Schengen Visa Digitization: Could It Lead to Altered Visa Requirements?
Digital Transformation of Schengen Visas: Streamlining the Application Process
The European Union (EU) is set to revolutionise the Schengen visa application process, with a full digital transition expected by 2030. This shift promises to make the process more efficient, secure, and user-friendly.
Starting in 2025-2026, applicants will be able to apply online through a single, unified EU platform. This portal will allow applicants to upload their required documents, pay fees, and track their application digitally. Physical paperwork submission to individual embassies will be a thing of the past.
Biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs, will be collected during the online application process when required. However, for first-time applicants or those who haven't submitted biometrics within the past 5 years, biometric submission will still need to be done in person for collection of fingerprints and facial recognition.
The traditional visa sticker pasted in passports will be replaced by a secure, digitally signed barcode linked to the applicant’s passport chip. This change aims to enhance security and reduce paperwork.
It's important to note that the digital Schengen visa system does not change visa eligibility criteria or required documents themselves. The core requirements to obtain a Schengen visa will remain the same. Among the required documents, a valid passport, among others, will be necessary. In the future, a digital copy of the passport can be submitted.
The digitalisation of Schengen visas will also aim to reduce visa fraud, improve transparency, shorten processing times, and facilitate border control with biometric e-gates. However, this does not mean that there will no longer be an in-person interview for Schengen visa applicants. In fact, with the digital transition, in-person interviews will no longer be required.
Applicants will no longer have to submit their physical passports for a Schengen visa application. Approved visas will not be inside passports but will be digital.
In summary, while the procedural aspects and user experience of obtaining a Schengen visa will improve considerably with digitalization, the official requirements for applying and biometric data submission remain largely unchanged. The focus is on modernization, efficiency, and security rather than altering visa eligibility or document requirements.
As always, it's advisable to check official sites like the European Union or the Embassy for the planned destination for the most recent and up-to-date entry requirements.
On the horizon of this digital transformation, the lifestyle of Schengen visa applicants will be dramatically altered, as they seamlessly apply and manage their applications online through a single EU platform from 2025-2026. In addition, the integration of technology, such as biometric data collection, will ensure a secure and streamlined process, making travel more accessible and less cumbersome.
