Visa Information System (VIS)


VIS is a central IT system for the Schengen countries. It contains personal information, including fingerprints, about those who apply for a visitor visa and the name and address of the person or organisation who invited the applicant.

Who has access to the information in VIS?

  • The visa authorities can access to the information when processing applications.
  • Border control staff and the police can access the system when they need to confirm someone’s identity, check whether a visa is real or if someone meets the requirements for entering, staying in or living in a Schengen country.
  • Asylum authorities can access the information when they need to determine which EU/EEA country is responsible for processing an asylum application.
  • Other national authorities and Europol may request access in special circumstances in order to prevent, detect and investigate terrorist offences and serious criminal offences.

How long is the information stored in VIS?

The information is stored in VIS for five years, beginning from the date a visa expires, an application is rejected or an issued visa has been changed.

You have the right to know what information is registered about you

If you are registered in VIS you have the right to know what information about you is stored there. You also have the right to know which Schengen country has provided or registered the information.

If you wish to find out what information is registered about you, you must fill in the form Request for access to information in the Visa Information System (VIS) (pdf, 591 kB) Send the form along with a copy of your ID (e.g. passport) to UDI by mail or email: 

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration
Postboks 2098 Vika
NO-0125 Oslo
Norway

Email: visumservice@udi.no

If any of the information about you is incorrect or missing, you can ask for it to be corrected. You must write a letter where you explain how the information is incorrect, and send it to the above address.

You can also ask for advice and guidance from The Norwegian Data Protection Agency (external website), which has a supervisory responsibility. The Data Protection Agency can check for you if the information about you in VIS is correct and has been used correctly. 

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