As of now, 3797 citizens of third countries have been registered in the new Entry and Exit System (IIS), the State Border Guard (SBG) reported to the LETA agency.
The system began operating on Sunday. In the first 24 hours after the launch of the new system in Latvia — as well as in other European countries — 2007 citizens of third countries were registered, and by October 14 at 8:30 AM, the number reached 3797 people.
As noted by the State Border Guard (SBG), the implementation of the Entry and Exit System (IIS) ensures the modernization and improvement of control at the external borders of the European Union, facilitates a more even and rapid passage through border control, prevents illegal migration, and strengthens security both at the external borders of the EU and within the Union itself.
In connection with the launch of the system, the SBG urges citizens of third countries to allow more time for passing through border control, as in addition to checking travel documents, biometric data — a facial photograph or fingerprints — must also be collected upon the first crossing of the border since the launch of the IIS.
The SBG notes that the new system is more modern and efficient compared to the previous order, as it will gradually replace stamps in passports with digital registration of entry, exit, and refusals of entry, thereby speeding up the border control process and facilitating the work of border guards.
