On 20 June 2017, the Council adopted a regulation amending regulation (EC) No1683/95 laying down a uniform format for visas.
This regulation establishes a new common design for the visa sticker to update its security features in order to prevent forgery. The current visa sticker, which has been in circulation for 20 years, has been compromised by serious incidents of counterfeiting and fraud.
The regulation is likely to be signed in early July by the Council and the European Parliament before its publication in the EU Official Journal.
Ireland and the United Kingdom will not be subject to the application of the new measures, in accordance with the protocols annexed to the EU treaties. However, upon a request from these member states, the Commission shall enter into arrangements with them to exchange technical information in relation to the format for their national visas.
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