Glossary

Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code).

Agreements between the EU and a non-EU country that facilitate the issuance by an EU State of authorisations to the citizens of that non-EU country for transiting through or an intended stay in the territory of EU States for a duration of no more than 3 months in any six-month period from the date of first entry into the territory of the EU States.

While there are categories and nationals of countries that are privileged with entering the Schengen visa-free zone, there are also other categories and nationals which have to go through all the process of meeting requirements and attending interviews, in order to obtain a visa that grants them with the permission to enter the Schengen Area. After obtaining the visa become a third-country national holding a visa issued by a Member State.

A third-country national traveller holding a visa issued by a Member State.

Visa Information System ('VIS') is a centralised system that  allows Schengen States to exchange visa data. It connects consulates in non-EU countries and all external border crossing points of Schengen States. It processes data and decisions relating to applications for short-stay visas to visit, or to transit through, the Schengen Area. The revision of the system, currently being implemented,  will expand the scope of VIS by adding long stay-visas and residence permits to the system. It will also introduce more thorough background checks on visa applicants.

Visa Information System or VIS means the Visa Information System established by Regulation (EC) No 767/2008. The VIS allows Schengen States to exchange visa data. It connects consulates in non-EU countries and all external border crossing points of Schengen States. It processes data and decisions relating to applications for short-stay visas to visit, or to transit through, the Schengen Area.

Visas issued by the Member States in conformity with Article 5 and produced in the form of a uniform format (sticker) - COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1683/95 of 29 May 1995 laying down a uniform format for visas. 

A visa valid for the territory of one or more Member States but not all Member States (i.e. with limited territorial validity (LTV)).

The categories and nationals of countries that are privileged with entering the Schengen visa-free zone.

A third-country national traveller not holding a visa.