EU Overhauls Visa Information System to Enhance Security and Migration Checks

According to le 360, citing a press release from the European Commission, all visa applications recorded in the VIS will now be subject to automatic checks in all other EU security and migration information systems, such as the entry/exit system (which is to become operational in 2022), the Schengen Information System and the European Criminal Records Information System for third-country nationals, through the European Search Portal.

For law enforcement authorities and Europol, it is now more organized access to the VIS for investigations, to prevent and detect terrorist offenses or other serious crimes, in full compliance with EU data protection rules.

Another interest, access to the VIS will also be opened to law enforcement authorities for the purpose of searching for or identifying missing or abducted persons and victims of human trafficking.

According to the European executive, discussions are underway for the full digitization of the visa issuance procedure by 2025, with a digital visa and the possibility of submitting visa applications online, concludes the site.