Uniform format for visas: security

PURPOSE: to modernise the security features of the visa sticker.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2017/1370 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 laying down a uniform format for visas.

CONTENT: this Regulation amends Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 with a view to establishing a new common design for the visa sticker, which modernises the safety features to prevent forgery. The technical specifications of the security features of the new design are set out in a new Annex to the amended Regulation.

The common design for the visa sticker, which has been in circulation for 20 years, is considered to be compromised in view of serious incidents of counterfeiting and fraud.

The amending Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis. Therefore, Ireland and the United Kingdom shall not be subject to the application of the new measures in accordance with the Protocols annexed to the EU Treaties. However, upon the request of those Member States, the Commission may enter into agreements with them in order to exchange technical information on the model of their national visas.

In order to exhaust existing stocks, a transitional period of 6 months is planned during which Member States may continue to use the old visa stickers.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 17.8.2017.

APPLICATION: no later than 15 months after the adoption of the additional technical specifications referred to in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 1683/95.