The EU’s new entry system for travellers from third party countries, including the UK, is understood to have been delayed again.
It has been reported by the Independent that the launch date has been pushed back from 6 October 2024 to 10 November, and it could possibly be further postponed till 17 November.
The delays are understood to be because some EU countries have indicated they won’t be ready in time. Travel Gossip reported in April that France had requested it be delayed until next spring as it is unable to carry out work on the new entry/exit system (EES) while Paris hosts the Olympics, from 26 July.
Also, postponing the introduction until mid-November will avoid the busy UK half-term holiday.
EES, which was originally supposed to be introduced in 2021, will require travellers to have their photo taken and provide a fingerprint on their first visit to the EU, which, it has been estimated, will increase processing times by up to 400%.
However, the Independent has reported that initial checks on arrivals are to be watered down following the launch of EES to avoid long queues building up at immigration points.
Quoting Port of Dover Chief Executive Doug Bannister, the publication said officers will be ‘able to dial down the amount of intervention for registration if the queueing gets excessive’.
The publication suggested that as few as 10% of passengers might be asked to provide biometric tests during the busiest arrival times.
Once the EES is up and running, Brits will be required to apply for a visa waiver (ETIAS) to enter the EU, at a cost of €7. This is expected to be introduced in spring 2025.
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It has been reported by the Independent that the launch date has been pushed back from 6 October 2024 to 10 November, and it could possibly be further postponed till 17 November.
The delays are understood to be because some EU countries have indicated they won’t be ready in time. Travel Gossip reported in April that France had requested it be delayed until next spring as it is unable to carry out work on the new entry/exit system (EES) while Paris hosts the Olympics, from 26 July.
Also, postponing the introduction until mid-November will avoid the busy UK half-term holiday.
EES, which was originally supposed to be introduced in 2021, will require travellers to have their photo taken and provide a fingerprint on their first visit to the EU, which, it has been estimated, will increase processing times by up to 400%.
However, the Independent has reported that initial checks on arrivals are to be watered down following the launch of EES to avoid long queues building up at immigration points.
Quoting Port of Dover Chief Executive Doug Bannister, the publication said officers will be ‘able to dial down the amount of intervention for registration if the queueing gets excessive’.
The publication suggested that as few as 10% of passengers might be asked to provide biometric tests during the busiest arrival times.
Once the EES is up and running, Brits will be required to apply for a visa waiver (ETIAS) to enter the EU, at a cost of €7. This is expected to be introduced in spring 2025.
The post New EU entry system for Brits reported to be delayed, again appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
