European Union introduces Digital Schengen Visa to replace stamping on passports.
Travellers from Non-EU countries who are permitted to enter the Schengen Area visa-free or with a short-term visa will soon no longer have their passports stamped as information on the entry and exit to Schengen Area will be automatically recorded through a new automated system known as the Entry/Exit System. The system digitalizes the application process.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new automated system which is expected to launch later this year fully. The system will be used to keep track of Non-EU travellers from around the world who enter the EU and also detect over-stayers, said SchengenVisaInfo.com .
“EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time-consuming, and does not provide reliable data on border crossings and also not allow a systematic detection of over-stayers.
It has been revealed that the system will record specific data on travellers, including their name, fingerprints, facial image, travel document type, date and place of entry, date and place of exit, as well as their stay period in the Schengen Area.
As soon as the Entry/Exit System becomes fully operational, travellers who can enter the Schengen Area visa-free will be required to obtain a travel authorisation online – the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
ETIAS is a completely electronic system that will be used to keep track of visitors who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area. The ETIAS will cost €7 per person and will remain valid for three years at first. Around 1.4 billion people who can currently enter the Schengen Area visa-free will have to apply for an ETIAS.
Apart from planning to launch the Entry/Exit System this year, the EU authorities have revealed that they also plan on making changes to the visa application process and fully introduce Digital Schengen visa.
The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) just recently approved a report to make the Schengen visa application procedures completely online. The adopted report seeks to modernise Schengen visa application procedures by moving to a digital system from physical application and visa stickers or stamps. This will help to speed up the processing of travel entry permits and promote security.
The proposed changes will further simplify the Schengen visa process and ensure delivery of a modern, user-friendly digital solution for EU visa applications, along with simplified application procedures.
The EU Parliament stressed that as soon as such a plan is approved, visa applications will be processed in a single platform and at the same time noted that this will let applicants know which country will receive their application.
Launch Date
The new automated Entry/Exit System (EES) which will usher in Digital Schengen visa, is due to launch in November 2023 .It will register non-EU visitors digitally, removing the need for physical stamps.
NB: Passport stamps are still required until the EES launches in November 2023.
