Are people with short-stay visas exempt from EES?
Citizens of some countries do not benefit from visa-free access to bloc
The Entry/Exit System will track how long certain people stay inside the Schengen Zone
Savvapanf Photo / Shutterstock
Reader Question: My wife is from Indonesia so already requires a short-stay visa to enter the Schengen Zone. Will she be impacted by EES?
People of nationalities that require a short-stay visa – Indonesians, Indians, Nigerians, Pakistanis, Chinese, etc – will be impacted by the Entry/Exit System (EES) when it comes into force from October 12.
They must register with the system when crossing into the Schengen Zone, as they are limited to not spending more than 90 days in the area. They will not have to give fingerprints again as their prints will already be in the system.
Residents/residency card holders, long-stay visa holders (who can spend more than three months in a single Schengen Zone country) and EU citizens are the only groups not impacted.
Note, spouses of EU citizens will also be affected.
However, citizens of nationalities that require a short-stay visa will not be impacted by the upcoming Etias visa-waiver regulations.
This is because they will have already had to undergo visa formalities when applying for their short-stay visa.
Etias is set to come into force after the EES has been fully rolled out.
How will new EU border changes affect you?
Connexion subscribers can read our help guide to the EES and Etias for free on the Subscriber Resources page here.
If you are not subscribed to the Connexion either click here to subscribe or click here to purchase the guide for €9.50.
