FantasticSearch

1. For the purpose of checking whether a person has been previously registered in the VIS, the competent authorities for carrying out checks at external border crossing points in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/399 shall consult the VIS before creating in the EES the individual file of visa-exempt third-country nationals as laid down in Article 17 of Regulation 2017/2226.

2. For the purpose of paragraph 1 of this Article, where Article 23(4) of Regulation 2017/2226 applies and the search referred to in Article 27 of that Regulation indicates that data on a third-country national are not recorded in the EES, the competent authority for carrying out checks at borders at which the EES is operated shall have access to search in the VIS using the following data: surname (family name); first name or names (given names); date of birth; nationality or nationalities; sex; type and number of the travel document; three letter code of the issuing country of the travel document; and the date of expiry of the validity of the travel document.

3. Solely for the purposes referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, further to a search launched in the EES pursuant to Article 23(4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, the competent authority for carrying out checks at borders at which the EES is operated may launch a search in the VIS directly from the EES using the alphanumeric data provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article.

4. In addition, if the search with the data referred to in paragraph 2 indicates that data concerning the third-country national are recorded in the VIS, the competent authority for carrying out checks at borders at which the EES is operated shall verify the fingerprints of the third-country national against the fingerprints recorded in the VIS. That authority may launch the verification from the EES. For third-country nationals whose fingerprints cannot be used, the search shall be carried out only with the alphanumeric data provided for in paragraph 2.

5. If the search with the data listed in paragraph 2 of this Article and the verification carried out under paragraph 4 of this Article indicate that data on the person are recorded in the VIS, the competent authority for carrying out checks at borders at which the EES is operated shall be given access to consult the following data contained in the application file concerned as well as in an application file or files linked pursuant to Article 8(4), solely for the purpose referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article:

(a) the status information and the data taken from the application form, referred to in points (2) and (4) of Article 9; ◄ (b) photographs;

(c) the data referred to in Articles 10, 13 and 14 and entered in respect of the visa or visas issued, annulled or revoked or of the visa or visas whose validity is extended.

6. Where the verification provided under paragraph 4 or 5 of this Article fails or where there are doubts as to the identity of the person or the authenticity of the travel document, the duly authorised staff of the competent authorities for carrying out checks at borders at which the EES is operated shall have access to data in accordance with Article 20(1) and (2). The competent authority for carrying out checks at borders at which the EES is operated may launch from the EES the identification referred to in Article 20.