Visa
Information System (VIS)
Technology can
play a key role in improving and reinforcing external borders. Over the past
years, the EU has been developing large-scale IT systems for collecting,
processing and sharing information relevant to external border management. The
Visa Information System, which supports the implementation of the common EU
visa policy, is one of these tools.
What is VIS?
The Visa Information System (VIS) allows Schengen States to
exchange visa data. It consists of a central IT system and of a communication
infrastructure that links this central system to national systems. VIS connects
consulates in non-EU countries and all external border crossing points of
Schengen States. It processes data and decisions relating to applications for
short-stay visas to visit, or to transit through, the Schengen Area. The system
can perform biometric matching, primarily of fingerprints, for identification
and verification purposes.
Facilitating checks and the issuance of visas: VIS enables border guards to verify that a person
presenting a visa is its rightful holder and to identify persons found on the
Schengen territory with no or fraudulent documents. Using biometric data to
confirm a visa holder's identity allows for faster, more accurate and more
secure checks. The system also facilitates the visa issuance process,
particularly for frequent travellers.
Fighting abuses: While the
very large majority of visa holders follow the rules, abuses can also take
place. For instance, VIS will help in fighting and preventing fraudulent
behaviours, such as "visa shopping" (i.e. the practice of making
further visa applications to other EU States when a first application has been
rejected).
Protecting travellers: Biometric technology enables the detection of travellers using another
person's travel documents and protects travellers from identity theft.
Helping with asylum applications: VIS makes it easier to determine which EU State is responsible for
examining an asylum application and to examine such applications.
Enhancing security: VIS assists in preventing, detecting and investigating terrorist offences
and other serious criminal offences.
How does it work in practice?
10 fingerprints and a digital photograph are collected
from persons applying for a visa. These biometric data, along with data
provided in the visa application form, are recorded in a secure central
database.
10-digit finger scans are not required from children
under the age of 12 or from people who physically cannot provide finger scans.
Frequent travellers to the Schengen Area do not have to give new finger scans
every time they apply for a new visa. Once finger scans are stored in VIS, they
can be re-used for further visa applications over a 5-year period.
At the Schengen Area's external borders, the visa
holder's finger scans may be compared against those held in the database. A
mismatch does not mean that entry will automatically be refused - it will
merely lead to further checks on the traveller’s identity.
Which countries use VIS and who operates
it?
As a Schengen instrument, VIS applies to all Schengen
States (Denmark has decided to implement it). After a transitional period, the
new EU Agency for large-scale IT systems
(to be launched in autumn 2012) will be responsible for the operational
management of VIS.
Who can access VIS?
Competent visa authorities may consult the VIS for the
purpose of examining applications and decisions related thereto.
The authorities responsible for carrying out checks at
external borders and within the national territories have access to search the
VIS for the purpose of verifying the identity of the person, the authenticity
of the visa or whether the person meets the requirements for entering, staying
in or residing within the national territories.
Asylum authorities only have access to search the VIS for
the purpose of determining the EU State responsible for the examination of an
asylum application.
In specific cases, national authorities and Europol may
request access to data entered into the VIS for the purposes of preventing,
detecting and investigating terrorist and criminal offences.
How is my data in VIS protected?
Access to VIS data is limited to authorized staff in the
performance of their tasks. They must ensure that the use of VIS data is
limited to that which is necessary, appropriate and proportionate for carrying
out their tasks.
Data is kept in the VIS for five years. This retention
period starts from the expiry date of the issued visa, the date a negative
decision is taken or the date a decision to modify an issued visa is taken. Any
person has the right to be informed about his/her data in the VIS. Any person
may request that inaccurate data about him/her is corrected and unlawfully
recorded data is deleted.
Each EU
State must require a National Supervisory Authority to monitor the lawfulness
of the processing of personal data by that country. The European
Data Protection Supervisor
