Visa Information System (VIS)

The Visa Information System (VIS) is a system which supports the implementation of the European Union’s common visa policy and facilitates border checks and consular cooperation in Europe.

Logo Visa-Informationssystem (VIS) Source: European Commission

VIS provides quicker and clearer procedures for travellers requiring a visa to enter the Schengen Area. The system helps to simplify border controls, to reduce “visa shopping” and irregular migration and contributes to the prevention of threats to the internal security of Member States.

The legal basis for the Visa Information System are the Council Decision of 8 June 2004 establishing the Visa Information System (VIS) 2004/512/EC and the Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas (VIS Regulation).

Visa Visa-Informationssystem (VIS) Source: European Commission

The Federal Office of Administration was designated by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community as national authority, which shall provide the access of the competent authorities to the VIS.

The national authority is providing expert advice to the competent authorities and to any person, who requests information about the data relating to him recorded in the VIS.