Videoconference, 9 March 2023 — The ECAC Facilitation Sub-Group on Immigration met virtually for the first time in 2023 for its 55th meeting. Participants shared information on the increasing efforts of Member States – both non-EU and EU – to prepare for the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) changes through a range of measures at the border, including additional training and procurement of staff, the testing of new technologies, and innovative passenger processing ideas. Evolving issues relating to Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR) were also discussed.
Efficient ways to share information on the breadth of innovative technology trials and pilot schemes were identified as tasks to take forward under facilitation immigration matters, and the group also undertook to look in more detail at passport “chip” data access rules and practices across different ECAC Member States and third countries.