On this page you can find information on how the registration and processing of personal information regarding visas is processed by the Directorate of Immigration.
What is VIS?
The Visa Information System (VIS) allows Schengen States to exchange visa data. It consists of a central IT system and of a communication infrastructure that links this central system to national systems. VIS 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 system can perform biometric matching, primarily of fingerprints, for identification and verification purposes.
How we process your data in visa cases?
The information the applicant and host supplies in connection with the application for a visa will be entered into, and stored in the national visa register (N-VIS) and in the Schengen member states’ shared visa data base (C-VIS). This also applies to information the applicant and host may give in conjunction with an application to extend the visa stay. The registration is mandatory.
N-VIS is a computerized register maintained by Directorate of Immigration Service. C-VIS is a computerized central visa register for the Schengen member states.
Which authorities have access to the information?
Any personal data concerning the visa applicant which is stated in the visa application form, as well as fingerprints and facial image will be registered in the national visa register (N-VIS) and in the Schengen member states’ shared data base (C-VIS) and processed by the authorities in the member states, for the purposes of making a decision about the visa. The personal data is stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) for a maximum period of five years, during which it will be accessible to the Directorate of Immigration, visa authorities and the police.
Any personal data concerning the host of the visa stay which is stated in the invitation form will be supplied to the relevant authorities of the Schengen member states and processed by these authorities, for the purpose of a decision on the visa application.
Your ability to access, correct and delete registered information
You have the right to access to the information registered about the person in question in N-VIS and C-VIS and to be informed of which member state has delivered or registered the data. The applicant and the host can also request that incorrect information be corrected and that data registered unlawfully be deleted.
The Directorate of Immigration is responsible for processing the data in VIS on Iceland’s behalf. If you wish to exercise your rights you can fill this form to access the information registered or request that incorrect information be corrected and that data registered unlawfully be deleted.
The form is then sent to the Directorate of Immigration by letter or e-mail:
Útlendingastofnun
Dalvegi 18
200 Kópavogi
Íslandi
E-mail: utl@utl.is.
A copy of the identity document must be provided and – where applicable – a copy of the legal authorization to represent the applicant.
Supervisory authority
If an access request is denied or not answered, the individual in question can file a complaint with the respective data protection authority. The Icelandic Data Protection Authority supervises the compliance with the Schengen acquis on data protection in Iceland.
Further information
Further information on the VIS system is available on the website of the European Commission.
Further information on personal data processing is available in the Data Protection Policy of the Directorate of Immigration.
Service provider
Directorate of Immigration