Finland Announces A Temporary Suspension Of DTC Border Controls

For the time being, departure and arrival passengers at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport will not be subject to the Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) checks.

The suspension was officially implemented on November 20. This step is a response to the present scenario at the eastern border, the Finnish Border Guard reported.

A further emphasis was placed on the fact that the temporary suspension of DTC border inspections is a precautionary measure. Additionally, the same border guard underlined that regular border check processes would continue as they have been in the past.

This ensures that routine travel arrangements will not be inconvenienced in the event that the DTC system has a breakdown. Presenting one's passport at the border checkpoint will allow all travellers to continue with their trip without any more interruptions.

In regards to DTC registrations, the Finnish Border Guard clarified that the procedure may still be followed as per the normal at police service locations.

In August of this year, Finland made history by being the first nation in the world to begin the testing of digital travel papers. Every Finn who is interested in the initiative has had the opportunity to try out digital travel papers ever since it was first introduced. The period of time during which the digital travel papers are being tested started at the end of August and will continue until February 2024.

Finnish nationals aboard Finnair flights to Manchester, London, and Edinburgh were testing DTC up to the ban. Travellers doing the same routes back to Finland have also tested the document.

According to the explanation provided by the authorities in Finland, DTC makes it possible for everyone to pass through the border controls more quickly and without having to wait in line for an extended amount of time. In light of the fact that the authorities claim that the examination of the DTC takes just around 10 seconds, a greater number of people have been urged to test the document after the suspension has been removed.

In response to a question about the benefits of DTC, the Finnish Border Guard said that the document guarantees a hassle-free experience and is just as trustworthy as the traditional passport. The border agency further emphasized that the DTC system allows for a seamless and expedient passage of borders without jeopardizing the safety of travellers.

DTC, developed in Finland, was recently named one of the most innovative "Apps and Software" developments.

 

Source: schengenvisainfo.com