On 13 November 2023, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted rules to digitalise visa procedures.1 (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2023-125, 21 June 2023.) This means, among other things, that a single EU visa application platform will be created and in-person appearance at a consulate will be necessary only for first-time applicants.
The two regulations containing new rules about the digitalisation of visa procedures will enter into force on the 20th day after publication of the regulations in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The date of publication of the new rules will be decided when technical work on the visa platform and the digital visa have been concluded.