The Czech Interior Ministry has opened the 22nd call in its Internal Security & Visa Policy Fund (OP NSHV), allocating CZK 300 million (about €12 million) for projects that modernise biometric work-stations in Czech embassies and consulates. Published late yesterday afternoon, the closed call specifically targets hardware and software that capture fingerprints and facial images for Schengen short-stay visas. Applicants are limited to state entities such as the Foreign Ministry and the Police Presidium, but private suppliers will ultimately deliver the technology. The ministry says many missions are still operating equipment installed before 2016, which struggles with high applicant volumes from countries such as India, Turkey and the Philippines. The new generation readers will support contactless fingerprint capture and compliant liveness detection, reducing infection risk and curbing identity fraud. Projects must be contracted by March 2027 and fully delivered by December 2028; Brussels will reimburse 75 % of eligible costs. For corporate mobility managers the upgrade should translate into faster biometric enrolment and fewer repeat scans—an irritant that often forces executives to revisit visa centres. Travel-management companies also welcome the plan, noting that walk-in Schengen applicants in New Delhi are currently processed at 45 per hour, half Prague’s target throughput. The ministry predicts a 30 % productivity gain once the new kit is in place. Bidders have until 31 October 2026 to submit project outlines. The call underscores Prague’s intention to align with the EU’s forthcoming Visa Digitalisation Regulation, under which all Schengen applications will move online by 2031. Vendors with experience integrating biometric data into central VIS databases are expected to have an edge. Mobility stakeholders should monitor award announcements in early 2027 to anticipate which consulates will be first to roll out the upgraded workflow.
Source: Ministry of the Interior CZ
