eu-LISA provides technological support for the EU countries’ efforts to make Europe safer.

What it does

It manages large-scale integrated IT systems that

• maintain internal security in the Schengen countries
• enable Schengen countries to exchange visa data
• determine which EU country is responsible for examining a particular asylum application.

It helps ensure Europeans can travel freely within the EU, without compromising Europe’s security.

The agency also tests new technologies to help put in place a more modern, efficient and secure border management system in the EU. It coordinated the testing and follow-up of the Smart Borders pilot project, the analysis of results and reporting on the pilot project, in close cooperation with the participating EU countries and the European institutions.

Structure

The agency has a management board, an executive director and advisory groups for each of the systems under its management.

How it works

It provides the technical and operational framework to ensure that people living in the EU can live, work and travel in the way they have come to know and expect. The agency manages the 3 main IT systems dealing with visas, asylum requests and sharing information to guarantee the security of the Schengen Area:

• the Visa Information System (VIS)
• the Schengen Information System (SIS II)
• Eurodac

The agency works together closely with the EU countries, EU institutions and agencies in the field of justice and home affairs, particularly the following:

• EU Council
• European Commission
• European Parliament
• European Data Protection Supervisor
• European Court of Auditors
• European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL)
• European Asylum Support Office (EASO)
• European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA)
• European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust)
• European Police Office (Europol)
• Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)
• European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex)
• European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)
• European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)

Who benefits

EU residents, who can travel freely and safely within the EU.