Passport Control

Authorities are working on plans to introduce pass control at the airport of Longyearbyen. Spitsbergen is under Norwegian sovereignty, but has a special status due to the regulations of the Spitsbergen treaty that is in force. Since 2001, Norway is part of the Schengen system, but this does not include Spitsbergen. This can lead to problems for travellers who are registered inside the Schengen system, but who are not registered when they leave Schengen when travelling from Norway to Spitsbergen. Pass control on Longyearbyen would eliminate this problem, although it would be unpopular in Longyearbyen and Norway. Final details remain to be determined.

Source: Svalbardposten and Barents Observer