Applying for visas to visit the Schengen area in Europe is changing. The EU foreign ministers approved a transformation, set to start three weeks after being published in the EU’s administrative gazette. This area includes 23 EU countries and neighboring ones like Switzerland and Norway.
Spain’s Interior Minister highlighted the upcoming online visa system, making the application process easier. Travelers will submit documents and fees through a dedicated online platform, receiving a barcode upon approval. Some may still need in-person appointments, like first-time applicants or those with new passports.
Countries like Australia already have similar online visa systems. While citizens from over 60 countries typically don’t need Schengen visas, they’ll soon apply online under the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), similar to the US ESTA system.
All visitors, regardless of visa type, will go through the automated EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which records details, biometric data, and monitors entry and exit dates, but its implementation has faced delays.
