By Lucy Adautin
Airports across the European Union (EU) are gearing up for the European Entry-Exit System (EES), set to debut in October 2024.
This system will eliminate the need for passport stamps for non-EU citizens entering the region.
The new system will require biometric data collection from nationals of developing countries entering the Schengen Area.
The EES aims to speed up border crossings and bolster border security.
Launching in October 2024, the EES will collect biometric data from nationals of developing countries entering the Schengen Area to enhance security and streamline border procedures.
Between 2020 and 2024, nearly 7.1 million non-immigrant visas were issued in the US for tourism or business, many without mandatory in-person consular interviews and biometric screenings.
The US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Inspector General has noted the unknown number of visa applicants who bypassed biometric screening.
According to Biometric Update, the fingerprint waiver program for non-immigrant visa holders ended in December. Despite this, many port directors were unaware of this change for the past four years.
The DHS Inspector General has also pointed out inefficiencies in screening and verification processes, including those for asylum seekers with long-pending applications.
The EES will register travelers from non-EU countries upon their entry or exit from the Schengen zone, capturing biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images.
“It will also record refusals of entry. EES will replace the current system of manual passport stamping, which is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings, and fails to systematically detect over-stayers,” the EU states on its website.
The EES is designed to prevent irregular migration and enhance the security of European citizens. It will help legitimate third-country nationals travel more easily while identifying over-stayers and instances of document and identity fraud.
Despite the scheduled October launch, there are concerns about the readiness of some EU airports, particularly smaller regional ones. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that dozens of airports are unprepared for the EES.
Rafael Schvartzman, International Airport Association (IATA’s) regional head for Europe, has raised concerns about unresolved issues needing urgent attention.
