Regulation 1030/2002 entered into force on the date it was published in the official journal, 15 June 2002. The Regulation was initially directly applicable in all Member States, except Ireland, but Ireland subsequently requested that it take part.
The Regulation sets out the general characteristics of the uniform format for residence permits. The Regulation provides that the uniform format can be used as a sticker or a stand-alone document. Certain additional technical specifications (designed to prevent counterfeiting and forgery) are stated to be secret and are not published. The Regulation requires the Member States to issue the uniform format for residence permits no later than one year after adopting certain security measures. Member States may add to the permit information of importance regarding the nature of the permit, the holder’s legal status, and information regarding permission to work. “Residence permit” is taken to mean any authorisation allowing a third-country national to stay legally in a Member State, with the exception of visas, permits pending residence or asylum determinations, or authorisations for periods not exceeding six months.
