Millions of tourists and business people visiting
Europe will have to complete a 5 euro ($5.35) 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 expected to back on Wednesday, 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 around 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.
The scheme, to be sent for approval to governments and
the European Parliament, is intended to be self-financing through the
application fee. The Commission estimates its set-up costs at around 200
million euros and annual running costs at 85 million.
It would also address European concerns over plans to
expand visa-free travel in the coming years to two big neighbors, Turkey and
Ukraine, and would apply immediately to people from non-EU states in the
Balkans such as Albania and Serbia.
Known as ETIAS and similar to the U.S. ESTA system,
the scheme would within minutes give most people a five-year clearance for
multiple trips. EU officials hope it could be up and running after legislative
approval by early next decade.
The U.S. ESTA, valid for two years, costs $14, while
Canada's similar eTA, valid for five years, costs C$7 ($5.21). Japan does not
charge a fee for visitors from visa-waiver countries.
(Reporting by Alastair Macdonald; editing by Philip
Blenkinsop and John Stonestreet)
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