After more than five years of intense speculation, the European Travel Information and Authorization System is set to launch in November 2023. Visitors from visa-free countries will only be allowed into Schengen countries if they’ve been approved for entry by the system. Now, more information about ETIAS validity, the information required, and how the system will work has trickled in. If you are from a country on the visa-exempt list of Schengen countries, you should read this article because you qualify for ETIAS. Keep reading to know more.
ETIAS For Europe
In 2016 the European Commission announced that plans were underway to create a security system that would vet the identity of all visitors coming from visa-exempt countries to Europe.
Two years later, in 2018, the EU parliament approved the plan, and work began on the project. Towards the end of 2022, it was announced that the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) was ready to launch and would be tested in May 2023. After a six-month grace period for testing, every visitor coming to Europe will be mandated to get vetted and approved before they are allowed into any country on the continent, with the exception of the Republic of Ireland.
How Still ETIAS Work?
ETIAS is a security system that will collate an applicant’s information and screen the information against several databases like the Schengen Information System (SIS), Eurocop, Interpol, and other continental and international security databases. This system will function like the ESTA of the United States with the sole purpose of vetting visitors and deciding through data that poses a security threat to the public.
The system is swift and will take only a few minutes to run the background checks; if no security alert is triggered, the applicant will receive the approval in their email inbox. However, the application will be denied if it triggers a security alert.
The European Commission has stated that determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and that not all applications that trigger a security alert will be rejected. Some will be sent to a manual ETIAS processing unit of the country the applicant wishes to visit for further evaluation.
This evaluation process may take a few days or up to two weeks. There will also be an appeal process for those rejected.
ETIAS Validity
The European Travel Information and Authorization System Etias will be valid for three years from the moment it is approved and can be used to enter any EU country multiple times. If traveler intends to visit more than one country, they are mandated to visit the first country indicated in their application form before traveling to any other country of their choice.
ETIAS visa waiver grants the same benefits to travelers from visa free countries as before, as they will still be able to stay in any country in the Schengen area or multiple countries for up to 90 days within a 180 days period.
Countries That You Can Visit With ETIAS
Travelers with ETIAS visa waivers can visit all 27 European countries once the system becomes active, including non-Schengen countries like Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria.
They will also be able to visit micro States like The Vatican, Andorra, San Marino, and Monaco. However, ETIAS does not qualify you for visa-free entry into the Republic of Ireland as this country has a separate immigration policy. Interested visitors to Ireland will need to apply for an Irish national visa.
ETIAS Requirements
To apply for ETIAS, you will need a valid passport issued by a visa-free country with at least three months of validity from the date you intend to finish your trip and depart. Aside from this document, you will need to provide
Personal information
Security information
Health information
There are also boxes for your work history and educational qualifications. The sections for criminal records will cover information about convictions for the following crimes
Drug trafficking
Human trafficking
Rape
Sexual exploitation of children
A conviction for terrorism over the last 20 years
Please endeavor to answer all questions honestly so your application will not be blocked
Online Application
The ETIAS application will be done online, and Interested travelers can head to VisaHQ to submit their forms
Log onto VisaHQ
Select the Schengen country as your destination
Select your country of citizenship
Choose ETIAS
Complete the form
Pay the application fee
Submit for approval
The process is straightforward, and you will receive an email notification in a few minutes after your information has been screened against multiple databases.
Please remember that ETIAS validity is three years and is only meant for short visits to Europe and not for long-term visits. If you plan to stay for more than three months, apply for a visa instead.