European Travel Information and Authorisation System

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is a new visa waiver, otherwise known as the European Travel Information and Authorization System. The purpose behind ETIAS’s creation by European Union was to strengthen and protect its borders, as well as the EU residents and visitors. ETIAS visa waiver program for Europe aims to identify potential threats and risks that could be associated with visitors traveling to any Schengen Area country. You must go through the ETIAS authorization processes to enter a Schengen country. 

You are eligible for the visa waiver program if you are a citizen of any country that does not require a travel visa to enter Europe. From 2023, eligible travelers 2023 must apply for an ETIAS travel permit. ETIAS for Europe grants travelers permission to visit 26 Schengen Zone members. This region includes countries that recognize eliminating all internal borders with other members. 

Currently, 59 countries will need to apply for ETIAS visa waivers when visiting the Schengen Zone. As per the latest information, ETIAS is expected to be available to even more countries shortly. ETIAS visa waivers are applicable to short-term stays up to 90 days. Tourists and business travelers will need to have an approved ETIAS before traveling to any Schengen member country.

Countries that will need ETIAS for traveling in Europe

There are currently 59 countries on the list of the ETIAS program.

Those nationals with citizenship in one of the 59 countries under the visa-free travel agreement do not need visas to visit Europe. ETIAS intends to pre-screen these travelers. This way, the system will avoid risks associated with terrorism, pandemics, and other criminal activities. Information provided by applicants will be checked across security databases.

There are several purposes for which ETIAS visa waivers will apply. They will be available for short-term and business/ leisure stays. After acquiring it, ETIAS is valid for three years or until your passport expires. However, everyone planning to stay in Europe to study or work for longer than 90 days will need to apply for a different visa.

The EU established ETIAS to increase security in the Schengen Area. Visa-free travelers will still need to pass a security screening before arriving in the EU.

How does ETIAS work?

All travelers who want to travel to Europe via the Schengen Zone will be able to access the visa waiver, ETIAS online. To obtain an ETIAS travel permit, travelers must meet all requirements.

To apply online for ETIAS applicants must have a valid passport and an email address.

They also need to have a debit/credit card to pay the application fee.

These are the basic ETIAS requirements to apply for the European visa waiver.

ETIAS applications only require basic biographical information, including full name, birth date, and country of residence. The applicant must provide details of their passport when completing the ETIAS form. There will be security and health questions at the end of the process.

Most applications can be processed in minutes. Each application is checked against a variety of security databases. These databases include SIS, VIS and EUROPOL DATA. Interpol is another example. ETIAS has its own screening rules and watchlist. After an applicant has submitted a revised application, he or she will receive a confirmation message containing the travel authorization to the email address that was provided.

ETIAS cannot be used for business, transit or tourism travel. However, it can be used to waive visa requirements for students and workers for stays up to 90 days. Travel agents will request ETIAS before the start of their trip. An ETIAS without which you are denied entry to Schengen countries could lead to serious consequences. As of 2023, travel authorization is a mandatory requirement.

When will ETIAS will be mandatory?

Officially, the European Commission announced that the ETIAS travel authorization program will be a reality by the end of 2023. ETIAS will be implemented by the EU Parliament and Commission.

Development will begin immediately.

All citizens of the EU ETIAS visa-free countries will need to apply for a travel authorization before they can travel once it becomes operational. They can still travel to Europe, however, for the moment, without a travel authorization.