The Schengen visa is moving to an online format. The new rules were agreed by the Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Now there is no need to go to the consulate and submit documents, except for those who apply for the first time, or who want to obtain a “Schengen” with expired biometric data. True, these rules will come into force only after they have been approved by all the member states of the European Union. After their approval a special platform will be created, where it will be possible to apply for “schengen”, and at the same unified site one will be able to apply for a visa, which will be sent to the necessary visa systems. Here it will also be possible to upload electronic copies of documents, pay the visa fee and receive an answer to the request. There will be no need to meet in person with consular staff. Digitalization is designed to simplify the application for a visa and increase the security of the Schengen area (reduces the risk of falsification and theft of the visa sticker).
If the applicant is going to travel to several countries in the Schengen area, the platform will itself determine which country will be the main and which will review the application, but the applicant retains the right to choose the country that will review the submitted package of documents.