On 10th of November, 2024 a new process of European Entry/Exit System (EES) will be introduced by EU (European Union). This is a transformation in EU’s travel industry which involves eradicating the method of physically stamping passports that dates back to centuries and instead adopt digital stamping of passports in favour of efficiency in the conducing of border control and upgrading Schengen visa requirements.
This new process is mainly to track short-term entries of non-EU citizens’/travellers and ensure that they do not overstay their visa duration.
Farewell to Passport Stamps
Before the early 1900s, the travellers had to physically stamp their passport in order to be allowed into the EU. But, with the help of technology and digitalization, the new ESS system will be fully electronic and the traveller can complete his visa application faster than the traditional method.
The EES, a state-of-the-art automated information technology system, will electronically capture and store essential travel data, including:
- Traveller’s name
- Type of travel document
- Biometric information (fingerprints and facial images)
- Date and location of entry and exit
This digital approach aims to streamline border crossings while enhancing security measures within the EU and modernizing Schengen visa requirements.
Enhanced Security and Efficiency
Albrecht Schmidt, an EU border security expert, notes that the EES is a significant advancement in border management technology and Schengen visa requirements. People who come to a country are usually temporary, and with the digital entry and exit system, it becomes easier to monitor those who overstay their visas and become a security nuisance.
The system is expected to help in the fast screening of the travellers which may lead to the reduction of the time spent at the border control points.
Maria Gonzalez, a public relations officer of the European Travel Commission, stated that though they are positive about the long-term benefits of the EES, they foresee some difficulties in the short term because of the changes in the system on the side of the travellers and the border control officers. She says that they are communicating with the member states to ensure that the transition is smooth.
ETIAS: An Additional Layer of Security
In connection with the EES, the EU is also implementing the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This online travel authorization will be mandatory for visa-exempted travellers to the Schengen area and will be implemented gradually in parallel with the EES.
What Travelers Need to Know
- EES Launch Date: November 10, 2024
- First Entry: Submit fingerprints and facial images
- No More Stamps: Travelers must self-monitor stays to avoid overstaying the 90-day visa-free limit in 180 days in the Schengen area
As the EU moves towards this digital change, travellers can expect easier and more secure border control processes. As much as the tradition of having passport stamps may be missed, the EES is set to write a new chapter in the annals of travel and reshape Schengen visa requirements with increased security and comfort.