Digital visas in Schengen. It will be safer and faster
6:33 AM EDT, October 19, 2023
On Wednesday, October 18, the European Parliament expressed its support for new regulations regarding the digitalization of Schengen visas. The purpose of these changes is to increase visa security, but also to facilitate their attainment.
After reaching an agreement with the Council in June, The European Parliament has approved digital visa procedures for the Schengen free movement area. This decision was made by a decisive majority of votes: 573 in favor, 36 against and 16 abstentions on the issue of digitizing the visa procedure. In addition, 548 votes supported the regulation concerning visa stickers, with 37 votes against and 9 abstentions.
Digital visas in Schengen
The digitization of the visa application process is expected to bring many benefits. On the one hand, it aims to reduce the costs and effort associated with the application process. On the other hand, it is meant to ensure uniform practices throughout Europe and improve security. Visa applications will be processed on a single online platform, which will also inform applicants about which country will receive their application, if they plan to travel to multiple countries. The new visas, which will be cryptographically signed, will also be safer and harder to forge.
During negotiations with the Council, the deputies ensured that the new system will be available to everyone, regardless of language skills, disability, or poor internet coverage.
After the launch of the Visa Information System (VIS) and other databases in the field of justice and internal affairs, part of the visa procedure in the EU has been digitized. Nevertheless, visa applications and stickers issued to applicants whose applications have been positively considered, remain in analog form. The latest revision of the EU visa code clearly provides for the possibility of electronically signing applications, paving the way for a fully digitized visa application procedure.
Reporter Matjaz Nemec (S&D) stated during the debate preceding the vote: "Europe currently lags behind other countries in terms of digital visa procedures. Thanks to this reform, we will catch up, and the whole process will become cheaper and easier for applicants. It will also make it harder to abuse the system, making the process safer. A uniform European Union visa on a unified platform will be part of building Europe as a unified geographical entity".
After formal adoption by the Council, the regulations should be published in the Official Journal of the EU. According to the procedure, they will enter into force on the twentieth day after publication.
