OBJECTIVE:
To lay down a Community visa model with a view to harmonising national visa policies and promoting the free movement of persons in the European Union.
SUBSTANCE:
1. This regulation lays down a uniform format for visas for all Member States.
2. For the purposes of the regulation, a "visa" shall mean an authorisation given by or a decision taken by a Member State which is required for entry into its territory with a view to:
- an intended stay in that Member State or in several Member States of no more than three months in all,
- transit through the territory or airport transit zone of that Member State or several Member States.
3. Member States may use the visa format for purposes other than those mentioned above as long as there is no confusion with the uniform visa defined in point 2.
4. The information contained in the uniform visa format must comply with:
* the technical specifications listed in the annex to the regulation outlining universally recognisable security features which are clearly visible to the naked eye;
* the additional secret technical specifications designed to prevent visa counterfeiting and falsification.
5. Each Member State should designate not more than one body having responsibility for printing the visas. They must communicate the name of this body to the Commission and the other Member States.
6. The procedure for adopting the secret specifications is laid down in the regulation. They are forwarded to:
- the bodies responsible for printing the visas;
- persons duly authorised by the Commission or a Member State.
7. The regulation contains a clause concerning the protection of personal data relating to individuals to whom visas have been issued.
Source: European Commission - Info 92 - 10/95.
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