How will Schengen visas change for Belarusans starting from June 23?

Starting from 23 June 2015, Schengen States' consulates operating in Eastern Partnership countries will start entering applicants' fingerprints in the Visa Information System.

Starting 23 June 2015, Schengen States' consulates operating in Eastern Partnership countries, including Belarus will start entering applicants' alphanumerical and biometric data - fingerprints and digital photograph.  

Starting 23 June 2015, all visa applicants who have reached the age of 12 will have to appear in person when lodging the application as consulates will enter in the Visa Information System the biometric data** of all visa applicants above the age of 12.

Visa applicants' biometric data will be kept in the central database of the Visa Information System for up to 59 months and used again for processing all further visa applications of the same applicant in any Consulate or Embassy of the Schengen Area.  

The Visa Information System is a central database that supports exchange of data on short-stay visas between Schengen States with a view to increase security and facilitate visa procedures.

Since 2011, the Visa Information System has been gradually introduced in both the Schengen States' consulates and the border crossing points of the Schengen Area.

As Rodolphe Richard, the head of the policy information and press department of the EU representative office, told at the press conference in Minsk on April 27 Belarus and the EU have a mutual desire to initial the visa agreement on visas.

When asked whether the agreement between Belarus and the EU on visa facilitation can be initialed at the Eastern Partnership Summit due in Riga in May, Rodolphe Richard said that Belarus and the European Union are both interested in this document, BelTA informs. “Therefore we could hope that this will be done in May," he added.