صحافة بلادي صحيفة إلكترونية مغاربية متجددة على مدار الساعة تعنى بشؤون المغرب الجزائر ليبيا موريتانيا تونس
Brussels –The European visa system is witnessing continuous transformations during 2026, including the digitization of procedures and the modernization of border controls, within the framework of a new strategy adopted by the European Commission last January, with the aim of facilitating legitimate travel and enhancing the security of the Schengen space, while visa applications continue to be subject to the applicable conditions.
One of the most notable developments is that the European Entry and Exit System (EES) entered full operation on April 10, 2026, after it began electronically recording the entry and exit data of citizens of non-EU member states, including biometric data, to replace the manual stamping of passports at the external borders of participating countries. .
In a related context, Europe continues to prepare to circulate a unified electronic platform for visa applications, which allows submitting files, paying fees, and tracking applications online, with a move towards replacing the traditional visa sticker with a secured digital visa. This transformation is being implemented gradually, with the use of the unified platform becoming mandatory for all Schengen countries after the end of the transition period specified in European rules. .
The European Commission is also moving to develop its visa granting policy, including examining the possibilities of extending the validity period of multiple-entry visas for travelers who prove their respect for the rules, without this meaning automatically granting them to all applicants. These trends fall within the European visa strategy, which aims to modernize procedures and improve coordination between member states.
For Moroccans wishing to travel to Europe, these changes mean an improvement in the way visa applications are processed and border controls, but they do not eliminate the necessity of obtaining a visa for the categories required to do so, nor do they exempt from meeting the requirements of the file. The ETIAS system, which is intended for visa-exempt travelers, differs from the entry and exit system and the Schengen visa application procedures, and is not a substitute for a visa for Moroccan citizens who are required to do so.
It remains necessary to follow the official announcements of the European Commission and the relevant consulates to know the dates for implementing the new procedures and the requirements for each destination, especially since some reforms are still in the preparation or gradual implementation stage.
Source:My press
