On March 25, 2001, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland simultaneously joined the agreement. Thus, all EU members except Great Britain and Ireland became parties to this treaty. A special status was established for Norway and Iceland, which are not EU members. Formally, they cannot participate in decision-making within the Schengen Committee, but no decision concerning them will be taken without mutual consultations.
The document has 142 articles and provides for the gradual abolition of passport and customs controls at internal borders, while tightening such controls at the external borders of all parties to the treaty. The need for joint control of external borders is fixed. Unified consular rules, norms and procedures for crossing the external borders of the Schengen Group countries have been introduced. The procedure for entry into the Schengen Group countries for persons who are not EU citizens has been developed in detail.
Citizens of states that have concluded relevant agreements with the Schengen Group have received the right to visa-free crossing of external borders and free movement within the Schengen area. Currently, citizens of Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Cyprus, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Switzerland, Estonia and some other countries have the right to visa-free entry. Citizens of other states need a visa.
For information support of consular and visa services, the Schengen single computer database - SIS was created in Strasbourg. It contains data on foreigners deported from the Schengen zone, all persons wanted in the EU, and citizens whose entry into the Schengen zone is prohibited or undesirable. Mention in this 'black list' can serve as a reason for official refusal to issue a Schengen visa. In December 2000, Great Britain also joined the Schengen Information System.
Embassies of Schengen zone countries issue two types of visas: a single European (Schengen) visa, which is issued for up to three months, or a national visa if the trip will take longer. A Schengen visa is processed within 15 to 40 days from the date of submission of documents to the embassy. Moreover, a foreigner holding a Schengen visa can visit any of the countries participating in the agreement.