The European Parliament established the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in 2018. The electronic visa system will pre-screen travelers currently granted visa-free access within the Schengen region. The ETIAS program was initially scheduled to enter into effect in 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now expected to be fully operational by 2025.
ETIAS visa waivers will be required for travelers from 60 currently visa-free countries. The ETIAS visa waiver must first be requested before travel. Once granted, it can be used for up to 3 years or until the expiration date of the applicant’s passport. ETIAS applications require that travelers have a valid biometric passport. They must also submit an application containing personal, family, or national details. In addition to answering questions about travel, criminal history, employment history, and other security information, they must also provide additional security information. The applicant information is checked against the Schengen Information System, Europol, Interpol, and Europol security databases. Approved applications can be tied to a person’s passport. While applicants should keep their approvals for personal records, travelers will not need to present the approval upon arrival in a Schengen nation.
ETIAS visa waiver program is based upon (and similar to) the American ESTA and Canadian eTA systems. According to their experience, approximately 95% of all ETIAS applications are approved. This approval will be communicated to applicants within a short time after submission. ETIAS visa waiver programs will not require fingerprinting or collecting other biometric data. This program will be available to approximately 30 million annual visitors to the EU. It allows them to be screened prior to entry to ensure that no one enters the Schengen region posing a risk to their health, security, and migration.
It has been confirmed that British citizens are eligible for the ETIAS visa waiver program. They will need to apply for an ETIAS waiver to be able to enter any ETIAS country. The ETIAS visa waiver is mandatory for all countries. British citizens can only stay in Schengen for three months. A tourist visa, study visa, or business visa is required for longer stays.
The EU anticipates that the ETIAS visa waiver program will be fully in place by 2025. A six-month adjustment period will begin mid-year.
What are the ETIAS countries?
The ETIAS is valid for third-country nationals who can travel visa-free to the EU Schengen area. The countries that require an ETIAS for entry are mentioned below.
Some of these countries also offer terrific EU residence programs.
Schengen Member Countries
- Austria
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- The Netherlands
- Germany
- France
- Spain
- Portugal
- Sweden
- Finland
- Denmark
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Estonia
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Slovenia
- Italy
- Greece
- The Czech Republic
- Malta
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Member Countries
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
Non-Schengen EU Countries
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Romania
De Facto Members (Micro States)
- Monaco
- San Marino
- The Vatican
It is crucial to ensure that you are able to fulfill the ETIAS requirements to fill out the online form.
You will need these all, even if your application is via our online form.
- A passport should be valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry.
- To pay for your ETIAS, a debit or credit card or a Paypal account.
- An email address that is valid for the ETIAS to be sent.
ETIAS does not provide visas. It is a visa waiver program similar to the ESTA program in the United States, which was launched in 2008.
It does not replace visas. It is quicker than a visa, can be done online (like ESTA), requires no biometric data, and takes less time to process. It is, however, much like the ESTA visa, subject to a fee.
EU tourists are exempt and can freely move around the bloc. This allows them to travel as much as they like in many countries. The scheme will not apply to EU citizens, regardless of their nationality.
The ETIAS will now be mandatory for anyone entering the bloc from a country that didn’t require a visa. This move will affect 60 countries, including the UK and the US. They lost freedom of movement following Brexit. Nothing has changed for those who had previously required a visa to enter.
According to a memo from the EU, approval will be granted within minutes for approximately 95% of applicants. In “exceptional cases,” approval can take up to a month. Any applicant whose application has been denied an appeal.
ETIAS authorization is valid for unlimited entries within three years. Holders must adhere to immigration and overstay rules. Third-party nationals can not stay in the bloc for more than 90 days per 180-day period.
How will ETIAS work?
Complete the Application Form
The European travel information authorization scheme was designed with ease in mind.
To begin the ETIAS process, tourists who plan to travel to Europe in the future will need to complete an online application.
The entire form can be completed digitally without needing to fill out any paperwork.
To apply, applicants will need to have a valid passport. The application will require information such as your name, work experience, and the first European Union country you plan to visit. It also asks for any criminal records, background, eligibility questions, etc.
The form is straightforward and should only take 10 minutes to complete. The ETIAS fee can be paid by credit or debit card after you have completed the form.
Allow The System to Evaluate Your Application
The system will evaluate your information after you have submitted the application.
It will verify your credentials and all other details you have mentioned. It will also examine your criminal record with the law enforcement authorities to determine if you pose a threat to European countries.
If your information is correct, the system will grant you a green signal and give your ETIAS application approval.
95% of applicants can expect approval in a matter of minutes.
What about the unlucky minority?
What happens if an ETIAS application is rejected?
It is easy to apply for ETIAS. You will get a message within minutes confirming your status.
If the system flags your application, it will still be manually processed. Manual processing can take anywhere from 96 hours up to 2 weeks at most.
If a rejection is made, applicants will be informed of the reasons for the refusal. They can appeal this decision. If they feel the information they provided was incorrect, they can reapply.
Although it may not be a visa for you, ETIAS is required for British citizens to enter European countries. Persons without valid ETIAS authorization cannot be admitted to any EU country.
UPDATE:
The European Commission has postponed the launch of its ETIAS visa waiver scheme, which will see all non-EU passport holders need pre-trip permission to enter the bloc.
ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, had been announced starting in Spring 2025.
According to a new memo issued by the European Commission, it will now be operational by 2025.
