Mandatory collection of biometric data from Ukrainian citizens who receive Schengen visas will be introduced tentatively in late January 2015, the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has reported.
“Under the requirements of the EU Visa Code in diplomatic offices and consulates of EU countries in Ukraine, the obligatory procedure for collecting biometric data of applicants for Schengen visas will be introduced tentatively in late January 2015,” reads the report.
The ministry said that the Visa Information System in Ukraine is being built up to ensure the quick exchange of information between authorized services of Schengen zone states linked to the issue of visas to citizens from third countries for short trips (up to three months) and consulates of the states, as well as checkpoints on the outer borders of the EU.
All information submitted to a consulate, a digital photo and fingerprints will be entered into a database. Children under 12 are not required to submit biometric data.
