The Commission is launching today a public consultation on the digitalisation of visa procedures, to make applications for visas to the EU much easier.
Citizens, organisations and local/national authorities are invited to take part in the consultation, to share their views in particular on the usefulness and interest for an online application process, as well as the replacement of the visa sticker with a digital visa. These extensive consultations will feed into the preparation of the Commission proposal due in the fourth quarter of 2021. The public consultation, which will be available in all official EU languages as well as Russian, Arabic, Chinese, and Turkish, will run for the period of 12 weeks, until 3 June 2021.
Background
The New Pact on Migration and Asylum sets the objective of making the visa procedure fully digitalised by 2025, with a digital visa and the ability to submit visa applications online.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which led to a shutdown of Schengen visa operations worldwide, prompted Member States to call upon the Commission to speed up work on digitalisation of visa procedures. This initiative fits with the general EU approach to encourage the modernisation and digitisation of public services. Digital procedures should reduce costs and resources for visa applicants and Member States in the management of applications while enhancing the security of the Schengen area.
More information
Details
- Publication date
- 11 March 2021