Digitization of Schengen Visa

April 4, 2023

The European Union member states’ ambassadors have approved a new proposal that aims to digitise the visa application process. This move will replace the current ‘Schengen’ sticker with a digital barcode to streamline the process and reduce visa processing delays among the 27 European nations that comprise the Schengen area.

Digital Barcodes and Enhanced Safety

The new visa will come in the form of cryptographically-signed 2D barcode. The move aims to reduce counterfeiting and fraud by replacing the current stickers. A digital Schengen visa will make it easier for legitimate travellers to apply and will at the same time help make the Schengen area safer.

Automatic Identification and Communication

The digital platform will automatically identify the country responsible for examining the application. Applicants can also indicate if the application needs to be processed by a specific member state. The decision regarding visa approval will also be communicated on the platform itself, simplifying the process and reducing visa processing delays.

Availability of Visa through the Digital Platform

The new digital platform will provide applicants with the availability of visa after they upload their data and soft copies of their travel documents and pay the visa fees. This will simplify the visa application process and reduce visa processing delays. However, first-time applicants and travellers whose biometric data is no longer valid will need to appear in front of the consulate in person.

Visa Processing Delays and Growing Demand for Travelling Abroad

Schengen visa processing delays have resulted in a significant rise in pending applications from Indian tourists. Several travel operators have blamed visa-processing companies for the delay. Other companies have stated that European embassies have failed to anticipate the growing demand for travelling abroad. The new digitisation of visa application procedure in the EU aims to address this issue.

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