Visa Information System (VIS) from 15 May 2014

It is a simple and discreet procedure that only takes a few minutes. Biometric data, along with the data provided in the Schengen visa application form, will be recorded in the VIS central database. The recourse to biometric technology will protect visa applicants better against identity theft and prevent false identifications, which in certain cases lead to refuse a visa or entry to a person who is entitled to enter.  It is used commonly in the EU to make travel documents more secure (e.g. for the issuance of passports to EU citizens including diplomatic passports holders). 

Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for:

• children under the age of twelve;
• persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible;
• Heads of State and members of the national Governments, with accompanying spouses, and the members of their official delegation when they are invited by Member States' governments or by international organisations for an official purpose;
• Sovereigns and other senior members of a royal family, when they are invited by Member States' governments or by international organisations for an official purpose.