Code : BMVI-068-095
Project duration : 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Budget : € 3,333,333.33 (€ 2,500,000.00 by BMVI & € 833,333.33 by the national budget)
Objectives & Context
In the context of the reinforcement of the European (external) borders (Schengen zone), the initiative was taken at the European level to create a number of databases that would allow better monitoring of entry and exit movements, travel authorizations, signings and visa applications. These include the Entry/Exit system (EES), Visa Information System (VIS), the European Traveller Information & Authorization System (ETIAS), Schengen Information System (SIS), ECRIS-TCN and Eurodac. This can be further captured under the heading of Smart Borders. There is also the interoperability project to make all these databases work together.
An obligation is imposed on the member states concerned, including Belgium, to connect to these systems so that borders can be further strengthened. At the level of Belgium, the Immigration Office is impacted to act as a back-office authority to carry out controls and feed the systems with relevant information.
The challenge for the Immigration Department lies in building a set of functionalities that will enable Immigration Department staff to work with these European databases. Moreover, care must be taken that the Smart Borders application is built in such a way that the different systems are interoperable with each other. Therefore, we are building one Smart Borders application.
Objectives
- Participate in sharing and building information across different services and member states;
- Control entry and exit movements, travel authorizations and visa applications.
- Improve the visibility of overstayers.
- Assist in identification of third-country nationals and fraud prevention.
- Screening of third-country nationals before entering the Schengen zone with a view to improving security and preventing risks in the territory.
Project methodology
The project proceeds through a number of phases. It starts with an analysis phase where the requirements (business, functional, technical) are clarified. We talk internally about the MVRP (minimal viable requirements package) process. This MVRP path is embedded in a deliverable-based approach to project management. There will be a decent roadmap where the project is divided into a series of deliverables (business analysis, GAP analysis, functional analysis, change management plan, solution architecture,...). It allows the project manager to shape his project without forgetting essential elements.
Concrete approach of the Smart Borders project: The focus is initially on the development of the SIS module. After that the development of EES and the interoperability of VIS will be carried out. When finishing the previous stage, the link with the ETIAS will be added in the Smart Borders application. Next, the interoperability between these systems needs to be finalized. Deliverables will be prioritized according to the European deployment schedule. The current cycle will be continued. The project has already started.
The following dates were set by Europe for the start of the different databases:
- SIS Entry into Operation (EiO): 03/2023 - Currently, the link with this database is being implemented in the Federal Police environment, but the DVZ is in the process of delivering the Smart Borders Module, scheduled to go live on 05/2024.
- EES Entry into Operation (EiO): 10/2024
- VIS Interoperability (IO) EiO: 10/2024
- ETIAS EiO: 04/2025
- IO finalization: 12/25
- Eurodac EiO: to be determined by Europe.
- ECRIS-TCN: impact on DVZ yet to be determined.
The ambition within this project is to respect the European schedule.
(version 5th of March 2024)