The European Commission has revealed plans to digitalise the Schengen visa application process, the European Union hopes to make it easier for non-EU nationals to apply for a visa online and travel to countries within the EU.
Currently, certain non-EU nationals have to go to a consulate to submit an application and then get a sticker on their passport, but the EU has long been committed to the project of adopting digital visas, on the basis that they are less vulnerable to forgery.
The new visa application platform would contain up-to-date information about visa requirements, and allow applicants to create an account, fill out an application form, upload their documents and pay for the visa. Applicants would be able to log back in to check the status of their applications and receive updates. It would also be possible to extend the visa, if necessary, online.
However, first-time applicants, people with new travel documents, and previous applicants whose biometric data has expired would still be required to apply in person at their local consulate to submit new biometric identifiers.
The new system, which would provisionally come into effect in 2026, still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and Council. Once passed, online applications would be possible for Schengen visas for all countries in the border-free zone, which includes most EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
The digital Schengen visa application will be available to all visa-required foreign citizens who wish to travel to any country in the Schengen Area. Visa-free citizens will instead be expected to submit an ETIAS (European Travel Information System) registration.
“It is high time that the EU provides a quick, safe and web-based EU visa application platform for the citizens of the 102 third countries that require short term visa to travel to the EU”, said Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. It is expected that all of the countries in the EU27 will adopt the platform, with the exception of Ireland.
Countries that have not do not yet apply the Schengen aquis, such as Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Cyprus are not expected to be included. This is because they do not yet issue Schengen visas, nor do they have access to the Visa Information System (VIS).
