The European Union is set to overhaul its Schengen visa process by replacing traditional visa stickers with a secure digital 2D barcode. The move, part of a broader shift to online applications approved by EU foreign ministers last year, aims to modernise and simplify travel to the 29 Schengen countries. The digital barcode will be directly linked to the EU’s central visa system, allowing immigration officials to access personal data and visa validity in real-time. At border crossings, passengers can scan the code for faster clearance.