Eligibility of ETIAS

  • As a launch member, the United States of America shall be included in the ETIAS.
  • In 2025, American citizens will have the opportunity to apply for ETIAS.
  • An online application system for ETIAS will be available for American citizens for their benefit.

Other Requirements for ETIAS

  • An online option will allow American citizens to apply for ETIAS.
  • For travel to Europe via air, sea, or land, the ETIAS authorisation is valid to be used.
  • An e-passport that is machine readable is necessary for all the travelers.
  • ETIAS is intended to be used for short visits, such as for tourism, business, transit and medical purposes.
  • ETIAS will be free of charge for those who apply who are either under 18 or above 70 years of age.

Starting in 2025, American citizens will be required to obtain an ETIAS in order to enter participating European countries for short-term stays of up to 90 days. The purpose of the ETIAS program is to screen travelers arriving from outside of Europe for the purposes of general travel, commerce, or medical reasons.

The ETIAS program was approved in 2016 in response to the global increase in terrorist activities. It is expected to take four years to fully develop the systems needed to integrate the ETIAS program with existing immigration databases and other security information. This will create a unified and efficient screening tool that will be used across all participating European countries.

One of the main objectives of the ETIAS program is to bolster security in the E.U. by identifying potential threats before they have a chance to enter the European Union. The ETIAS will serve as a pre-travel authorisation that is required for citizens of countries that currently do not need a visa to enter the E.U. It will be an electronic visa waiver program that will allow authorities to conduct background checks on travelers, screen them against relevant security databases, and determine whether they pose a security threat before they are allowed to enter the European Union.

The ETIAS will be valid for 3 years and will be valid for short-term stays in the participating European countries, including the Schengen countries. It will be available to apply online, and the fees are going to be minor. For a certain group of people like children under 18, and over 70 years old will be exempt to pay the fee. The process of applying is expected to be straightforward and easy, taking just a few minutes to complete.

Beginning in 2025, all American citizens will be required to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) prior to embarking on any type of transportation to Europe, including air travel, sea travel, or coach travel. This only applies to travelers who will only be passing through Europe on their way to their destinations.

The ETIAS program is designed for short-term stays of up to 90 days for general tourism, business, transit, or medical purposes. If a traveler wishes to enter Europe for a period of time longer than 90 days or for any other purpose not allowed under ETIAS, a Schengen visa will be required. More information on this can be found by visiting https://etias.co.uk/ and using the homepage assessment.

It is highly recommended that American citizens complete the ETIAS authorization application 4 days before their departure. Detailed information on the application process, including the ETIAS requirements and ETIAS FAQs. Reviewing this information prior to starting an ETIAS application will help to avoid delays or the risk of the ETIAS being refused.

Starting in 2025, American citizens will be required to hold full American citizenship in order to apply for an ETIAS. Those who hold a passport or travel document with a different status, such as a U.S. Green Card, will be required to apply for a full Schengen visitor visa instead of an ETIAS.

It is important to note that, for U.S. Green Card holders, it is necessary to have a passport from an ETIAS-eligible country in order to be able to apply for an ETIAS. If the Green Card holder does not possess a passport from an eligible country, they will be required to apply for a Schengen visa.

The process of applying for an ETIAS is expected to be quick and efficient. The application will typically be processed and approved within minutes, and the authorisation will be sent via email in the form of a PDF document. It will be stored electronically in the European Immigration system against the passport details. Travelers will not be required to print or present any physical documents, the ETIAS is stored electronically, and all that is needed is the passport.

Benefits of ETIAS

  • An ETIAS will be issued with a validity of 3 years from the date it is issued. 
  • ETIAS can be used multiple times within the 3-year period as long as each stay does not exceed 90 days.
  • The application process for ETIAS is expected to be fast, the authorisation is typically processed and approved within minutes. The approval will be delivered electronically in the form of a PDF document.
  • The ETIAS application process can be completed on any device that has internet access, whether it’s a desktop computer, tablet, or mobile phone. 

Application Advice for ETIAS

  • It is highly recommended to complete the ETIAS application at least 4 days before the planned departure. 
  • In case a traveler’s ETIAS application is denied, they will not be denied entry to the E.U. as they can still apply for a full Schengen visitor visa which would allow them to enter the E.U.
  • The decision of whether to grant entry to Europe ultimately rests with the border security personnel of the European country of arrival, and having an ETIAS does not guarantee entry.