Treaty of Amsterdam

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(ii)

the procedures and conditions for issuing visas by Member States;

(iii)

a uniform format for visas;

(iv)

rules on a uniform visa;

(3)

measures setting out the conditions under which nationals of third countries shall have the freedom to travel within the territory of the Member States during a period of no more than three months.

(1)

measures on asylum, in accordance with the Geneva Convention of 28 July 1951 and the Protocol of 31 January 1967 relating to the status of refugees and other relevant treaties, within the following areas:

(a)

criteria and mechanisms for determining which Member State is responsible for considering an application for asylum submitted by a national of a third country in one of the Member States,

(b)

minimum standards on the reception of asylum seekers in Member States,

(c)

minimum standards with respect to the qualification of nationals of third countries as refugees,

(d)

minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting or withdrawing refugee status;

(2)

measures on refugees and displaced persons within the following areas:

(a)

minimum standards for giving temporary protection to displaced persons from third countries who cannot return to their country of origin and for persons who otherwise need international protection,

(b)

promoting a balance of effort between Member States in receiving and bearing the consequences of receiving refugees and displaced persons;

(3)

measures on immigration policy within the following areas:

(a)

conditions of entry and residence, and standards on procedures for the issue by Member States of long term visas and residence permits, including those for the purpose of family reunion,

(b)

illegal immigration and illegal residence, including repatriation  of illegal residents;

(4)

measures defining the rights and conditions under which nationals of third countries who are legally resident in a Member State may reside in other Member States.