Millions of tourists and business people visiting Europe will have to complete an online security check before arrival, if an EU plan to tighten controls on foreigners who do not need visas wins approval.
The system, which the bloc’s executive European Commission is likely to back today, would check people’s identity documents and residence details against a variety of EU security and crime databases.
Following Islamic State attacks in France and Belgium and the chaotic mass arrival of migrants and refugees in Greece, the executive hopes screening can close loopholes at its borders for violent militants, criminals and would-be illegal immigrants.
It would affect citizens of about 60 countries who can visit Europe’s Schengen area for short trips without first applying for a visa, including Americans, Japanese and -depending on what arrangements London negotiates for leaving the EU – potentially Britons too.
It would also address European concerns regarding plans to expand visa-free travel in the coming years to its two neighbours, Turkey and Ukraine, and would apply immediately to people from non-EU states in the Balkans such as Albania and Serbia. EU officials hope it could be up and running after legislative approval by early next decade.