Regulation (EU) 2023/2667

What it is

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Matjaž NEMEC (S&D, SL) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EC) No 810/2009 and (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1683/95, (EC) No 333/2002, (EC) No 693/2003 and (EC) No 694/2003 and Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement, as regards the digitalisation of the visa procedure. The aim of the proposed Regulation is to digitalise the Schengen visa process, replacing the visa sticker, and introducing the possibility to submit visa applications online through the European online visa platform. A common digital platform will significantly contribute to improving the image of the EU and the Member States ensuring a coherent visa policy and will significantly reduce the number of visa procedures resulting from the loss or exchange of a travel document. The committee responsible recommended that the European Parliament's position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the proposal as follows: Member States should ensure that the service offered to the public is of a high standard and follows good administrative practices. They should allocate appropriate numbers of trained staff and sufficient resources to facilitate as much as possible the visa application process. A ‘one-stop’ principle should be applied to all applicants. The European Parliament adopted by 573 votes to 36, with 16 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EC) No 810/2009 and (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1683/95, (EC) No 333/2002, (EC) No 693/2003 and (EC) No 694/2003 and Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement, as regards the digitalisation of the visa procedure. The aim of the regulation, that is the establishment of the EU Visa Application Platform (EU VAP) and the introduction of a digital visa, build on other initiatives aiming, on the one hand, at streamlining and harmonising the procedures in the context of the common visa policy and, on the other hand, at aligning travel, entry requirements and border checks within the Schengen Area with the new digital era. The European Parliament's position, adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure, should amend the proposal as follows: The EU Visa Application Platform (EU VAP) should be developed to allow visa applicants to apply for a visa online , regardless of the Member State of destination . It should automatically determine which Member State is competent to examine an application, in particular in cases where the applicant intends to visit several Member States. - up-to-date and easily accessible information and the conditions for entry on the territory of the Member States, in formats that take into account visual impairments; - a guidance tool with which the applicant can find all the necessary information regarding visa requirements and procedures, such as, but…

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