EU changes system of issuing Schengen visa

In response to changing migration and security challenges, the EU is improving its Visa Information System (VIS), a tool used by authorities to register and check persons applying for a short-stay visa to enter the Schengen area.

The German Council Presidency and the European Parliament today reached a provisional agreement on the main political elements of a draft regulation amending the Visa Information System regulation, Report says, citing Prime.

The changes adopted the day before will make more accurate checking data on applicants for Schengen visas and residence permits in the EU countries. Besides, it was decided to ensure full compatibility with other similar databases.

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said: "The revised system will contain robust data protection safeguards, particularly for protecting biometric data of children. By doing so, we strike a crucial balance between limiting the access to biometric data of children and fighting against child trafficking."

Before issuing a visa or residence permit, the new rules would allow for enhanced background checks on the applicant in relevant 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. The VIS would automatically launch a query of these databases, and any hits would be manually verified and followed up by the competent authority.