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EU Visa Information System: more interoperability and more biometrics
The EU is currently in the process of completely revamping its migration databases (see previous briefing here). This includes a proposal to amend the Visa Information System (VIS), i.e. the EU database for short-stay visas.
On 8 December, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on this proposal.
Please find below the main points from the proposal and the link to the original proposal from the Commission.
Enlarged database
The VIS will soon include long-stay visas and residence permits, beside short-stay visas. The database will enable authorities to check the authenticity and validity of these documents.
Facilitated background checks
Before issuing a visa or residence permit, authorities will be able to consult the applicant’s background in the security and migration databases, including the Schengen Information System (SIS), the Entry-Exit System (EES), European Travel Information Authorisation System (ETIAS), Eurodac, Europol data, ECRIS-TCN and relevant Interpol databases on travel documents.
In addition, international carriers will be able to verify whether third country nationals hold the required visa. Carriers will be provided with an ok/not ok answer to the existence of a valid short-stay visa, long-stay visa or residence permit.
Fingerprints and portrait
Under the new proposal, the age for fingerprinting children will be lowered from 12 to 6 (with all the necessary safeguards). The objective is to combat child trafficking. An upper limit will also be introduced, with fingerprints of persons above the age of 75 not included in the VIS.
The current paper photo will be replaced by a live facial image with sufficient image resolution and quality to be used in automated biometric matching.
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