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Updated June 2023
Are you planning to travel to Europe next year? You may now need to jump through an additional hoop through ETIAS. ETIAS is not a visa or any particular document to carry, and not every traveller to Europe is eligible to apply for it.
So, what exactly is ETIAS? Read on to find out.
Table of Contents
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is a form of electronic travel authorization. The ETIAS will now be launched and will become fully operational in 2024. Therefore, travellers having a visa-free agreement with the European Union and visiting Europe from 2024 onwards will be required to obtain an approved ETIAS online prior to their departure.
ETIAS is not a visa, but rather a form of a security check or visa waiver. ETIAS aims to strengthen European security by screening travellers before they enter the Schengen Area. In addition, the ETIAS procedure will determine whether or not a nation is permitted to enter the Schengen Area.
Finally, the ETIAS will decide if a person poses a security danger to any Schengen nations by cross-checking information against multiple databases.
ETIAS news & updates
The European Union (EU) once again postponed the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The regulation is now expected to be fully operational by the end of the first half of 2024.
The ETIAS was initially scheduled to become fully operational by May 2023. However, the EU Commission delayed the implementation to November 2023. In the latest update, the commission revealed that the program will be applied at the end of the first half of 2024. Therefore, travellers having a visa-free agreement with the European Union and visiting Europe starting mid-2024 onwards will be required to obtain an approved ETIAS online prior to their departure.
Also, beware of fraudulent scam websites which, albeit looking official, extract sensitive information from travellers. Make sure to look for the “europa.eu” domain, URLs ending in dot com or dot org should raise concern.
How to apply for ETIAS?
Eligibilty
ETIAS is applicable only to nations that already have a visa-free agreement with the European Union. They are:
- Albania
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- North Macedonia
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent
- Samoa
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu (temporarily suspended until further notice)
- Venezuela
Documents required
A biometric passport is the only formal document required to complete the online application. The application will also need a debit or credit card, as well as an email address. Biometric passports are favoured because of the security benefits they provide, such as preventing unauthorized viewing or “skimming” of passport information – but are not compulsory.
Application process
The procedure to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is quite easy. All you have to do is fill out a simple online ETIAS application form to receive ETIAS travel permission. In addition, applicants must provide their personal information such as their name, date of birth, address, and information about their travel and security questions.
Permission would be granted in as little as a few minutes. Thus, the entire online application and registration procedure will take no more than 10-20 minutes per applicant.
ETIAS fees
Applying for ETIAS authorization will cost you 7 euros.
Travellers under the age of 18 and over the age of 70 will have to apply for ETIAS, but are exempted from the fee.
ETIAS validity
Short-term visits of up to 90 days are permitted under the ETIAS travel authorization. When visiting any area of the Schengen Area, tourists and business travellers will be required to obtain an authorized ETIAS. ETIAS travel permission, if issued, can be utilized for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
