France has taken a massive step towards its migration policy. France becomes the first EU country to issue digital Schengen visas amid the Paris Olympics. They have taken this decision regarding the Olympics and Paralympic Games to be held in Paris in 2024, targeting journalists, athletes, and delegations participating in the forthcoming events. The authorities aim to issue 70,000 French Schengen visas to digitalize the visa process fully. However, for now, a digital Schengen visa is available only to the participants of the Olympics, but this initiative might lead to a broader move to incorporate others as well.
People who are eligible to apply for a Digital-Schengen visa
The Olympic And Paralympic Family Members
The France digital visa is available for those who are closely connected to the Olympics, such as:
- Members of the Paralympic and International Olympic Committees
- National committees and international federations
- recruiting committee participants and national organizations
- Coaches, judges, and athletes
- Medical professionals and sports technicians
- Senior executives, accredited journalists, sponsors, and benefactors
The visa application process has been simplified for the people who belong to this group, as they are essential to the games. The members need to show up at the visa center at the scheduled time with their passports and valid accreditation certificates issued by the OCOG, and the visa will be issued based on their eligibility. The benefits offered by this process are the following:
- They won’t have to wait for an appointment
- They won’t have to collect documents
- They won’t have to pay the standard Schengen Visa fees.
Other group: guests invited by the Olympic or Paralympic Committee (OCOG).
People invited by the OCOG to the games must complete a visa application through the France-Visas website. They must provide the documents listed on their official website and meet their visa requirements. Additionally, they are required to submit a letter of invitation from the OCOG. Similar to the first category, no visa fee applies to this group. However, both categories must provide biometric data at the visa center, including fingerprints and photographs.
Other spectators who wish to attend the games need to get a regular Schengen visa by following the complete visa process.
Conclusion
France will become the first European country to issue digital Schengen visitor visas for the upcoming Paris Olympics. It led among the European Union countries by introducing the complete digitalization of Schengen visas for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris, scheduled from July 26 to August 11 and August 28 to September 8, respectively. This digital approach to visa processing aims to streamline the application process. It will reduce the potential waiting times, providing a more convenient experience. This initiative aligns fully with the EU’s plans to digitize Schengen visa processes by January 1, 2026.
This digitalization of the Schengen visa process can be a game-changer for travelers worldwide. In the future, it may pave the way for broader adoption of the paperless visa process across the European Union. Although other EU countries are exploring digital visa initiatives, France is the first EU country to issue paperless visas. If you are looking for the best Europe/Schengen Visa consultant in Lahore, HSA Consultant is your go-to place.
