Schengen visa biometrics: the 59-month rule, who is exempt, and when you must appear in person
Your fingerprints live in the VIS for 59 months. That is why a second application within five years may not need you at the counter.
The rule
Article 13(2): "At the time of submission of the first application, the applicant shall be required to appear in person" and give "a photograph, scanned or taken at the time of application, and his 10 fingerprints taken flat and collected digitally".
Article 13(3): "Where fingerprints collected from the applicant as part of an earlier application were entered in the VIS for the first time less than 59 months before the date of the new application, they shall be copied to the subsequent application." Two provisos follow: if there is reasonable doubt about identity the consulate collects them again, and if it cannot immediately be confirmed that prints exist within the period you may ask for them to be taken.
Article 13(7): exempt from fingerprinting are children under twelve, people for whom it is physically impossible (with as many fingers as possible taken), and heads of state, government members and royals on official visits.
What it means for you
- First Schengen application ever, or first since fingerprint enrolment began at Schengen consulates in India: appear in person.
- Applying again within 59 months of the first VIS enrolment: the consulate or outsourcer may accept the file without you, for example through a representative or a courier service where the state offers one, because your prints are copied. Many states in India still require personal appearance for other reasons (photo, document check, interview), so treat 59 months as the legal minimum, not a promise.
- Under-twelves never give fingerprints, though a photograph is still needed (Article 13(4)) and their passport and consent documents must be lodged.
Where the 59 months are counted from
From the date the prints were first entered in the VIS, not from the date of your last visa or last trip. If you gave prints in March 2022, a February 2027 application is inside the window; an April 2027 one is not.
FAQ
Do I have to give fingerprints for every Schengen visa?
No. Article 13(3) copies fingerprints entered in the VIS less than 59 months earlier to the new application, unless there is doubt about identity.
Do children need biometrics for a Schengen visa?
Children under twelve are exempt from fingerprints (Article 13(7)(a)); a photograph is still required.
Can someone submit my application on my behalf?
Article 9(4) allows lodging by an accredited commercial intermediary or a professional or educational association, and Article 10(1) ties personal appearance to fingerprint collection. In practice each state's consulate in India sets its own rules on representation; check its page.
Questions this page answers
Do I have to give fingerprints for every Schengen visa?
No. Article 13(3) copies fingerprints entered in the VIS less than 59 months earlier to the new application, unless there is doubt about identity.
Do children need biometrics for a Schengen visa?
Children under twelve are exempt from fingerprints (Article 13(7)(a)); a photograph is still required.
Can someone submit my application on my behalf?
Article 9(4) allows lodging by an accredited commercial intermediary or a professional or educational association, and Article 10(1) ties personal appearance to fingerprint collection. In practice each state's consulate in India sets its own rules on representation; check its page.