One of my priorities is facilitating Schengen requirements for Kuwaitis: EU Ambassador

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 17: In her first official statement after presenting her credentials to His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, the European Union Ambassador to Kuwait, Anne Koistinen, said the digitization of the Schengen visa is a positive step.

Koistinen said, “Facilitating Schengen requirements for Kuwaiti citizens is one of my priorities, and will contribute to facilitating communications between individuals in line with the European Union’s Gulf strategy,” reports Al-Rai Daily.

She went on to say, “Until the new online visa system becomes operational in 2028, I encourage applicants to obtain a Schengen visa.” In Kuwait, we must continue to follow the current procedures issued by the relevant embassies in Kuwait.

She stated that once the online visa platform for the European Union is operational in 2028, applicants will still need to come in person to the Schengen consular offices or service providers in the case of first-time applicants, people whose biometric data is no longer valid, and people who have a new travel document, saying, “This new system will also replace the current visa sticker with a cryptographically signed bar code.”

The European Union adopted new rules on November 13, 2023, which will allow people planning to travel to the Schengen Area to apply online for a visa, once the new online system gradually becomes operational in 2028. The new rules will modernize, simplify and harmonize visa procedures.

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