With the advent of computers, our world is becoming increasingly digitized. Some areas of life are adapting faster than others. Law — and migration law in particular — remains a relatively conservative field, where innovation tends to move slowly. Yet even this domain has undergone significant virtualization in recent years.
Governments are moving migration processes online due to the speed and efficiency of digital data processing. Verifying and handling applicant information is much faster when submitted in digital form. This approach also reduces the likelihood of errors.
1. Remote Visa Applications
Many countries already allow visa applications to be submitted remotely. However, the level of digitalization varies widely.
Some countries offer a fully online visa process, including:
In Europe, the EU e-Visa / ETIAS program is being developed to enable a complete online application cycle.
Other countries only allow online form submission, requiring an in-person visit to the consulate for further steps. These include:
Even in these cases, the process is significantly faster than submitting a full paper application in person.
The transition from online applications to fully electronic visas is a natural next step. In reality, visa information is already stored in border control databases:
The transition from online applications to fully electronic visas is a natural next step. In reality, visa information is already stored in border control databases:
Historically, a visa served as physical proof of permission to cross a border. Today, border officers rely on digital databases, making the physical visa stamp increasingly redundant.
As a result, many countries are adopting purely electronic visas, with no passport stamps. These include:
The EU e-Visa / ETIAS system is expected to launch in 2025, further accelerating this trend.
Given the growing level of digitalization, it’s likely that all countries will eventually adopt electronic visas.
Visa processes are just the beginning. Some countries now allow remote applications for residence permitsand citizenship.
Examples include:
Digital migration processes benefit both applicants and governments:
The main barrier is government concern over document authenticity and applicant identity. Authorities need to be confident that documents haven’t been altered and that the person submitting them is the actual applicant.
However, as trust in digital systems grows and technology advances, these concerns will diminish — paving the way for fully online visa and residence permit processes.
Author: Aleksei Molchanov
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