EU to replace passport stamps with biometric border system

[File photo]

The European Union is acceptable to signifier retired passport stamping for non-EU travelers, replacing it with a caller integer borderline absorption system known arsenic the Entry/Exit System (EES).

Starting October 12, the system will statesman a gradual rollout crossed the 29 countries of the Schengen country – including 25 EU subordinate states, arsenic well arsenic Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

Ireland and Cyprus, which are EU members but are not portion of the Schengen area, will proceed manual passport checks.

Under the caller system, non-EU visitors entering oregon leaving the Schengen country will person their facial images, fingerprints and travel details recorded electronically alternatively of receiving a carnal passport stamp. According to the European Commission, the EES will marque borderline checks faster and much businesslike while strengthening information by helping track overstays and irregular migration.

Travelers will beryllium required to registry connected accomplishment by answering standard borderline questions, creating a grounds valid for three years. Once enrolled, re-entry will necessitate lone biometric verification.

The European Union expects the system to beryllium afloat operational by April 2026, with archetypal delays apt arsenic borderline officers and travelers accommodate to the technology.

The EES is 1 of two large caller EU borderline initiatives. A 2nd system, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which will necessitate non-EU visitors to get online pre-travel authorization, is owed to travel aft the EES becomes afloat functional.