ALBAWABA - The European Union plans to implement a new strategy aimed at digitalizing printed Schengen visa applications and its relevant stickers by 2031.
The E.U. Parliament voted to adopt the resolution to digitalize visa procedures by 34 votes in favor, five against, and 20 abstentions.
This step aims to speed up the process of submitting a Schengen application, and reduce the efforts and costs required through a specified online platform that will be allocated for the operation.
It is expected that the electronic application system for a Schengen visa via the Internet will become partially available by 2025. But it will be fully available in all 26 countries that the Schengen holder is allowed to enter, by 2031.
Currently, the process of applying for a Schengen visa differs from one country to another, while the electronic system is supposed to standardize the process.
In addition, the applicant is subjected to many requirements, which the new paradigm shift is supposed to facilitate for him/her.
