A proposal has come from the EU Commission to digitize the process of applying for a Schengen Visa. The new recommendations include replacing the visa sticker and the possibility of online submission of applications for visas via the EU online visa platform.
There’s a new pact on migration and asylum drawn up between the EU countries. The objective is to fully digitize visa procedures before 2025. The aim is to improve the visa process by bringing down the costs involved. It’s also intended to decrease the burden on the EU member states and applicants along with improving the security in the Schengen area.
There’s an effort made to harmonize as well as unify visa application procedures within the Schengen area. When these efforts take effect, the practice of many applying for a Schengen visa while the original intent is to immigrate to a particular country.
With digitization, you can do the following regardless of the Schengen country you are intending to visit:
- Apply for a Schengen visa online
- Pay the fee for a visa via a single EU platform
With the new system, the sooner the visa application is received, the platform will figure out which country has the task of examining the visa application. Besides this, the platform will also give you updated information on the short-stay visas in the Schengen area. Information on all the necessary factors including procedures and requirements for visa application and processing.
Digitizing the visa process will also save the need for applicants to go to the consulates once all the visa procedures are carried out online. Now, visiting the consulate will only be necessary for first-time applicants who need to collect their biometric data.
Besides the increased ease of the process, the new system will include state-of-the-art security features. The advantages include:
- A safer visa imprint system than the conventional sticker
- Assurance of safeguarding fundamental rights of the applicants at all times
Ylva Johansson, the Commissioner for Home Affairs has welcomed the proposal for the new system. Also applauding the new initiative was Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life.
A discussion on the proposal for digitization of the Schengen visa process presented by the Commission is due in the Council and Parliament. A 5-year period is given for the EU Member States to transition to the online visa platform.
If you are willing to migrate to Europe, talk to Y-Axis, the leading immigration and career consultant in the UAE.
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