All the 26 European countries that come under Schengen area are set to commence the system for
visa information (VIS) in India from 2nd November. The applicants for the visas of short term should provide biometric information by arriving in person at consulate of the European state.
According to the statement made by the EU, this move has already being placed in Middle East, Africa, Americas, Eastern Europe, Turkey and East Asian countries and it will also help in streamlining the applications for the visa and would also protect the applicants from visa shopping and burglary of identity.
The statement also said that the fingerprints are extensively used inside the EU region as the safe means of recognition. The usage of biometric information for recognition is a much faster and precise way of identifying the person holding the visa. Children under the age of 12 and physically impaired people are exempted from providing their finger prints.
It is mentioned in the application that within the five year period of time, the biometric information would be copied and it will facilitate the brisk assessment and well-organized processing of applications for visa of regular tourists.
There would be no change for the nationwide visas for long stay or in other recent procedures for the short stay like visa forms or fees.
