About Schengen Visa

As of September 25, 2014, all Schengen State consulates in Turkey will use the Visa Information System (VIS).

The VIS is a technical outcome of the creation of a common EU area of Freedom, Security and Justice, and of the free movement of persons within the Schengen area.

VFollowing its successful gradual worldwide rollout since October 2011 — most recently in Central and North America, the Caribbean, and Australasia in May 2014 — the Visa Information System will also become operational in Turkey and the Western Balkans as of September 25, 2014.

The VIS is a central database that enables data exchange between Schengen State authorities on short-stay visas (up to 3 months). The VIS will facilitate visa application procedures and checks at the external borders of the Schengen area.

Applicants will be required to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photograph) when applying for a Schengen visa. This is a simple and discreet procedure that takes only a few minutes. For subsequent visa applications within 5 years, fingerprints can be copied from the previous application file in the VIS. Biometric data will be stored in the VIS central database together with the data provided on the Schengen visa application form.

The VIS central database is a highly secure database that applies the highest data protection standards in data processing. Everyone has the right to request the data recorded about them in the VIS from the Member State that entered the data into the system. Likewise, everyone may request the correction of inaccurate data concerning them and the deletion of information that has been unlawfully recorded.

With the introduction of biometric technology, the level of protection for visa applicants against identity theft will increase, and misidentification will be prevented.

Biometric technology is widely used in the EU and worldwide to make travel documents more secure.

The significant recent increase in the number of geographic locations in Turkey where visa applications can be submitted — through the expansion of Schengen consular services and the use of external service providers — will also help facilitate travel for those applying for a visa for the first time.

Because the VIS system will contain all Schengen visa applications made by the applicant within the last five years and the decisions issued by the Schengen Member State representations, this new procedure will make it easier to establish the bona fide status of applicants submitting new and most likely multiple-entry visa applications, based on existing information showing lawful use of previously issued visas.

Initiatives to facilitate and accelerate the visa issuance process to ease travel to the Schengen area will continue. At the same time, the European Union remains committed to conducting the Visa Liberalisation Dialogue with Turkey with the ultimate goal of lifting the visa requirement for entry into the Schengen Area.