Rituparna Chatterjee – Mumbai
The Schengen states have launched the Visa Information System (VIS) in India along with the neighbouring countries as part of the worldwide introduction of the VIS, which since October 2011 has been functioning in 17 out of 23 world regions. All Schengen consulates worldwide will be connected to the VIS by end of November 2015. VIS, a system for the exchange of data on short-stay visas (maximum 90 days in 180 days) between the Schengen states, was introduced to protect applicants against identity theft, to prevent document fraud and ‘visa shopping’. Since November 2, Indian citizens applying for a Schengen visa have to come in person to provide biometric data. The biometric data will be taken from the previous visa application included in the VIS for subsequent applications within the next five years. However, children under the age of 12; persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible; and sovereigns and other senior members of a royal family, heads of state and members of the national governments travelling for official purposes will be exempt from fingerprinting.
Speaking about the benefits of this system, Dr Norbert Revai-Bere, consul general, Consulate General, Hungary in Mumbai stated, “Though under this system applicants would have to come personally for providing the biometric data, it would enable easier access to multiple-entry visas with long validity, quick examination and efficient processing of applications, better protection against identity thefts, among others. We are reaching out to the travel trade, travel associations and tour operators to make them aware about this system.”
In 2014, the top applicant countries for the Schengen visa included – Russia followed by China, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, Algeria, India and Morocco.