Schengen visa: EU Council gives nod to online application

The EU Council adopted new regulations recently that will allow and enable visitors who plan to travel to the Schengen area (comprising 27 European countries) to apply online for a visa.  

In a press statement, Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, acting Spanish Minister for the Interior, said: “The possibility of applying for a Schengen visa online will be a great improvement for citizens and for the processing of the application.

“It will simplify the application process for travellers and, at the same time, will ease the burden on national administrations, which will be able to respond more quickly and effectively.”

New regulations enabling the digital Schengen visa

The two regulations adopted by the EU Council will see an EU visa application platform being set up.

Barring a few cases, applications for Schengen visas will be made through this platform.

Visa applicants will be able to enter all the required data online, upload electronic copies of their travel and other documents, and pay their visa fees.

The new online visa process will do away with the need for in-person appearances at the consulate.

In-person appearances will only be required for first-time applicants, travellers whose biometric data is no longer valid, and people who have new travel documents.

The new system will also replace the current visa sticker with a cryptographically signed barcode.