France is set to pioneer a fully digital application process for Schengen visas by issuing approximately 70,000 online visas to athletes, journalists, and delegations attending the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This move establishes France as the first European Union member state to implement a completely digital visa application procedure for the Schengen zone.
The introduction of the Olympic Consulate system on Monday signifies France’s commitment to processing digital applications for the Summer Games. The initiative aims to streamline the visa application process and mitigate potential challenges arising from the large volume of files currently under review at French visa centers globally.
According to the SchengenVisaInfo website report, the French Ministry of the Interior emphasized the necessity of the new system to ensure the timely issuance of visas, aligning with the successful organization of the Games.
Notably, the 70,000 individuals visiting France for the Olympic and Paralympic Games will not receive traditional visa stamps on their passports. Instead, their visas will be seamlessly integrated into their Games accreditation cards.
Scheduled to occur from July 26 to Aug 11 and Aug 28 to Sept 8, respectively, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in France anticipate hosting around 1.5 million visitors worldwide.
The implementation of new EU rules on digital visa applications seeks to reduce costs and simplify procedures. All applications will be processed through a unified online platform, informing applicants about the specific country responsible for handling their application.
In the case of France, applicants will submit and process their requests through the France-Visas platform. This marks France as the first EU country to fully digitize the visa processing system, aligning with the EU Schengen visa digitalization plans approved by the EU Parliament in October.
A Schengen visa grants travelers the ability to visit and move freely within the Schengen Area, a collective of 26 European countries that have eliminated internal border controls. This visa allows individuals to travel between these nations without the need for multiple visas or passport checks at each border, commonly utilized for tourism, business, or family visits within the Schengen Area.
While organizers have sought to delay the launch of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) to address concerns about potential border disruptions in the summer, the EES is expected to be operational by late 2024. The EES is designed to provide accurate information on the duration of stay for non-EU visitors.
