What is the new ETIAS visa waiver, and how does it work?
ETIAS will perform pre-travel screening for travelers who have visa-free access within the Schengen Area. This allows the Member States to refuse authorization to anyone they consider to be a security risk, irregular migration, or public health threat. Visa-free travelers must have valid travel documentation and an ETIAS authorization to cross any external Schengen border.
ETIAS will cross-check the identity data submitted by travelers in their applications against various databases. Any concern about a particular application will be verified further and manually processed.
ETIAS was designed to be a quick, easy, and user-friendly system. The online application should take less than 10 minutes, and approval should be granted within a few minutes for more than 95%.
The response time may be extended if the ETIAS Central Unit must manually handle the case. Frontex manages this. In exceptional cases, applicants may need additional information. Additional procedural steps might be required. Within 96 hours, the traveler will either receive the final response or request additional documentation.
Border guards at Schengen Area’s border crossing points will scan documents electronically to register the traveler in the Entry/Exit System. This triggers an ETIAS query. Travelers with valid travel authorization will be allowed to continue their journey provided all other entry conditions are met. Border guards will refuse entry to any traveler who does not have a valid ETIAS travel authorization.
What is the ETIAS fee?
The one-time ETIAS fee will be charged to all travelers. Travelers under 18 years old and over 70 years old are exempt from this payment. The authorization is valid for three years and can be used for unlimited entries. The travel authorization may be revoked or canceled if the conditions for issuing it are not met. After payment of the fee by applicants aged 18-70, the ETIAS application can be processed. A decision will be made within minutes.
When will travelers need to apply for ETIAS?
Although the launch date for the ETIAS has yet to be confirmed, it is expected that the ETIAS will go live in 2025.
ETIAS registration will be mandatory by 2025. However, there will be a transition period of six months to allow travelers to get used to the new entry requirements.
It will take approximately 10 minutes to fill out the online application. You must complete it at least 96 hours prior to departure.
All EU-bound travelers must complete the visa except those under 18 or over 70.
The applicants will need to provide information about their identity and passports, education, employment, and recent travels.
Before allowing passengers to board the plane, airlines will need to verify the visa.
UPDATE:
The European Union has delayed the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System for six more months. This delay will take place from 2025.
The travel authorization was scheduled to be fully operational in 2025. The EU Commission updated the date to 2025 without any official announcement or warning.
“ETIAS will be operational in 2025,” has the Commission updated information on a page describing the ETIAS under Migration and Home Affairs.
What are the ETIAS countries?
ETIAS will become available in 2025 for 26 European destinations. This includes 22 EU member countries and 4 non-European Union member countries: Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.
The Schengen area also includes 3 microstates, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. These states maintain open or semi-open borders with other Schengen countries.
ETIAS will waive the requirement for a visa to travel to Europe from 2025 for all citizens who don’t currently require one. Only eligible foreigners willing to travel within and to the Schengen Area to visit for short periods will be allowed to apply.
Many countries in the European Union, including Ireland, have opted out of the Schengen area and continue to meet their own entry requirements.
Others countries that have recently joined the European Union, including Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus, have not yet signed the Schengen Agreement but may require ETIAS. Contact us or keep in touch to get updated information regarding the changing regulations to enter Europe.
