Legal analysis on the necessity and proportionality of extending the scope of the Visa Information System (VIS) to include data on long stay visas and residence documents : final report

In line with recommendations of the High-Level Expert Group on Information Systems and Interoperability of May 2017, where an information gap at EU level concerning long-stay visas and residence documents was identified, this study aims to analyse the necessity and proportionality of including data on these documents in the Visa Information System (VIS). This study seeks to address the information gap and offer a solution to tackle document fraud, security and migration risks and administrative burden for Member States authorities. After a thorough assessment of policy options against specific objectives, extending the scope of the VIS to include long-stay visas and residence documents is seen as the preferred option as it meets all set policy objectives. It also passes necessity and proportionality tests, as the impact on fundamental rights including data protection and privacy brings significant advantages and outweighs disadvantages. The extension of VIS offers the most effective, feasible and cost-benefits to close the current information gap and is coherent with the recent policy developments, including reusing existing systems, avoiding silos and building systems managed centrally.