The date(s) for negotiations about finalising new legislation for the digitalisation of the visa process between the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament has not been set. It is therefore not possible to say when approval of the legislation and the implementation of the digital visa process may take place. Some countries are forging ahead: for example, Spain just approved a change to its law providing for the possibility of electronic applications for visas.3
The EU has launched Europe’s Digital Decade 2020-2030,4 a project aimed at realising the digital transformation of the EU that includes digitalisation of public services.
In the field of immigration, the EU has introduced a digital system for pre-approval of passengers travelling to the EU from visa exempted non-EU countries called “ETIAS.” ETIAS will apply from 2024. (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2023-119, 24 January 2023.) The EU has also introduced e-gates that will automatically record border crossing into and out of the EU called the “EES system.” EES is expected to be operational later in 2023. (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2023-119, 24 January 2023.) Therefore, it seems it is a natural progression to digitalise the application process for visas.
Even though it cannot be foreseen when the application system for visas will be digitalised, employers should be aware of and keep an eye on the progress of digital transformation in the EU. Digitalisation of different procedures is expected to diminish administrative burdens, but also it could inevitably increase requirements for accuracy and timeliness of information and documents submitted to the authorities. Digitalisation is expected to allow the relevant authorities to perform checks and assessments more efficiently than is the case today with paper-based processes.