On Wednesday 29 March, Member States approved the EU Council’s negotiating mandate with the European Parliament for a proposal to digitalise the visa issuing procedure. The proposal introduces the possibility of applying for a visa online and replaces the current visa sticker with a digital visa, while a paper application remains possible.
It aims to make the visa application process more efficient and to improve the security of the Schengen area, a statement said.
“The proposed new rules will create a visa application platform. All Schengen visa applications will be made through this platform, a single website, which will forward them to the relevant national visa systems”.
On this platform, “visa applicants will be able to enter all relevant data, upload electronic copies of their travel documents and supporting documents, and pay the visa fee. They will also be informed of decisions concerning their visa”.
Personal appearance at the consulate will only be necessary for first-time applicants, persons whose biometric data is no longer valid and those with a new travel document.
When a person intends to travel to several Schengen area countries, the platform will automatically determine which of them is responsible for examining the application depending on the length of stay, the statement added. However, the applicant will also have the possibility of indicating whether the application should be processed by a specific Member State depending on the purpose of the journey.
Requirements will also be strengthened against counterfeiting.
The European Parliament adopted its mandate on 31 January (see EUROPE 13111/16).
Link to the agreement: https://aeur.eu/f/63i (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)