From April 5 2010, the EU Visa Code - which codifies all legal provisions on decisions on visas -  will come into force, bringing changes including a slimlined application form, common rules and conditions for issuing visas and requiring the giving of reasons if a visa application is refused.

The code, according to the European Commission, "increases the transparency, develops legal security and ensures equal treatment of applicants while harmonising rules and practices for the Schengen States applying the common visa policy".

According to European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, the change would mean that conditions for issuing visas for the Schengen area to third-country nationals will become clearer, more precise, transparent and fairer.

"Getting an EU visa will become faster. The EU Visa Code will ensure that the application of EU visa law is fully harmonised," Malmström said.

The Visa Code draws together all existing legal provisions on visas and lays down common rules on conditions and procedures for  issuing them.

It includes general provisions, as well as rules determining the EU member state responsible for a visa application and it harmonises provisions on processing of applications and decisions.

The uniform EU visa application form has been slimlined, the European Commission.

The content of individual fields has been clarified for the benefit of both applicants and consular staff.

Further categories of persons will benefit from a visa fee waiver, and children of six to 12 years of age should only pay a visa fee of 35 euro (the general fee remains 60 euro).

Nationals of third countries with which the EU has visa facilitation agreements will continue to pay a visa fee of 35 euro.

The code requires providing a motivation for refusals of visa applications and gives the opportunity for appealing against refusals.

The code, the European Commission said, foresees a greater role for the Union Delegations in co-ordinating member states' cooperation within the "local Schengen co-operation" in third states. This will also contribute to enhancing harmonisation of procedures.

To ensure equal treatment of visa applicants, a handbook for the processing of visa applications has been drawn up, and was adopted by the European Commission on March 19, and will be available to all consular staff of EU member states.

The Visa Code was adopted in June 2009 by the European Parliament and the Council.