TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Starting on November 14, 2013, all Schengen states' Embassies and Consulates in Indonesia will apply the Visa Information System (VIS). On the same date, the VIS will also be introduced to all Schengen states' Embassies and Consulates across Southeast Asia as well as Central Asia as part of the global rollout of the VIS, which has already been successfully introduced in Africa, the Middle East and South America.
Implementation of the VIS system means that applicants for a short-term (3 months) visa for the Schengen area will have to be present in person during the submission of their application to provide fingerprints. For subsequent applications within five years, the fingerprints may be copied from previous application.
The applicants' biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photograph) will be registered in the VIS in order to protect them from identity theft and to prevent false identifications, which in certain cases has led to the refusal of a visa or entry to a person who had been entitled to enter the Schengen area.
The procedure of taking the fingerprints is quick, simple and discreet. The VIS central database is secure and data are processed in accordance with the highest data protection standards.
However, there are certain individuals that can be exemted from having to provide fingerprints, including:
- Children under the age of twelve;
- Persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible;
- Heads of State and members of national Governments, with accompanying spouses, and the members of their official delegation when they are invited by Member States' Governments or by international organizations for an official purpose;
- Sovereigns and other senior members of a royal family, when they are invited by Member States' Governments or by international organizations for an official purpose.
The Schengen visa will continue to give successful applicants access to 26 European countries, for a total of three months during a six-month period. "Schengen states" are most European Union states, except for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom. The Schengen area also includes the non-EU states Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Together, the Schengen states constitute a border-free area.
Detailed information on how to apply for a Schengen visa are available at Embassies and Consulates of the Schengen countries.
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