Schengen visa recipients’ biometric data to be recorded in central database in Armenia
ArmeniaThe EU delegation to Armenia, jointly with the resident embassies of the EU member states participating in Schengen cooperation, organized a press conference on the launch of Visa Information System (VIS) in Armenia. All Schengen states consulates in Armenia will start using the VIS as of June 23, 2015. The applicants will be required to provide their biometric data (fingerprints and digital photograph) when applying for a Schengen visa. Biometric data, along with the data provided in the Schengen visa application form, will be recorded in the VIS central database.
The recourse to biometric technology will protect the visa applicants better against identity theft and prevent false identifications, which in certain cases lead to refuse a visa or entry to a person who is entitled to enter. It is used commonly in the EU to make travel documents more secure. As Armenpress reports, the aforementioned was said by Dirk Lorenz, Head of Political, Economic, Press and Information Section of the delegation of European Union to Armenia, during the pressconference held on June 19.
Therefore, as from 23 June 2015, firsttime visa applicants will have to appear in person when lodging the application file in the VIS.
Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for children under 12, persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is
physically impossible, Heads of State and members of the national Governments.