European Council reported (19-Dec-2018) EU ambassadors agreed on Council proposals to amend the Visa Information System (VIS) regulation in order to improve visa security. The main aims of the amending regulation are as follows:
- Further strengthen the security of the short stay visa procedure;
- Include long stay visas and residence permits in the database;
- Ensure interoperability between the VIS and other relevant EU systems and databases.
Under proposed new rules the VIS will include information on short stay visas as well as long stay visas and residence permits, as these documents allow for free movement within the Schengen area. A digital copy of the biodata page of the travel document would be included in the VIS. [more - original PR]