The European Travel Information and Authorization System, ETIAS, will become mandatory for visitors come November 2023. At that point, visitors from visa-free countries will need more than just their passports to enter any Schengen European countries. They will also need to secure ETIAS approval before making the trip; otherwise, they will be turned back at the entry point. Ever since the announcement, many have asked whether an Etias dial citizen will still need this approval to enter Europe. Keep reading this post to have your question answered.
Obtaining an ETIAS visa waiver
ETIAS is not a visa but a waiver that screens visitors from visa exempt countries before they can enter any Schengen country. This system is still largely untested and will be partially implemented by May and implemented by November but will dial citizens with one-half of European nationality require it.
ETIAS Dual Citizen
Unlike a century ago when most people were of a single nationality, the world is fast becoming an integrated community with many people having dual citizenship.
This creates an excellent opportunity for documentation and program implementation. Today, many countries allow their citizens to hold dual nationality (that is, two passports), and the ones that refuse dual nationality are becoming fewer by the day.
So whether you will still need ETIAS if you have two passports and one is European will depend on the law of the country you intend to visit.
Dual Citizenship Acceptance
For starters, whether you need an ETIAS if you have dual citizenship will depend on whether the country you wish to visit accepts people having double citizenship. If you have European ancestry and have proved it, some countries will issue you their passport and not ask you to renounce your other citizenship.
Many European countries recognize dual citizenship; for instance, countries like Italy and France account for dual citizenship. If you visit such countries despite having another citizenship, you will not need ETIAS because you will be entering those countries as a citizen, not a foreigner.
All you will need is to show your passport at the airport.
Many other Schengen member States that recognize dual citizenship are Belgium, Czech, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Germany (only with other EU countries), Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Slovenia, Portugal, Norway, Malta, Luxembourg, and Latvia.
There are a few other countries in Europe that recognize dual citizenship. If you hold any of their passports, you don’t need an ETIAS or even a visa, for that matter, to visit them.
Traveling With Two Passports
It is not uncommon to find people traveling with two passports; whether you travel with two or one passports is your choice to make it; there are some benefits associated with holding two passports.
Firstly, you may enjoy visa free benefits when traveling to some countries due to your possession of one passport, and you will not have to pay the visa fees associated with such visa applications. For instance, if you hold one passport from a Schengen country, you don’t need to apply for a visa or ETIAS since you will be entering that country as a citizen.
Secondly, you don’t have to spend money on application fees or wait weeks for a visa to be out before making the trip. You can simply travel at short notice and get to your destination on time. Thirdly, in countries where a visa is granted upon arrival, you will skip the queue and go straight to the check in point at the immigration stand instead of waiting to have your application approved.
These are some benefits of traveling with two passports, especially as it has to do with ETIAS.
How To Apply For ETIAS?
ETIAS will not be required for those with dual citizenship. Once you arrive at the airport, you will be asked to show your passport. As long as it’s a European passport and is valid, you will be let through. ETIAS will only be for those who are not European citizens but citizens of visa-free countries.
They must provide information about a Valid passport that will not expire for the next three months from the day of their departure from the Schengen area. Aside from the passport, they must also provide their personal information, such as their
Name
Parent’s first names
Date of birth
Place of birth
Passport information
Education
Work/profession
Criminal record, if any
Trips to war-torn countries, if any
Medical record
Applicants must provide these details accurately when completing their application online on VisaHQ through these few steps
Visit VisaHQ
Select the country as your destination
Select your country of citizenship
Choose ETIAS
Fill out the Form
Pay the fee
Submit for approval
This application process is not for visitors with dual nationality visiting most Schengen countries where ETIAS dual citizen is recognized.