Do you need ETIAS for Malta? As a foreign national planning a trip to Malta, do you need to show the new ETIAS document at the airport in Valletta to be allowed into the Island? In light of the recent changes to the European Union’s travel law, it is imperative to know how the law will affect your travel plans, and this is what we aim to address in this post.
Traveling To Malta On Tour or Business
Travelers to Malta in the coming months should know that the new travel policy introduced by the EU will go into effect by 2024 and affect those from visa-free countries. The new European Travel Information and Authorization System is an electronic approval system that vets the identity of all those coming into the Island from visa exempt countries. ETIAS is designed to screen visitors and to keep Europe safe from criminal elements.
Travelers from over 60 countries will be affected, so they must obtain ETIAS in order to enjoy their engagements on the Island. The application will take only a few minutes since it requires only a few documents and information, but once it is approved, it will remain valid for three years.
The benefit of ETIAS is that you can use it to enter 26 other Schengen countries, including The Vatican, Andorra, and Monaco Principality. Schengen countries have all adopted Etias due to the uniformity of their travel policies.
Malta Travel Information
Malta became an official member of the EU in 2004 and a Schengen state in 2007. It is one of the smallest nations in the EU, with a population of below 500,000 who live in the country. According to historical data, it was once a part of the European mainland thousands of years ago, which formed mountaintops near Sicily and the Italian mainland. Due to the deluge, it broke off and became an island.
Most Maltese love outside Malta more than on the Island itself, with many scattered across different continents. The official currency is the Euros whole, and tourism is the major revenue earner for the Island. Ships sailing and the Mediterranean also make brief stops to take in supplies.
Do I Need ETIAS For Malta?
You only need Etias for Malta if you are eligible for visa-free entry. Those who require visas do not qualify for ETIAS. Travelers should note that ETIAS is not a visa but a visa waiver for visitors from the US, Japan, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Israel, Hong Kong, South Korea, and a host of others. Once the approval is issued, the holder can travel to and from Malta as they wish all year round, but they will not be allowed to stay for more than 90 days.
Before making the trip, always double-check to be sure of your eligibility before applying.
Malta Etias Passport Requirements
Only a machine-readable passport can be used to apply for ETIAS, and it must be valid for at least 6 months or more. The validity must cover the time you spend on the Island or any other Schengen country. Secondly, Etias will expire once the passport linked to it expires, which is why travelers are advised to use passports with extended validity. Furthermore, you cannot use a different passport to apply for ETIAS, separate from the one you travel with. The passport for application and traveling should be the same.
How to Apply For ETIAS?
The European Travel Information and Authorization System is available online, so all applicants must complete and submit the online form. This form is available on VisaHQ, so do the following to complete yours.
Visit VisaHQ
Choose Malta as your destination
Choose your country
Fill out that ETIAS application form correctly
Upload the passport bio page and other documents
Pay the fee with a credit or debit card
Submit for approval
Malta Application Requirements
All applicants must provide the following information, and only accurate and truthful information will be accepted. If they submit false information and are caught, their application will be rejected.
Personal Information: A section for personal information must be provided. Personal data like the full name, gender, date of birth, and place of birth must be provided.
Passport Information: Passport number, date of issue, and expiry date must be provided.
Travel Information: Under travel information, the authorities want to know if you have been deported from any country before or have visited a pandemic-ravaged or war-torn country.
There will also be questions about your medical record and whether you have a past criminal history. Only honest and accurate information will be entertained.
Do I need Etias for Malta? You do if you are from a visa-exempt country. Eligible applicants can visit VisaHQ to apply for it.