Have you heard about ETIAS for UK citizens? If you have not, brace yourself for the changes about to take effect in November 2023 as the European Commission has announced new changes to their immigration policy, particularly for visitors coming to Europe from Visa free countries. Keep reading to learn more about the new EU regulations.
Do I Need ETIAS For UK Citizens?
Since the United Kingdom left the European Union through Brexit, British citizens have been allowed to visit the continent for a short time without a visa. Shortly after the exit, many citizens feared that the policy would change and they would need access to further trips, but this has not been the case.
However, the European Commission announced in 2016 that come 2023, a new security system will be launched to vet the visitors coming to any of the Schengen countries in Europe for short visits.
What Is The ETIAS For UK Citizens?
ETIAS means Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System, an integrated online security system designed to check the details of all visitors planning to come to Europe’s Schengen region. This security system screens information using different security databases. The commission introduced the initiative to make Schengen Europe more secure after recent terrorist attacks and threats within and outside Europe.
ETIAS visa waiver will be valid for three years, and holders will be allowed to stay in any part of the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within six months. The application will be online based, so applicants don’t have to visit the respective embassies of any other countries to obtain it.
The application will take only a few minutes to complete, and the request will be granted if the applicant poses no security risk. However, if the submission triggers a security alert, such information will be forwarded to the manual unit for vetting, which may take up to 2 weeks before q final verdict is issued.
The European Commission has stated that applicants who are denied entry can appeal the verdict, and those rejected will still be able to apply for another ETIAS. Request denial will not lead to permanent prevention.
Will UK Citizens Need ETIAS?
UK citizens will need ETIAS to enter Schengen Europe. This permit is not issued at the airport on arrival, so you have to apply for it and get it before traveling.
ETIAS Requirement For UK Citizens
Here are the requirements for ETIAS if you are from the United Kingdom.
Passport: You will need a UK passport to self identify as a British citizen. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of three months from the departure date. Furthermore, it must have a minimum of at least two blank pages for visa stamps. A passport issued over ten years ago will be rejected at the entry point.
Card: A credit or debit card will be required to pay the application fee for ETIAS online.
Active Email Address: An active email address is required to get correspondence regarding the status of your application.
Form: The ETIAS application form must be filled out with accurate details.
ETIAS Information For UK Citizens
When filling out the form, you must provide the following information.
Personal Data: Full name, place of birth, date, and gender.
Contact Details: Email Address, phone number, and address.
Passport information: Passport number, date of issue, expiry date, and country of issue.
Travel plans: The Schengen country you intend to visit
Additional information may be required, so endeavor to provide only valid information because what you submit will be cross-checked with security systems.
After submitting this information, the system will communicate the success or failure of your application by mail.
How To Apply For ETIAS?
You can apply for ETIAS online as a UK citizen in a few steps, as explained below
Visit VisaHQ
Select the Schengen country to visit as your destination
Select the UK as your citizenship
Choose ETIAS
Complete the application form
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
You will get feedback in a matter of minutes unless your details trigger a security alert.
How Much Is The Processing Fee?
The processing fee is €7, payable with a debit or credit card. Kindly note that this fee is non-refundable and is not a guarantee that your ETIAS application will be approved. The fee is only for applicants between 18-70 years, and those outside this age bracket will not pay the fee.
ETIAS is set to launch by November 2023 and will be mandatory for UK citizens. You will be able to apply for ETIAS for UK citizens on VisaHQ online application platform when the time comes. Bookmark this page if you must, and get ready for the changes.