There will be no more stamps in the passport: what will change at the border with the EU on November 10

The EU authorities have decided to change the rules for crossing the border / photo ua.depositphotos.comThe European Union is changing the rules for crossing the border. Now, instead of stamps, the passport will scan the face and fingerprints.

This was reported in the Telegram channel of the government. In particular, it is emphasized that visa-free will not be canceled, no additional fees will be introduced. At the same time, the approach to document verification is changing.

From November 10, a new IT border control system – Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) – will be operational at the borders with the EU. It will automatically record the entry and exit of all foreigners to the countries of the Schengen zone. This applies to all non-EU citizens, including Ukrainians, regardless of whether or not they have a visa.

What will change?The EES system will record your biometric data once and store it for 3 years. There will be no more stamps in the passport. Registration will take place automatically through self-service terminals.

What to expect at the border:

• during the first entry, you will be asked for biometric data: fingerprints and a photo of your face;
• border crossing time may increase – by approximately 40 seconds while your data is being collected;
• biometric data will be kept for three years, there is no need to resubmit them;
• if you refuse biometrics, you will be refused entry.

Then, at each border crossing, you will need to scan your passport at the self-service terminal.

Why is the EU introducing the EES:

• simplification of border crossing;
• strengthening of security with the help of biometric documents;
• preventing the use of forged passports.

In addition, this measure is aimed at combating illegal migration.

Important news about cooperation between Ukraine and the EU – what was reportedAs UNIAN reported, at the end of June, Ukraine and the European Commission extended the validity of the “transport visa-free” for one year, with the possibility of its automatic extension until the end of 2025, following the “trade visa-free”. Truck transportation from Ukraine to the EU and from the EU to Ukraine will no longer require special permits. The updated agreement also provides for a number of mutual obligations regarding the availability of licenses for transportation and marking of trucks.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal noted that “transport visa-free” promotes imports, which increased by 44%. These are, in particular, goods and equipment needed by Ukrainian manufacturers to establish the production process.

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