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    Online Schengen visa application may soon be available for UAE residents

    Life

    by Ruman Baig
    51 mins ago

    The European Union has approved groundbreaking changes to the Schengen Visa process, ushering in a new era of convenience for travellers.
    Soon, applicants will experience a seamless online application system, eliminating the need for consulate visits and the hassle of visa stickers on passports.
    Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, emphasized the simplified process, highlighting that the digital shift aims to benefit both travelers and national administrations.
    The future EU visa application platform promises a user-friendly interface where applicants can effortlessly input details, upload digital documents, and complete fee payments.

    Notably, the era of in-person consulate visits will fade away, with exceptions limited to first-time applicants, individuals with outdated biometric data, and those holding new travel documents.
    Furthermore, the traditional visa stickers will be replaced by a secure digital format using a 2D barcode with cryptographic signatures, a move aimed at minimizing security risks associated with counterfeit and stolen stickers.
    While the effective date awaits publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, these transformative changes signify a significant leap forward in streamlining the Schengen Visa process.
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    Feature Image: Instagram @sarashakeel More