Visa Information System to be introduced by Schengen States in India

As part of the worldwide introduction of the Visa Information System (VIS), the 26 Schengen states (including 22 EU Member States) have launched the VIS in India. The Visa Information System (VIS) is a system for the exchange of data on short-stay visas between Schengen States, in particular between consulates, central visa authorities and border guards. The aim of the global introduction of VIS is to better protect applicants against identity theft and to prevent document fraud and so-called ‘visa shopping’. Fingerprints are widely used within the EU as a secure means of identification. Indian citizens requesting a short-term Schengen visas (max. 90 days in a calendar period of 180 days) will need to appear in person in order to provide biometric data (fingerprints and digital photograph). The biometric data will be copied from the previous visa application included in the VIS for subsequent applications within five years, for any of the Schengen countries. Therefore, the VIS will facilitate rapid examination and efficient processing of visa applications of regular travellers given that the consulates will have access to information on the visa applicant’s previous visa applications and visas issued. There will be no changes for national longstay visas or in other current procedures for short stay such as visa fee or forms.