EU Demands 2D Barcode Visas from Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Lithuania

The Commission of the European Union has decided to open infringement procedures against Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Lithuania for not implementing the 2D barcode on the uniform format for visas.

The 2D barcode was introduced in 2020 to prevent counterfeiting and falsification of the visa sticker. The Member States had a two-year period of time to implement the 2D barcode, with the deadline expiring in May 2022.

However, all four Member States concerned are still not printing the 2D barcode on the visa stickers they issue.

Notice of Infringement Procedures

The Commission has already dispatched formal notices to the aforementioned countries, notifying them of the commencement of these procedures. These nations are now expected to respond to the EU authorities’ concerns promptly.

2D Barcode Visa Implementation

The 2D barcode visa requirement was introduced in 2020 to combat the counterfeiting and falsification of visa stickers. Member States were officially informed about this change on April 30, 2020, with a two-year grace period to implement the 2D barcode, which expired in May 2022.

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Non-Compliance Issue

Despite the ample notice period, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Lithuania have not yet incorporated 2D barcodes into the visa stickers they issue. Consequently, the Commission has initiated these procedures to address the issue.

The four Member States now have a two-month window to respond to the Commission’s letter and rectify the identified shortcomings.

In the event of an unsatisfactory response, the Commission retains the option to issue a reasoned opinion, signalling its intention to take further action.

Security Concerns Prompted Change

The Commission’s decision to introduce the 2D barcode in 2020 stemmed from the compromised security of the previous generation of visa stickers, leading to the detection of counterfeit documents within Member States. The aim is to bolster security measures and prevent future forgeries.

The Role of the Digital Seal

The addition of a cryptographically signed digital seal has been crucial in this security enhancement process.

This digital seal allows authorities to verify visa authenticity by comparing printed data with data embedded in the digital seal, especially in cases where access to the Visa Information system is unavailable.

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Technical Specifications

The Commission emphasized that the cryptographically signed digital seal should conform to the specifications outlined in the ICAO Technical Report on Visible Digital Seals for Non-Electronic Documents. Additionally, it stressed the importance of encoding all required data in the digital seal.

In conclusion, the European Union’s Commission is taking proactive steps to strengthen visa sticker security through the implementation of 2D barcodes and cryptographically signed digital seals. Member States must now respond promptly to ensure compliance with these security measures and avoid potential consequences.