Speaking for The Connexion, Chauvet said that long-stay visa holders will not be required to register into the Entry/Exit System (EES), EU Helpers reports.
Even though foreigners with long-stay visas will be exempt from the EES, Chauvet noted that it has not yet been decided which queue this group of people will be directed to.
He said that they will most likely have to join the non-EU queue, where they will have to wait in line with the the foreigners who need to undergo the registration process.
Holders of long-stay Schengen visas will be exempt from the EES since they are permitted to stay in the EU territory for longer periods of time. They also hold permits corresponding to the purpose of their stay in the bloc.
What Is Entry/Exit System & How Will Other Foreigners Entering France Through Normandy Ports Be Affected?
The Entry/Exit System is an automated system that will become effective on November 10, 2024. It will replace passport stamping and require all foreigners to register, regardless of whether they need a Schengen visa to enter the EU for short stays.
When registering, foreigners will be required to provide information about their identity, travel documents, and their biometric information – fingerprints and a facial image.
Once the registration process is complete, the system will use the information to record the date and place of entry and exit from the EU.
The main aim of the system is to detect overstayers, modernise border management, prevent irregular migration, and ensure security for European citizens, among others.
Commenting on the EES, the Normandy Ports director, Jérôme Chauvet, warned of longer queues when entering France via its ports when the EES is implemented.
As Chauvet explained for the Connexion, Normandy Ports, which cover Cherbourg, Caen-Ouistreham and Dieppe, will mainly use tablets to register foreigners travelling by car.
Kiosks will also be placed at terminals, and people travelling with coaches will be required to go to these kiosks to complete their registration in the system.