Doha: A new procedure will be in place from October 2 for those requesting a Schengen visa in Qatar.
The new procedure will introduce the collection of biometric data such as fingerprint scan and digital photo in order to prevent false identifications, identity theft and fraud. An important feature is that all applicants will now have to go personally to apply for the visa to collect their biometric data to process their application.
Even if requesting fingerprints might seem a little invasive, the procedure doesn't imply delays.
Some people were annoyed by the news as they will have to personally go to the embassy to get their visa instead of sending personal staff to collect the documents.
The positive side is that the biometric data will be saved for 5 years, so the applicant doesn't have to go through the whole procedure every year, but only once in 5 years. Children under the age of 12 are exempted from fingerprinting. The Schengen Area comprises the territories of twenty-six European countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement signed in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg, in 1985.
Once you enter a Schengen country you can freely travel to the other 25 without getting your documents checked.
This makes the Schengen visa very appealing and more people try to sneak in to the region.
Experts argue that this is the reason why visa procedures are getting stricter.
© The Peninsula 2012
