The Federal Council in Switzerland has announced that it will be initiating a series of consultations on the digitalization plans for Schengen visas.
This move comes at a time when the relevant authorities of Switzerland decided to join hands with the European Union and digitize the application process for visas.
The digitization was mainly applicable to short-stay visas for various countries throughout the Schengen Area.
On this note, a meeting was held on the 8th of December where the Federal Council talked about a legislative proposal.
As per this proposal, Switzerland would be able to adapt to the regulation of the EU that was implemented on the 12th of November, 2023.
The regulation
According to the regulation of the EU, Schengen visa applications can now be easily submitted through an electronic platform of the union.
As of now, the platform has not yet been developed but is currently in the design stage and should be available soon.
The new system is likely to replace the traditional paper stickers with digitized visas. Consequently, travelers will not be required to go to the embassy or the consulate.
On this note, the government of Switzerland took to giving a speech, expressing pride at the digitalization of the Schengen visa applications.
It went on to add that all such applications would have to be submitted on a European platform.
Moreover, it stated that as a Schengen State, the country would be joining this modernization and making changes in its national law.
Swiss government
In the words of the government of Switzerland, the country will have to alter its national laws for international visitors.
This is crucial if it wants to implement the digitalization of the Schengen visa and will, thus, have to focus on the Law on Foreigners and Integration specifically.
It was revealed that several key modifications of the relevant law will include provisions related to the new platform of the EU.
Other changes will involve the content of the national visa system and the division of responsibilities between third parties for various tasks.
These tasks would include verifying the travel documents of all visitors, whether they are from within the EU or outside.
Timeline
As per the tentative timeline, the government of Switzerland is hoping to carry on with public consultations on its legislative project until the 22nd of March, 2024.
Meanwhile, the European platform is predicted to become operational in the first month of 2026.
In addition, the country is hoping to successfully integrate the platform into its system by the year 2028 at the earliest.
Along with the shift in the Schengen visa application process, the Federal Council has given its approval for the changes to the format followed by visas.
The dual-format approach will remain consistent for visas that are available at the moment in the form of paper stickers and a digital one with a barcode.
This modification has been outlined in the Ordinance on Entry and Granting of Visas. It applies to short-stay visas in the Schengen area, as well as national visas.
