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ARTICLE · 10 MAY 2022

EU Moves Toward Digitalizing Schengen Visas

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On April 27, 2022, the European Commission – the executive arm of the European Union – proposed the digitalization of the Schengen visa process.

European UnionImmigration
Paul Justas Sarauskas
Paul Justas Sarauskas
John B. Corgan
John B. Corgan
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On April 27, 2022, the European Commission - the executive arm of the European Union - proposed the digitalization of the Schengen visa process. If implemented, the proposal would enable an online visa application platform and replace visa stickers in passports with a secure electronic status. Applicants may still need to visit consular posts to submit biometric data, such as fingerprints. Under the Commission's proposal, Schengen Area member countries would have five years from the date of implementation to switch to the digitalized visa platform.

Background: Schengen Visas

The Schengen Area is a free movement zone comprised of twenty-six European countries that have agreed to function as a single jurisdiction for purposes of passport and border controls. The area covers more than 400 million EU citizens and includes all EU member states except Ireland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania. Non-EU member states - namely Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and

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