REVISIO project

The REVISIO project will improve the implementation of the common visa policy, strengthen consular cooperation and develop consultation between central visa authorities. REVISIO builds on the results of two previous projects, UMPIO and Revised VIS, and continues the development work they began.

A separate legislative project will implement the amendments to Finland's national legislation required by Regulations (EU) 2021/1134 and (EU) 2021/1133, which will reform the Visa Information System (VIS).

REVISIO will not create a new information system. Instead, it will develop new technical solutions and functions for Finland’s existing national visa information system (VISA).

EU regulations, including the regulations reforming the VIS, require further development of VISA and its interoperability with EU systems.

Project objectives

The project will introduce the technical and operational changes required by Regulations (EU) 2021/1133 and (EU) 2021/1134, which reform the VIS, and by the Interoperability Regulations (EU) 2019/817 and (EU) 2019/818. It will also prepare the system for the changes due to be rolled out in 2028 and 2029.

Key measures include expanding the data stored in VISA, introducing automated background checks against EU information systems, developing biometric identification and integrating consultation procedures.

To enable interoperability, the project will create a technical access point between VISA and EU information systems, allowing them to exchange information securely. The project will also provide the technical capability for searching several EU information systems simultaneously.

These changes will help accelerate and harmonise visa processing, improve risk identification and prevent misuse. They will strengthen external border security, improve cooperation between authorities and ensure that the national system complies with EU requirements. They will also support the transition to digital visa services.

REVISIO is an implementation project required by EU legislation, particularly Regulations (EU) 2021/1133 and (EU) 2021/1134. The project must ensure that the solution is ready to be introduced according to the timetable set by eu-LISA, the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.

Implementation

The Immigration Process and System team in the Ministry's Information Technology and Systems Services is implementing REVISIO together with the Ministry's Visa Unit and the supplier of Finland's national visa information system (VISA).

The project will introduce new functions and modifications to VISA to support the reformed visa process and comply with EU legislative requirements.

The project manager for REVISIO is Tarja Nylander.

Funding

The EU Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI) has awarded REVISIO EUR 863,550.00 in funding for the period from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029.

Timetable

VISA has been developed since 2023 through several projects, including UMPIO and Revised VIS, in line with the requirements of EU regulations. The timetable has changed because of dependencies between EU-wide projects and delays in earlier projects.

REVISIO will continue until the end of 2029 and will include two major system updates.

Preparatory meetings, organised by the EU in early 2026, and the Justice and Home Affairs Council approved a new interoperability (IO) roadmap and timetable. The regulations reforming the VIS and the interoperability regulations set out both national and EU systems and technical components and functions. Under the roadmap, these should be ready for use by the end of 2029.

The roll-out schedules for the information systems are based on timetables agreed at EU level.

Project results

The project will implement all changes required for the wider use of EU information systems in VISA. These changes will enable more comprehensive identity and security checks and support the modernisation of the visa process. Users will benefit from improved application features and smoother integration with EU information systems.

The project's deliverables will become part of VISA's ongoing service provision. System performance will be monitored continuously, and any incidents or faults will be resolved through routine maintenance.

The lifecycle of the changes introduced under the project is linked to that of VISA, which is expected to remain in operation for at least the next ten years.

The project will also provide a strong foundation for the introduction of a digital visa. A digital visa and an electronic visa application process are the next major steps on the EU roadmap. Preparations for their introduction will continue after REVISIO ends.