Biometrics (VIS)
Visa Information System (VIS) has been gradually introduced between October 2011 and November 2015 at all consulates of the Schengen Area States. The VIS allows exchange of data and contains also biometric data of applicants, incl. fingerprints. Fingerprints are submitted when filing a visa application.
For the purpose of collecting the fingerprints, the applicant needs to appear in person.
VIS
Once the fingerprints have been collected, the applicant is not required to submit them for the next five years (exactly 59 months) when submitting the subsequent visa application(s) during this time period – provided the applicant is in a possession of a visa sticker containing the information about submitting the fingerprints (or its copy), i.e. the visa sticker which was issued with the application when fingerprints were collected.
Children younger than 12 years are exempt from the fingerprints requirement.
Fingerprints are collected at all diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic / Schengen Area which issue visas.
Legal sources:
- Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)
- Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the Exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas (VIS Regulation) (article 48 stipulates the gradual implementation of VIS)
Useful links:
