Visa resource
Biometrics for a Schengen visa
Most Schengen visa applicants give biometrics as part of the application. This page explains what that means in plain language, attributed to the European Commission; always confirm the current position on the official guidance before you apply.
What biometrics are
For a Schengen visa, biometrics are your fingerprints and a facial image (photograph). According to the European Commission, these are collected as part of the application and stored in the Visa Information System (VIS), the shared database used to process Schengen short-stay visas.
How long they can be reused
The European Commission notes that fingerprints held in the VIS can be reused for 59 months (just under five years). Within that period you may not need to give your fingerprints again for a new Schengen visa application, though you may still be asked to attend in person.
Not the same as the Entry/Exit System
Giving biometrics for your visa is separate from the Entry/Exit System (EES), which records biometrics at the external Schengen border when you actually travel. Read the EES guide to understand the difference.
Need help getting this right?
We check your documents as part of your application, so you don't submit the wrong thing.
Official sources