African Travellers to Europe Face Stricter Biometric Checks Under EES

African travellers heading to Europe could face stricter biometric checks and longer queues at 29 border crossings following the end of temporary measures designed to ease congestion under the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES).

The temporary flexibility that allowed some biometric procedures to be suspended during periods of severe congestion expired on September 6, meaning participating border points are now expected to operate under the system's standard requirements.

The development is particularly relevant to African tourists, business travellers, students and people travelling to Europe to visit family.

What Is the Entry/Exit System?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the European Union's automated border management system for recording the entry and exit of eligible non-EU nationals travelling for short stays.

Instead of relying solely on traditional passport stamps, the system records travellers' personal and biometric information.

Eligible travellers may be required to provide:

1. Passport and travel-document details
2. A facial image
3. Fingerprints

The information is used to register travellers entering and leaving participating European countries and to help authorities identify overstays and verify travellers' identities.

First-Time Travellers May Face Extra Processing

Travellers using the EES for the first time may need to complete additional registration procedures at a self-service kiosk or with a border officer.

This could take longer than the conventional passport-control process, particularly at busy airports and other major border crossing points.

Importantly, having previously provided fingerprints as part of a Schengen visa application does not automatically exempt a traveller from EES registration.

Travellers should therefore be prepared to undergo the required biometric process when they first encounter the new system.

Airlines Warn of Possible Delays

The increased use of biometric checks has raised concerns within the aviation industry over potential delays at European entry points.

Airlines have warned that additional processing could contribute to longer queues and, in some cases, cause passengers to miss connecting flights.

The risk is likely to be greater at busy airports and during peak travel periods, when large numbers of passengers arrive within a short period.

Travellers Advised to Arrive Early

African travellers planning trips to Europe are being advised to allow additional time for border processing, particularly if they are using the EES for the first time.

Passengers with connecting flights should also factor in the possibility of longer immigration queues when planning their journeys.

Arriving at the airport early, ensuring travel documents are readily available and following instructions from border officials can help minimise delays.

The introduction of stricter biometric processing marks another significant change in how non-EU travellers enter Europe's Schengen area.

For African travellers, understanding the EES requirements before departure could help avoid unnecessary delays and reduce the risk of missed connections as the system moves into its standard operating phase.