How Does EES Differ from ETIAS - Everything You Should Know

The European Commission Office introduces a travel regulation known as the Entry/Exit System (EES). However, it is different from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The EES serves as an entry and exit pass, while ETIAS serves as a visa waiver to citizens of third countries. The EES initiative records every migration in the external Schengen area borders. EES and ETIAS both ensure individuals' safety. Both visa measures have been on the agenda of the European Parliament and the European Council for quite some years. With the availability of the online application process, travellers can apply for these visas with little or no stress. Eligible persons will also receive a response within a few minutes of the application.

As the name implies, the entry-exit system ensures a proper record of the eligible citizens of third countries entering Europe. The work of the EES also extends to monitoring the migration activities at every border control system. The EES is also referred to as the IT scale system as part of the Smart Borders Package. The plan was introduced in 2016 to ensure automatic monitoring of people who cross the Schengen border. Every passport owner that is neither Swiss, EEA, or EU will need to obtain the EES permit. Once the EES is in operation, the immigration officer will not participate much in border control. It will also hasten passport verification, as people will not need to carry out this act manually. The system will automatically confirm the authenticity of every passport.

EES applies to visitors who are entering the country for a short period, usually for a minimum of 90 days. The EES serves as the extra sauce to ETIAS and Visa Information System (VIS). The visa will identify any misconduct from visitors or visitors who try to stay beyond the allocated time. Every EU member state will gather every visitor's information available at EES. The EES is then an intelligence baseline in identifying external threats. Law enforcement or authorities will then provide Europol data or investigations involving crime detection.

The primary purpose of the EES is to monitor every movement within Schengen borders. The EES is also a response to the technology innovations across the world today. Hence, control efforts at Schengen areas will be more valid, providing quality outcomes. It also reduces the number of human resources while recording the information of a large number of visitors. This is an innovative approach to allocate material resources appropriately.

EES identifies visitors who have broken the rules or committed a crime to ban them from entering the Schengen areas. When individuals undergo the EES test, the migration officers will determine if such a person needs a Schengen visa. The immigration authorities will also use the EES to make crucial decisions concerning an individual visa extension.

Since the EES is a new system being implemented, what impact does it make on the existing immigration requirements? Although some points were noted above, the Entry and Exit system serve another purpose. Facilitators at the embassy can monitor the migration operations and ensure a smooth flow throughout. It will also reduce the crime rate and the possibility of terrorists invading the Schengen areas.

By implementing EES, you would not need to spend spare time at the Schengen border. The system has a device that will detect the period of stay an individual has within the country. The Helsinki Vantaa airport in Finland already has the EES device that automatically detects the period of stay for every traveller.

The first step a citizen will require to take is at the Schengen border is to go to the EES device. The border will scan the first page of your passport to ensure your biometric information is correct. You will also confirm the authenticity of your biometric by taking a passport photograph on the spot. The device will then compare your facial capture with the information on your passport. If the two are valid, the EES will store your data on its system. If otherwise, you will receive a query and be banned from entering the Schengen areas in case of serious misconduct.

It takes only a few minutes to undertake the EES permit process. However, complete all the necessary details online before visiting the embassy. This will hasten the EES processing and increase your chances of receiving approval. There is a National Uniform Interface (NUI) in the EES system, which allows each state's government to access the needed information. This information is stored on encrypted communication infrastructure to ensure no security breach happens in the future.

The EES is similar to the passport stamping procedure, while the ETIAS is similar to the Schengen visa. They both require eligible citizens to fill out an online form, while the EES is for European countries to have better documentation. The ETIAS is also similar to the ESTA procedure employed in the United States. ETIAS requires detailed information such as contact, personal data, passport information, and security-related questions. Also, the information each applicant submits while registering online varies for ETIAS and EES.

On the other hand, EES would require your biometric information. In addition, no traveller will enter Europe without the embassy officers screening the ETIAS information. Meanwhile, EES only records data without requiring a screening.