Eligibility of ETIAS

  • Guatemala will be among the initial countries to implement the ETIAS program.
  • In 2025, Guatemalan citizens will have the opportunity to apply for ETIAS.
  • The online application system for ETIAS will be beneficial for Guatemalan citizens.

Other Requirements for ETIAS

  • Applying for ETIAS is possible for Guatemalan citizens through an online process.
  • ETIAS can be used for entry into Europe via air, sea, or land.
  • An e-passport that is machine readable is required for travellers.
  • ETIAS is intended for short-term visits such as tourism, business, transit, or medical treatment.
  • ETIAS will be free of charge for applicants who are under 18 or over 70 years old.

Starting in 2025, Guatemalan citizens who wish to travel to participating European countries for short-term stays, under 90 days, for purposes such as tourism, business, transit, or medical treatment, will be required to obtain an ETIAS. This system has been implemented as a measure to enhance security in light of the global increase in terrorist activities.

The main purpose of the ETIAS program is to increase security and prevent potential terrorist activities by screening travellers before they enter the European territory. It is because for years, Europe has been facing a growing threat of terrorism, and the ETIAS program is one of the measures put in place to mitigate this threat. The system will check the applicant’s information against various databases, including those of the European Union, Interpol, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The program aims to identify and prevent individuals with a history of criminal or terrorist activities from entering European territory. By screening travellers before their arrival, the program can potentially prevent terrorist attacks and other forms of violence. Furthermore, by reducing wait times at border controls, the program will make travel more efficient and convenient for all involved.

In 2016, the European Union approved the ETIAS program as an additional measure to enhance security and prevent potential terrorist activities by screening travellers before they enter European territory. Developing the required systems that would tie in with existing immigration databases and other security data, however, would take four years to be fully functional.

By 2025, Guatemalan citizens will be required to complete an ETIAS application before they board an aircraft, sea carrier, or coach vehicle to Europe. This includes individuals who are only passing through Europe on their way to other destinations.

Guatemalan citizens who intend to enter Europe for more than 90 days or for purposes other than those allowed under the ETIAS program will need to apply for a Schengen visa. For more information on the requirements and application process, they can visit the website https://etias.co.uk/ and use the homepage assessment.

To avoid any delays or the risk of an ETIAS being refused, it is recommended that Guatemalan citizens complete their ETIAS application 96 hours prior to their departure date. They can find full details on the ETIAS requirements and ETIAS FAQ’s. It is recommended to review these pages before starting an ETIAS application to ensure that they have all the necessary information and documents.

Starting in 2025, full Guatemalan citizenship will be a requirement for applying for an ETIAS. This means that travellers holding a passport or travel document with a different status, such as a permanent resident or a refugee, may not be eligible for an ETIAS and may be required to apply for a full Schengen visitor visa instead. This requirement is in place to ensure that the ETIAS program is only available to citizens who have a strong connection to their home country and are less likely to overstay their visa or pose a security risk.

It is important to note that the ETIAS program is only valid for short-term stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If travellers wish to stay in Europe for longer or for other purposes, they will need to apply for a different type of visa. ETIAS is not a visa, it is an electronic travel authorisation system, it will be mandatory for citizens of Guatemala and other eligible countries to have an ETIAS prior to their travel to the European Union countries. 

It will be used as a pre-screening tool to ensure that travellers pose no security or migration risks. It is valid for a period of 3 years or until the expiration date of the passport, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries. It is important to note that even if travellers have an ETIAS, they may still be subject to additional checks at the border and may be denied entry if they do not meet the criteria for entry or if their circumstances have changed since the time of their application.

The ETIAS application procedure has been created to be effortless, rapid, and convenient for travelers. Guatemalan citizens can anticipate that their ETIAS request will typically be processed and approved in a matter of minutes. The authorization will be delivered via email in the form of a PDF file and there is no need to print it, as the ETIAS is stored electronically linked to the passport information in the European Immigration system. This implies that travelers won’t have to carry any additional papers when they travel, as the ETIAS can be conveniently retrieved and checked by border control officers.

Benefits of ETIAS

  • The ETIAS is valid for 3 years from the date it is issued.
  • The ETIAS allows for multiple entries within a 90 day period.
  • The ETIAS authorisation process is fast and is delivered electronically.
  • The ETIAS application can be completed on a desktop, tablet, or mobile device.

Application Advice for ETIAS

  • It is recommended to submit the ETIAS application at least 96 hours before departure.
  • If an ETIAS application is denied, travellers can still apply for a full visitor visa.
  • The final decision on entry to Europe rests with the border security personnel of the country of arrival, even with an approved ETIAS.