Schengen visa applicants living in the UK have begun enrolling biometric details when applying for a visa, as part of the new EU-mandated regulation since 20 November 2015.
(TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - December 22nd, 2015 -
Biometric enrolment for Schengen visas begins at centres across the UK
Schengen visa applicants living in the UK can enroll biometric data at four centres in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff
LONDON: Schengen visa applicants living in the UK have begun enrolling biometric details when applying for a visa, as part of the new EU-mandated regulation since 20November 2015.
Biometric data, comprising fingerprints and facial photo, must be submitted with visa applications at any of VFS Global’s four visa application centres in the UK, located in London, Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
This regulation was introduced by the Schengen member states on 11 October 2011, and is being implemented globally in a phased manner.
The biometric enrollment applies only to new applications from 20 November, as existing Schengen visas are still valid until their individual expiry dates. As previously, people living in the UK requiring a Schengen visa can visit a VFS Global Schengen visa application centre to submit applications.
In the UK, biometric enrolment applies only to those nationalities that need a visa to travel to the Schengen countries. Once the biometric data is enrolled it will remain valid for 59 months. Children under the age of twelve will be exempted from biometric enrollment.
To arrange biometric data enrolment, applicants can book appointments online at www.vfsglobal.com or can visit www.vfsglobal.com for addresses and opening hours of the centres in various cities.
Chris Dix, Chief Operating Officer – Europe and Americas, VFS Global, said, “Applicants living in the UK applying for Schengen visas have the choice of four centres in London, Manchester Cardiff and Edinburgh, where they can make an appointment to register their biometric details. Those travelling to the Schengen area who have a passport from any EU country– including the UK – will not be affected as they do not require a visa.”
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Key features of biometric enrolment for Schengen visas:
- Once submitted, applicants’ biometric data will be entered into the European Union’s Visa Information System (VIS), a system for exchange of visa data among Schengen Member States.
- The applicant does not have to enroll for biometrics every time. Once an applicant has enrolled biometrics for any Schengen Member State, he/she will be exempted for the subsequent 59-month period. However, missions reserve the right to demand repeat enrolment on a case-to-case basis.
- Children under the age of twelve, persons physically unable to enroll biometrics, and heads of state or members of national governments as specified by embassies, are exempted from this process.
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Notes for Editors:
Schengen Area countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
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About VFS Global
VFS Global is the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. With over 1862 Application Centres, operations in 124 countries across five continents and over 110 million applications processed as on 31 October 2015, VFS Global serves the interests of 48 client governments. VFS Global’s worldwide operations are certified ISO 9001:2008 for Quality Management System, ISO 27001:2013 for Information Security Management System and ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management System. For more information, please visit www.vfsglobal.com
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ShailyV@vfsglobal.com
VFS Global
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