... Mozambicans will continue to need Schengen visas, but from now on, their passage through borders will be accompanied by a more rigorous digital verification.
The European Union recently began implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital mechanism that gradually replaces the traditional passport stamp and promises to transform how European borders are controlled.
The system was created to electronically register the entries and exits of citizens from third countries, that is, nations that are not part of the European Union or the Schengen Area – the category in which Mozambique falls.
The measure will come into effect progressively and should be fully operational by April 10, 2026, covering 29 European countries.
During this transition period, passports will continue to be stamped, but travelers may already begin to have their biometric data collected, such as facial images and fingerprints, depending on the point of entry.
For Mozambicans, for example, the change has immediate effects. From now on, any citizen traveling to a European country belonging to the Schengen Area, whether for tourism, studies, business, or family visits, will have their personal and biometric data stored electronically in the new system.
The data collection will occur at the time of border control, gradually replacing the previous manual procedure.
The EES is intended for all travelers entering Europe for short stays, up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Thus, Mozambicans – and others – will continue to need a Schengen visa, but from now on, their passage through borders will be accompanied by a more rigorous digital verification, which automatically records entry and exit dates, as well as any refusals of entry or prolonged stays.
According to the European Union, the system aims to modernize border management, making controls faster and safer, and combating problems such as identity fraud, irregular immigration, and the use of false documents.
At the same time, the EES will help European authorities identify people who overstay their permitted stay or who enter illegally, also contributing to the fight against terrorism and organized crime.
(By Renaldo Manhice)
