduce all relevant data, upload electronic copies of their travel and supporting documents, and pay their visa fees. They will also be notified of the decisions concerning their visa,” she said. 

In-person appearance at the consulate will be a must for first-time applicants, persons whose biometric data are no longer valid and those with a new travel document.

Under the proposed new rules, visas will be issued in digital format, as a 2D barcode, cryptographically signed, thus reducing security risks related to counterfeit and stolen visa stickers.

In February, the Members of the European Parliament approved a proposal to digitalise visa procedures in the Schengen area to speed up the processing of travel entry permits and promote security. 

A total of 34 MEPs voted in favour of the proposal, while five members opposed, and 20 others abstained. The proposal seeks to lower the costs and “efforts” required to make a visa application. 

More than 8.8 million Schengen visa applications were submitted by travellers around the world in 2021, according to data published by digital platform SchengenVisaInfo.

Currently, there are 27 Schengen countries – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

(Editing by Seban Scaria seban.scaria@lseg.com)