New UK Travel Rules from October: Fingerprints Will Become Mandatory.

New Rules for Travelers from the UK

According to The Sun: Next month, British travelers will face new requirements when leaving the country through three ports. The new Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to come into effect for those who say 'yes' to traveling to Europe.

Reuters

New Biometric Checks

Now, instead of passport stamps,

“travelers will need to undergo new biometric checks, including fingerprints and photographs at the border.”

Starting October 12, new checks will be implemented at the port of Dover, in the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone, and on Eurostar at London's St Pancras station.

For Eurotunnel, buses and trucks will begin operating under the new rules from October 12, while changes for passenger cars will be rolled out by the end of the year. The system, which costs around £70 million, will be able to process 700 vehicles per hour thanks to 224 kiosks in the Folkestone terminal.

Vehicles will wait under a large white canopy next to the kiosk showing the license plate, after which passengers will exit the car for passport scanning and biometric checks.

PA

Verification Process and Rules for Children

According to the statement from Eurotunnel Chief Ian Lerish, despite concerns about long queues, they expect

“minimal impact” on waiting times, which will be about two minutes per person in Folkestone and Calais.

Fingerprints will be valid for three years and will not require resubmission. Children under 12 will not need to provide fingerprints.

The official GOV.UK website clarifies:

“When EES is implemented, you may need to create a digital record during your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport upon arrival.”

Alamy

Introduction of New Visa Waiver

Although the new EES system will be implemented this year, the Schengen visa waiver ETIAS is still pending. Similar to ESTA for British nationals, it will require a fee for issuance.

The initial cost was €7 (£6), but it was later increased to €20 (£18) even before launch. The visa will be valid for approximately three years and will cover all EU countries. Children under 18 and individuals over 70 will be able to obtain it for free.

PA With the new rules starting next month, travelers from the UK should prepare for changes in the border crossing process, particularly regarding biometric identification. This will be an important step towards improving security in international travel. The introduction of the ETIAS visa waiver only underscores the changes happening in the approaches to entry control in Europe.