When will the Schengen visa be digitized

The European Union (EU) has taken another step towards digitizing the Schengen visa instead of printing it on passports. The ambassadors of the countries of the European Council agreed on the powers necessary for negotiations on the digitization of the visa. Thus, the Council will be able to start negotiations on the final legal text with the European Parliament on the implementation of the digital visa.

A proposal submitted by the European Commission in April 2022 calls for the digitization of Schengen visas instead of printing them in passports.

If the proposal is legalized, Schengen visa applications will also be submitted digitally online. To do this, an “application platform” will be created. All documents can be downloaded digitally and visa fees will be paid through this site.

Consulates or Visa Application Centers will only be contacted by first-time applicants, those about to update their biometric information, and new passport holders.

Visas will be issued to the applicant in digital format in the form of a 2D barcode and signed in encrypted form.