EU to introduce biometrical Schengen visas for Russians April 2015

The European Union will introduce the biometry procedure for Russians applying for the Schengen visas, office of the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom told TASS correspondent on Saturday.
The European Commission will introduce a visa information system in Russia, which includes a requirement for biometric data. An exact due date is not announced yet, though the change may come into force in April, 2015, Malmstrom’s representative Tove Ernst said.
The new system will not be related to the EU’s sanctions against Russia.The system will be introduced not for Russia only. Its implementation began in 2011 - the system has been used in the Middle East, in North Africa, South Africa, Central Asia, South-Eastern Asia, Central America, North America, as well as in the Caribbean and Oceania countries. The system should be considered a part of the tendency in the global visa practice, the representative said.