Glossary

Definition

Agreement between the EU and a non-EU country that facilitates the issuance by an EU Member State of authorisations to the citizens of that non-EU country for transiting through or an intended stay in the territory of the EU Member States of a duration of no more than three months in any six-month period from the date of first entry into the territory of the EU Member States.

Broader Visa

Related Visa Code, Visa Information System

Comments

Source

DG HOME e-Library Glossary

Broader forced return

Narrower assisted voluntary return

Related return decision, voluntary return

Comments

Source

Art. 3(8) of Directive 2008/115/EC (Return Directive)

Definition

The assisted or independent return to the country of origin, transit or third country, based on the free will of the returnee.

Synonyms voluntary repatriation

Broader return

Narrower assisted voluntary return

Related forced return, voluntary departure

Comments 1. The term is different from ‘voluntary departure’ and, as with voluntary departure, ultimately there will be an obligation to return.
2. The types of persons returning without the assistance of the State include those who:
a) would be under no (legal) obligation to do so. As stated in the definition, it is entirely their decision as to whether they return or not;
b) are irregularly resident and have not (yet) been apprehended/detected (e.g. overstayers), but who decide to return anyway;
c) have applied to stay (e.g. asylum seeker, person applying for international protection) and whose application has not yet been finalised, but decide to return anyway.
3. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) prefers the term ‘voluntary repatriation’.

Source IOM Glossary on Migration, 2nd ed., 2011

Definition

Minors, unaccompanied minors, disabled people, elderly people, pregnant women, single parents with minor children, victims of trafficking in human beings, persons with serious illnesses, persons with mental disorders and persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence, such as victims of female genital mutilation.

Narrower applicant with special reception needs

Related identified victim of trafficking in human beings, presumed victim of trafficking in human beings, torture, unaccompanied minor

Comments 1. Directive 2011/36/EU (Trafficking Directive) defines a 'position of vulnerability' as a "situation in which the person concerned has no real or acceptable alternative but to submit to the abuse involved".
2. Some directives use narrower definitions such as in its Art. 3(9) Directive 2008/115/EG (Return Directive).

Source Art. 21 of Directive 2013/33/EU (Recast Reception Conditions Directive)

Definition

Regulation outlining the procedures and conditions for issuing visas for transit through or intended stays in the territory of the Schengen Member States not exceeding three months in any six-month period.

Synonyms Schengen Visa Code

Broader visa

Related visa facilitation agreement, Visa Information System

Comments

The Visa Code Regulation entered into force on 5 April 2010.

Source Art. 1(1) of Regulation (EU) No 610/2013 (Visa Code Regulation)

Definition

A system for the exchange of visa data between EU Member States, which enables authorised national authorities to enter and update visa data and to consult this data electronically.

Synonyms VIS

Broader visa

Related visa facilitation agreement, Schengen Information System, Visa Code

Comments

The Visa Information System (VIS) started operating in North Africa on 11 October 2011 (see: European Commission Press release IP/11/1169).

Source

Art. 1 of Council Decision 2004/512/EC

Definition

The authorisation or decision of an EU Member State required for transit or entry for an intended stay in that EU Member State or in several EU Member States.

Broader travel document

Narrower long-stay visa, airport transit visa, visa facilitation agreement, short-stay visa, Visa Information System

Comments For some third countries (specifically, and as of December 2011, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Russian Federation and Ukraine) there are visa facilitation agreements which facilitate, on the basis of reciprocity, the issuance of visas for an intended stay of no more than 90 days per period of 180 days to the citizens of the European Union and the third country party to the agreement. These are often concluded at the same time as readmission agreements. For more information see the DG HOME website, webpage on visa policy.

Source Art. 2(m) of Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulation)

Definition

Adverse treatment or adverse consequence as a reaction to a complaint or to proceedings aimed at enforcing compliance with the principle of equal treatment.

Related principle of equal treatment

Source Art. 9 of Council Directive 2000/43/EC (Racial Equality Directive)