Division

The following procedure shall apply:

1. (a)

   without prejudice to the special procedure concerning the exchange of information, which takes place in accordance with Article 25 of the Schengen Convention; and without prejudice to point 4.6, which concerns the exchange of information following a hit on a third-country national who is the beneficiary of the Community right of free movement (in which case the consultation of the SIRENE of the issuing Member State is obligatory); the executing Member State may inform the Member State which issued an alert for refusal of entry or stay that the alert has been matched in the course of the procedure for issuing a residence permit or a visa. The Member State that issued the alert may then inform other Member States using an M form if appropriate;

2. (b)

   if so requested, in accordance with national legislation, the SIRENE Bureaux of the Member States concerned may assist in transmitting the necessary information to the appropriate authorities responsible for issuing residence permits and visas.