2/15/2008 - European Union To Implement Biometric Check-In/Check-Out System
Under a newly proposed system, travelers to the European Union would need to submit biometric information when applying for a visa or - if not required to obtain a visa - to submit biometric information upon arrival in the EU. Biometrics collection would be in force by 2011. By 2015, entry and exit dates - and therefore compliance with permitted period of stay - would also be tracked under the proposed system. The measures would apply to all EU states within the passport-free-travel Schengen zone (which includes all EU nations except Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the UK).
The biometric-based program sounds, in the abstract, similar to the US-VISIT program currently in place for entry into the U.S. The sole difference appears to be that the U.S., at the point, is not requiring a "check-out" procedure upon departure (although this was done under a pilot program until May 2007, and theoretically nothing prevents reimplementation at some point).
Also being considered is a border surveillance system such as the one being implemented by the U.S., although apparently with more of a maritime focus.
Perhaps this is only a minor inconvenience to both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals traveling to EU nations; perhaps it will in practice prove invasive. The most important thing about this item may be this: it reminds us that there is reciprocity; there is a golden rule as applied to freedom of international movement. The way we as a nation treat non-Americans, we may well be treated. Should our economic fortunes change, and our own children and grandchildren need to look abroad for employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, they may well be treated abroad the way we treat immigrants today.
All non-EU citizens who may travel to the European Union, including U.S. citizens.