People applying for visas to visit the Schengen area, which is demarcated to 27 European countries, will soon do so through an online platform, according to a change adopted by European Union foreign ministers last Monday.

The shift to digitalizing the visa process will also eliminate the need for applicants to obtain a sticker in their passport, meaning no more appointments at consulates or service provider offices.

The Schengen visa is valid for entry to: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland.

Spain’s acting Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said in a statement that the ability to apply for a Schengen visa online will simplify the application process while easing the burden on national governments. can respond faster and more efficiently.

Marlaska explained that the new procedure will “create a platform for visa applications for the EU” and that “with some exceptions” visa applications will be submitted through this platform.

The platform allows applicants to enter all relevant data, upload electronic copies of their travel documents and supporting documents and pay the associated fees.

For those making an initial application, only one face-to-face appearance is requiredbut also for people whose biometric data is no longer valid and for those who have new travel documents.

Another novelty is that the current visa sticker will be replaced by a cryptographically signed barcode.

When someone wants to visit several countries in the Schengen area, the platform automatically determines which of them is responsible for processing the application based on the duration of the stay.

The two visa regulations adopted today will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force 20 days after publication.

The The date of application of the new rules will be determined when the technical work on the visa platform and the digital visa is completed. (JO)