Eligibility of ETIAS

  • Taiwan has been chosen as a founding member of the ETIAS.
  • Citizens of Taiwan will be able to submit an application for ETIAS in 2025.
  • Taiwanese citizens will enjoy the advantage of applying for ETIAS through an online application system.

Other Requirements for ETIAS

  • Taiwanese citizens are able to apply for ETIAS via the internet.
  • ETIAS authorisation is applicable for entering Europe via air, sea, or land.
  • To travel, an ETIAS applicant must possess a machine-readable e-passport.
  • ETIAS is designed for brief stays, such as for tourism, business, transit, or medical reasons.
  • Individuals aged 70 or above, or under 18, can obtain ETIAS without paying a fee.

Starting in 2025, Taiwanese citizens who wish to visit participating European countries for a brief period of time, not exceeding 90 days, for reasons such as tourism, business, transit, or medical visits, will be obliged to apply for an ETIAS.

The ETIAS initiative has been established as a response to the global rise in terrorist activities and aims to screen individuals entering Europe from overseas. The ETIAS program is part of a larger effort to address these security challenges and ensure the safety of travellers and citizens alike. By requiring a pre-screening process for travellers to Europe, the program aims to identify and prevent potential threats before they can cause harm.

The information that will be collected from the applicants will then be shared with different

European authorities, including border control, law enforcement, and security agencies. This information sharing will help to ensure a coordinated and effective response to security threats and improve the overall security of the Schengen Area.

In addition, the information collected through the ETIAS program will also be used to inform EU policy-making, helping to identify trends and patterns in travel patterns and enabling the EU to take appropriate measures to address any security risks that may arise.

It is important to note that the information provided in an ETIAS application will be securely stored and protected, in accordance with strict data protection regulations. The ETIAS program is designed to be transparent, secure, and in line with privacy regulations, ensuring that travellers’ personal information is kept safe and secure at all times. 

The creation of the ETIAS program was given the green light back in 2016. Four years of extensive efforts have been used to develop the necessary systems and technologies that will make ETIAS a reality. The goal of the program is to create a new and streamlined screening tool that will seamlessly integrate with existing immigration databases and security information, providing a more comprehensive and secure approach to managing travel to Europe.

Come 2025, citizens of Taiwan will need to take an extra step in their travel preparations by obtaining an ETIAS before boarding any mode of transportation headed for Europe. This requirement applies to all travellers, including those who are only stopping in Europe as a transit point on their way to other destinations.

If a Taiwanese citizen desires to stay in Europe for more than 90 days or for purposes other than tourism, business, transit or medical visits, a Schengen visa will be necessary. Further information is available through an assessment on the ETIAS website at https://etias.co.uk/.

Taiwanese citizens are recommended to apply for their ETIAS at least 96 hours, or four days, before their planned departure date. All necessary information and instructions can be found on the ETIAS requirements page and the ETIAS FAQs section. It’s recommended to thoroughly review these pages before submitting an ETIAS application to prevent any potential delays or rejections.

If you hold a passport or travel document other than that of a full Taiwanese citizen, you may not be eligible to apply for an ETIAS starting in 2025. This means that you may need to apply for a full Schengen visitor visa instead, in order to enter participating European countries.

It is important to understand the difference between an ETIAS and a Schengen visa, as they each have their own unique requirements and restrictions. The ETIAS is intended for short-term stays of up to 90 days for purposes such as tourism, business, transit, or medical visits. If you plan to stay in Europe for a longer period of time, or for other purposes, you will likely need to apply for a full Schengen visa.

You can find out more about the requirements for each type of visa by visiting the ETIAS website or by contacting the relevant European embassy. It is always a good idea to plan ahead and research your visa options well in advance of your trip, in order to avoid any unexpected delays or issues.

The processing time for an ETIAS application submitted by Taiwanese citizens is generally quick, with approval usually taking only a few minutes. Upon approval, the authorisation will be sent to the applicant via email in the form of a PDF document. No physical document is required, as the ETIAS information is securely stored electronically in the European immigration system, linked to the passport details provided in the application.

Benefits of ETIAS

  • The validity of ETIAS lasts for three years starting from the date of its issuance.
  • ETIAS is valid for multiple entries of up to 90 days per visit.
  • The ETIAS authorisation is received quickly and delivered electronically.
  • The ETIAS application can be made on a desktop computer, tablet, or mobile device.

Application Advice for ETIAS

  • Apply at least 96 hours or four days prior to departure.
  • Travellers can still apply for a full visitor visa if their ETIAS application is denied.
  • The final decision for entry into Europe is made by border security personnel of the country of arrival and is not solely based on an ETIAS.