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Ambrose Li

The European Union is introducing two new border control measures over the next 12 months. How will they affect Hong Kong visitors?
Here the Post looks at what you need to know.
1. What are the measures?
The introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will require travellers from 60 visa-exempt territories, including Hong Kong, to obtain permission before visiting 30 European countries.
Authorisation holders will be allowed to visit the EU for a short stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The bloc will also launch the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will see biometric information – fingerprints and facial images – collected. Travel document details, as well as date and place of entry into and departure from a European country will also be recorded for all non-EU nationals.
2. When will they come into force?
ETIAS, which is set to have transition and grace periods, will go into force in the first half of next year, while EES is expected to take effect from this autumn. The exact dates have yet to be announced.
Travellers to the EU could do without an ETIAS authorisation during the six-month transition period. Visitors could also enter the EU once without ETIAS during a following grace period, the length of which has not been announced yet.
The bloc advised travellers to obtain the authorisation before making any travel arrangements. Neither of the two measures is operational yet.
3. ETIAS requirements
Applicants will have to provide their name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, an email address, phone number, travel document details, education level and occupation, as well details of criminal convictions.
Information about the applicant’s planned stay in countries that need ETIAS approval, any previous travel to war or conflict zones and whether the applicant has recently been subject to a decision that required him or her to leave any country are also required.

4. Why will they be implemented?
“ETIAS will be a largely automated IT system created to identify security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen States, whilst at the same time facilitate crossing borders for the vast majority of travellers who do not pose such risks,” the EU website said.
Izabella Cooper, ETIAS central unit division’s media and outreach team leader from the European Border and Coastguard Agency, said the stolen document database, visa information system or Europol database could be checked ahead of time with ETIAS, enabling a smoother checking process at the border.
EES, meanwhile, could help prevent document fraud and tighten control at the EU external border with a centralised digital system that would enable officers to easily monitor the movement of travellers entering Europe and whether they have overstayed without going through passport pages.
5. What you need to look out for
Cooper warned the public to stay vigilant over fraudulent application channels, stressing there was only one official website where travellers could apply for an ETIAS.
She said authorities had noticed there were at least 106 unofficial websites, some of which could be genuine commercial intermediaries that facilitated applications.
But others could be fake and might use applicants’ personal information to commit fraud.
“You do not want this kind of information to end up in undesired hands, because the simplest form of scam is that you would be charged money without obtaining the authorisation,” she said.
“Even more concerning examples would imply somebody cloning your passport.”
She added it was impossible for non-official websites to offer “early-bird discounts” because the system was not in place yet, noting that anyone applying on behalf of others – a family member or a tour guide – would need an authorisation from the applicant.

6. ETIAS vs visa
“The ETIAS is a completely different system,” Cooper said. “In order to obtain a visa, you need to go to a consulate and apply for it.”
She added that travellers could apply for the authorisation online, calling the process “unproblematic” and “quick” as it should take “about a few minutes”.
An ETIAS authorisation will cost €7 (US$7.5), but the charge will be waived for those aged under 18 and over 70.
“A visa is a longer procedure because consulates are involved. It costs more … and you only obtain a visa for a limited amount of time. An ETIAS will be valid for three years for multiple entries,” she said.
Cooper said the travel authorisation was similar in concept to that all visa-free passport holders had to undergo to travel to the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.
7. How long will EES keep data?
Records of entries, exits, and refusals of entry will be stored for three years, starting from the day they are recorded on, according to the EU website.
Individual files containing personal data will be stored for three years and a day starting on the date of applicants’ last exit record, or of the refusal of entry, if the traveller was not permitted to enter.
If no exit has been recorded, the data will be stored for five years, starting on the expiry date of applicants’ authorised stay.


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Hong Kong society

What are the coming EU border controls and how will they affect Hongkongers?

The EU will introduce two border control measures over the next 12 months. Photo: AFP

ETIA will go into force in the first half of next year. Photo: Bloomberg

EES is expected to be launched this autumn. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hong Kong visitors to EU will need travel authorisation from next year

The EU is to introduce a new travel authorisation scheme for non-bloc nationals. Photo: Reuters

Izabella Cooper of the EU says the bloc’s new authorisation system will be easy to navigate and quick to complete. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Thomas Gnocchi, the ambassador and head of the Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macau, says Hongkongers are welcome in Europe, despite a new authorisation scheme. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hong Kong condemns Taiwanese authorities for issuing travel warning over city

Several Taiwanese tourists have recounted their experiences of being randomly stopped or searched by Hong Kong police in the city. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Tuesday’s warning on Hong Kong travel came just days after Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council also cautioned Taiwanese to “think carefully” before visiting mainland China. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hong Kong welcomes 40 tourism representatives from mainland Chinese cities to promote expanded solo travel scheme

Tourism minister Kevin Yeung (centre) welcomes industry representatives and media from eight mainland cities at the Tourism Board visitor centre located at Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point. Photo: ISD handout. 

Visitors enjoy a day out at Hong Kong Disneyland in Tung Chung. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

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Bloc to launch two systems, with one set to take effect this autumn and another in the first half of next year


Bloc to launch two systems, with one set to take effect this autumn and another in the first half of next year.


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Explainer

Explainer | What are the coming EU border controls and how will they affect Hongkongers?

Bloc to launch two systems, with one set to take effect this autumn and another in the first half of next year

1. What are the measures?

2. When will they come into force?