The European Commission has revealed its plan to digitalize the Schengen visa. This will replace the mostly paper-based application system to obtain a visa for EU and Schengen countries currently in place. This means the Schengen visa will soon be available through a simplified online application process, similar to the European Travel Information and Authorization
Visa Requirements for Puerto Rican Citizens
Visa requirements for citizens of Puerto Ricans are administrative entry restrictions placed on residents of Puerto Rico by the authorities of other countries and territories worldwide.
Under an act of the US congress, anyone born in Puerto Rico is a citizen of the United States by birth and Puerto Ricans can move freely between the island and the mainland. Accordingly, Puerto Rican passport holders are also subject to the same global visa requirements as citizens of mainland USA.
At present, Puerto Rican nationals are able to visit over 100 countries without a visa for varying periods of temporary stay. The duration of visa-free visit varies depending on the destination, from 15 days up to 1 year.
An additional 25 countries allow Puerto Ricans to obtain an eVisa or electronic travel authorization through an expedited application protocol. This simple online process eliminates the need to wait in a long immigration queue at a border checkpoint to obtain a visa on arrival or apply in person for a visa from an embassy or consulate of the destination.
Electronic travel visa authorizations for nationals of Puerto Rico permit short-term stays in the country of issue that vary from 15 to 90 days. They usually permit entry to the destination for purposes of tourism, transit, or business purposes.
To visit these same countries for other purposes, it is necessary to apply for a visa for Puerto Ricans in person from a diplomatic government office of the destination. Additionally, an embassy visa is required to travel to roughly 80 territories as a Puerto Rican passport holder regardless of duration of stay or the motive of the visit.
You can find a full breakdown of the different entry types for travelers from Puerto Rico in the boxes.