EU Parliament and Council agree on enhanced visa system
The EU Parliament and the EU Council have finalised negotiations on the reform of the union’s Visa Information System (VIS). VIS is an EU security database that stores visa information for applicants to the Schengen area.The updated system will be in full force by 2022 and will fully link to internal security and border management. Some new functions include: checking all visa applications against the entry-exit system; rapid checks on long term visas and residence permits by border security; and sharing VIS with law enforcement for the investigation of serious crimes.