eu-com-schengen-coop

applications for Filipino applicants that they process. The embassies of Sweden in Bangkok,
Thailand and Portugal in Jakarta, Indonesia are regular recipients of the LSC meeting minutes.
3. State of play
3.1 Application of the Visa Code
We can say that the Visa Code is largely applied by Members States in the Philippines. However,
differences in the interpretation of some articles still appear.
The biggest remark, however, is the volume of applications, mainly seafarers. A working group on
harmonisation of seafarers' application procedures has been created recently.
3.2 Assessment of the need to harmonise the lists of supporting documents
MS present consider that harmonisation of practices is already acquired. The main objective of the
LSC of the past 12 months has been to finalise the harmonisation of the documents to be presented
by visa applicants and to get a decision on the final list. The meetings were also the occasion of
exchanges of good practices and meeting with various government bodies.
Despite the active participation of the Member States present at meetings, the absence of some of
them makes it difficult sometimes to get common decisions on the discussed topics.
The harmonisation of documents is at its final stage. After several amendments following the Visa
Committee's recommendations, LSC has agreed on a final list and hopes to get the COM Decision
shortly.
3.3 Exchange of information
3.3.1 Monthly statistics
Certain MS submit their statistics regularly and EUD compile them; others need to be reminded.
The compiled statistics are shared with the MS and a copy of the annual statistics is sent to the Visa
Comm.
3.3.2 Cases of fraud
Information regarding specific or suspicious causes of fraud is pro-actively shared by email and
some cases are discussed during LSC meetings. Common cases encountered were on fraudulent
documents and attempts on human trafficking.
Also, MS share information about deported Philippine citizens.
3.3.3 Travel Medical Insurance (TMI)
The LSC has a shared list of TMI agencies that they regularly worked with. Most of these agencies
are used by Schengen visa applicants. Only insurance companies offering the requirements of the
Visa Code are accepted. No Insurance Company accreditation list is published.
3.3.4 Others issues
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DG D 1 A
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