When filling out the ETIAS application form, there are some ETIAS health questions you must answer.
These questions are related to your current medical state and will help Schengen countries determine whether you qualify to be allowed through their borders.
ETIAS Visa Waiver for 2023
ETIAS is the new security system introduced by the European Commission and is set to become active by November 2023. This security system operates online and will be used to screen the information of interested visitors who wish to visit any of the Schengen countries of Europe. The form is designed as a questionnaire containing sections for personal information, security information, and health information. Once the form is completed and submitted online, the system will run the information across several databases.
If there is no hit, the ETIAS will be approved, and the applicant can visit Europe, but if it triggers a security alert, the application will be rejected. In some cases, it may be forwarded to a manual processing unit for a review team to check and decide whether the approval should be granted to the affected applicant or not.
Checking The Health Status of Visitors
One of the significant concerns of Schengen countries is the tracking of the health status of visitors to prevent future health emergencies and crises in Europe like the recent Covid virus spread.
Due to the social cost of taking care of visitors with medical conditions, visitors are expected to hold active health insurance of €30,000, which will cover any medical expenses they may incur during their time in any of the Schengen countries. However, Covid struck and upended the health policies of governments in the continent.
With the introduction of ETIAS, all visitors will be mandated to provide basic information regarding their health status once the system goes into force. By collating visitors' medical information, the authorities can decide who to let into their country and who to keep out. They will also be able to track the movement of visitors who may have visited regions or countries affected by a pandemic or epidemic.
ETIAS Health Questions
The health questions on the ETIAS form are about serious infections, parasites, or contagious viruses that may pose serious risks to the health and wellness of European citizens. A special section in the application form addresses health concerns in the form of questions. Applicants are advised to answer the questions truthfully and completely, with no field left untended.
The information provided will be screened against a security database for any health risk and also through the medical database. The European Union countries may not have the complete medical data of an applicant it any data at all, but they scan for medical trends like a disease outbreak in their country and use that information to determine whether they pose any health risk.
Applicants are advised to be sincere with their declaration, as their application will be rejected if they declare falsehoods. Lying on the form about whether you require medical attention to treat any ailment is another ground for rejection if the lie is discovered.
Another cause for rejection is if you have any existing medical condition that may pose a challenge to the health service of the country you intend to visit. If you are a regular visitor and such discrepancies are spotted, this alone can be grounds for future entry denials.
How To Apply For ETIAS Online
Once the ETIAS application becomes mandatory, applicants must go online to fill out the form and submit it for approval. You do not need to visit an embassy or visa application center or wait several weeks or months to get your application approved. Once you submit the form online, you will get an email notification in a few minutes.
You will be able to fill out and submit the ETIAS form on VisaHQ by doing the following
Log onto VisaHQ
Select the Schengen country you wish to visit as your destination
Select your country of citizenship
Chose ETIAS
Fill out the form correctly
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
Before you hit the submit button, check your information for errors, as you will not be able to make any corrections afterward.
ETIAS Application Fee
The application fee for ETIAS will be €7, but this fee is only mandatory for applicants between the ages of 18-70. Applicants outside this age bracket enjoy a few waivers to apply for ETIAS for free. The fee is payable with a credit or debit card and is non-refundable.
When filling out the form, endeavor to answer all ETIAS health questions honestly and correctly. Leave no vital information and ensure that all the necessary fields are completed to avoid application rejection.