Biometrics and Visa Applications

The proposed Regulation amending the Common Consular Instructions as regards the taking of biometric data needs to be amended to ensure that biometric obligations are only extended to categories of visa applicants on a country-by-country and case-by-case basis following adequate justification in light of the objectives of the Visa Information System (VIS). There also need to be provisions in this Regulation (or the VIS Regulation) protecting the rights of applicants who are not able to enrol biometric data and addressing the issues of misused identity and technological failure. The use of biometric data in the VIS to identify persons should be subject to strict controls. Finally, there need to be strengthened provisions concerning the liability and monitoring of private companies which assist the Member States’ authorities to process visa applications.