Although the entry requirements for foreign nationals into Switzerland or any of the Schengen countries are pretty strict, citizens from selected countries can enter without a visa, and currently, there are 63 countries on the visa-free list. These citizens need an Etias Switzerland if they want to enter Switzerland for a short while.
Before now, there wasn’t any need to obtain any travel documents of any sort; all they needed to do was to show their passport at the entry point, and they would be allowed into the country, but in light of security concerns, the Schengen authorities of the respective countries decided to introduce a new documentary initiative to secure their borders. To also reduce border waiting times, including security, the European Union has introduced ETIAS, which will become active by the end of 2023.
Keep reading this article to learn more about this new initiative.
What Does ETIAS Mean?
ETIAS means the European Travel Information and Authorization System. It was announced in 2022 and will take effect from November 2023. This electronic system allows European authorities in various countries to keep track of visitors from visa-free countries who enter the Schengen Area. ETIAS is similar to the ESTA of the US government, which is also issued to citizens from visa-free countries who can enter without a visa.
The ETIAS was conceived in 2016, and ever since; it has been developed to the point where it is about to become fully operational.
The system is designed to perform detailed security checks on applicants applying for entry into the Schengen zone and determines who qualifies and who does not. So citizens of visa-free countries who did not need a visa to enter any of the Schengen countries now need ETIAS to show that they are not a security threat. Furthermore, the system will regularly update the information of visitors at regular intervals.
What Will ETIAS Be Used For?
The European Travel Information and Authorization System will be used for short visits, especially for business and tourist purposes. It will also be used by people coming into the Schengen Area for transit and medical purposes.
Information Requirements
When filling out an ETIAS form, the applicant will be required to provide their personal details. The form only takes about 10 minutes to complete and will be done online, so there will be no need to submit any paperwork. Also, the information required from you will depend on your citizenship. Here are the information you will be asked to submit
First name – Last name – Last name at your birth – Date of birth – Place of birth – Citizenship information – Phone number & Email – Address – First EU country of visit & Work Experience and Education
There is also a special background and eligibility section for medical history, whether you have traveled to a war-torn country before and countries you have rejected entry or were deported from, as well as any criminal record.
This form is also required for minors, but their parents or legal guardians must fill it out on their behalf. Parents, guardians, or family members from other EU countries must submit documents to prove their relationship, background information, and any other document.
After filling out the form, it will take a few minutes for the system to check your information; If your data is legit and you do not pose any security risk to the countries you wish to visit, you will be issued the ETIAS; however, if there is a hot the information will be transferred to manual processing where extra vetting will be done, and this may take 4 days to 2 weeks to complete.
How Much Is The ETIAS Application Fee?
The ETIAS fee is only €7 per applicant 18 years and above. Teenagers and minors below 18 years do not need to pay this fee as it is free for them. The fee will be paid with a credit or debit card, and once this is done, the ETIAS processing will commence.
Where To Apply For ETIAS?
ETIAS application will be available online on VisaHQ’s platform. The process will be quite straightforward, and you can complete it in minutes from the comfort of your home or office. Here are the simple steps to take
Visit VisaHQ
Select your country of citizenship
Select your destination
Choose ETIAS
Provide your personal information
Pay the application fee
Submit for processing
Note that the ETIAS is not a visa, and neither is it a visa replacement. If your country is not on the visa-free list and you cannot enter Switzerland without a visa, you will not be able to apply for a Schengen visa. This ETIAS Switzerland authorization is only for citizens of visa-exempt countries.