New Schengen visa changes Indians should know before planning their next trip

The current holiday period may be coming to an end for UAE residents, but that leaves us with plenty of time to plan for the next vacation. In case you are planning to travel to one of the Schengen countries and have been overwhelmed with the constant updates being rolled out, here’s a guide for you.

The big news is that the digital Schengen visa is finally set to go live. In fact, this shift toward a fully digital Schengen visa system is being called one of the biggest changes in Schengen visa application process in years. France was the first EU nation to test this process during the Paris Olympics, issuing 70,000 digital Schengen barcodes.

This, for Indian passport holders, is a game-changer. According to the EU, Indians are eligible for a five-year Schengen visa under the new cascade scheme, meaning easier access and longer stays in different European countries. If you are looking to apply for a Schengen visa, this is probably the best time to get geared up because it can save everyone a good amount of time, whether students, first-time tourists, frequent flyers, or business travelers.

Instead of the usual rectangular Schengen visa sticker pasted into your passport, travellers will now receive a secure barcode-based visa in digital format. That digital barcode will be scanned at immigration points, with no physical handling required.

Europe is moving towards tech-first systems, and border control is no different. With EES and ETIAS systems already in place, digital Schengen visas are the next logical step.

The concept is that it lessens visa fraud, makes it easier to get a Schengen visa faster, and also makes it easier to track entry and exit. And with thousands applying every day, an electronic setup equals quicker turnaround and less wait in embassies. The EU has stated that the digitisation will increase transparency and minimise carbon footprint. It's also part of a broader move to modernise Schengen visa rules.

The suggestion of a completely digital Schengen visa system was initially put forward by the European Commission in 2023. Implementation is now drawing near in 2025. Member states are already piloting systems internally. This digital biometric system replacing passport stamping begins on October 12, 2025, launching with a six-month phased rollout across all 29 Schengen countries. The goal is to complete full deployment by April 2026. That would mean if you're putting together a Europe vacation on your agenda soon, this digital transition could be of direct use to you.

However, it's worth noting that during the transition period, both digital and sticker-based visas may be in circulation. So make sure you stay updated, especially if you're applying for a multiple entry Schengen visa.

One of the biggest frustrations people have is the waiting time for a Schengen visa, depending on the season and location. While the new digital process won't eliminate wait times overnight, it will bring some consistency. This will especially impact the Schengen visa processing time once digital systems are in full swing.

Just because it's online doesn't mean it's foolproof. You'll still need to meet the right Schengen visa requirements, avoid errors in your forms, and ensure your supporting documents are updated. The system will likely reject incomplete applications outright, and multiple rejections can affect future travel approvals.

Another tip: double-check the changes in Schengen visa application guidelines as they roll out. These updates may include eligibility rules, biometric exceptions, or even priority access based on purpose of travel.

Indian residents applying for a Schengen visa to Switzerland will need to double-check their documents going forward, it was announced recently.

According to a new update by VFS Global, a visa outsourcing company, only the documents listed in the official checklist for respective visa category will be accepted at the visa application centre (VAC).

The Entry/Exit System (EES) which goes online in October is a digital border control platform that replaces paper visa stickers and passport stamps with biometric scans and automated checks. For UAE travellers, this means faster e-gates, no more visa stickers, and smoother arrivals. Instead of getting the passport manually stamped, the EES will register fingerprints, a facial scan, passport details, and date, time and place of entry and exit. Here are the other ways in which your Europe travel experience will change.

From 2026, Schengen visas will be fully digital without any physical stamps or stickers. The applicant will get a secure digital visa with a barcode directly linked to their passport.

Depending on the destination country and season, the waiting time may vary from 15 to 45 days. It is advisable to apply at least 6-8 weeks prior to avoid last-minute inconvenience.

Yes, rejection has increased due to incomplete documents or suspicious travel history. France, Spain and Germany are already experiencing above-average rejection rates.

The launch of the digital Schengen visa will occur simultaneously in all 29 member states. No country will start individually; the system will start at the same time in 2026.

Candidates will complete one online application, upload necessary documents, and have a single biometric session. Upon approval, an electronic digital visa barcode will be electronically sent and attached to your passport chip.

With inputs from ANI