Recently, there has been an important development regarding the Schengen visa, which has been on the agenda since it was not given to the Turks. The European Union announced in a statement that it is preparing to make significant changes in the visa issuance process.
According to the statement shared by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council have reached a consensus on the Schengen visa. The agreement will enable the digitization of visa applications.
Visa applications will be made online, visas will be given as barcodes.
The agreed rules aim to modernize and simplify the visa issuance process for non-EU countries by enabling the digitization of the Schengen visa. The current system relies on paperwork creating additional costs for both citizens and governments; With innovations, this situation is wanted to be reduced.
According to the statement, when the new law comes into force, Schengen visa applications can be made online. Applications will be able to make these applications through a platform of a European Union.
On the application platform, users will be able to apply through a secure account by uploading the required documents and paying the fee. In addition, the platform will also have a chatbot that can answer questions. Only first-time applicants, those whose biometric data are not valid, and those with new travel documents will need to physically go to the consulates.
On the other hand, there will be a significant change in the visa stickers affixed to the passports. Visa labels will be replaced by digital Schengen visas consisting of encrypted 2D barcodes. This will also apply to long-stay visas.
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