Press Release: Visa Information System (VIS): The JHA-Council reaches a political agreement on the VIS Regulation and VIS Decision

The Justice and Home Affairs Council has reached a political agreement on the legislative package on the Visa Information System (VIS): the VIS Regulation and the VIS Decision. The European Parliament adopted this package on 7 June 2007. The adoption of these instruments by the Parliament and the political agreement by Member States are necessary for the further development of the system for the exchange of visa information between Member States. The VIS Regulation will allow consulates and other competent authorities to start using the system when processing visa applications and to check visas. The VIS Decision will allow police and law enforcement authorities to consult the data under certain conditions that ensure a high level of data protection.