Starting in 2025, the European Union will implement the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will affect citizens and passport holders from countries outside the European Union and Schengen Area. British citizens, as a result of Brexit, are now among the “third country” nationals who will require ETIAS approval to travel to and within Europe.
ETIAS will require individuals to apply and gain approval before entering Europe, with the aim of enhancing border control and security. The application process will require filling out an online form with personal information and details about the traveler’s intended stay in Europe. The system will then cross-check the information with various databases, such as Interpol and Europol, to ensure accuracy and detect any potential security risks.
Once the application is submitted, the system will generate an automatic response, usually within minutes, indicating whether or not the application has been approved. However, in some cases, the application may require a manual check, which can take several weeks. It is important to note that obtaining ETIAS approval does not guarantee entry into Europe, as border officials may still deny entry if they find any inconsistencies or issues with the traveler’s documentation or information.
ETIAS Application and Approval
ETIAS is a system designed to enhance security in Europe by screening individuals planning to visit the European Union. The system’s online application form requires applicants to provide standard personal information, such as their name, address, age, and gender, etc. In addition, it requests information about any previous criminal or terrorism-related activities, as well as details about any significant medical issues or contagious diseases. As a result, applicants must have a valid email address for confirmation purposes, as well as a credit or debit card for payment, since the application form is only available online.
The ETIAS application form is comprehensive, but it is estimated that it can be completed in less than ten minutes. Furthermore, it is expected that more than 95% of applicants will receive immediate approval after submitting the application. However, the remaining 5% may require further manual review, which could take up to several weeks. In any case, applicants should ensure that they provide accurate and truthful information, as false information could result in the application being rejected or even lead to denial of entry into the EU.
ETIAS Payment and Costs
When applying for an ETIAS, it is important to keep in mind that payment is an essential step in the process. Without full payment, an application will not be processed or approved. As the application is done online, payment is also required to be made online, which means a credit or debit card will be necessary.
It is important to note that the cost of an ETIAS includes not only the required fee set by the EU authorities but also any costs for administration. The initial fee was proposed to be €5.00, but this has since increased to €7.00. It is possible that further increases may be implemented in the future.
It is important to ensure that the payment card used is accepted by ETIAS and that there are no holds or insufficient funds in the account. If there is a payment error or the payment is declined for any reason, the ETIAS application is likely to be invalidated, and approval will not be granted. Therefore, it is essential to double-check payment details before submitting an application.
To complete the ETIAS application process, payment must be made online using an acceptable credit or debit card. This payment is required before the application form can be submitted. To make the payment, the applicant must provide the card holder’s name, the debit/credit card number, the card expiration date, and the CVC/CVV security number. This is a standard online transaction process, but it is important to ensure that the payment card used is accepted by ETIAS and that there are no blocks or holds on the account and that sufficient funds are available.
Once the ETIAS application form has been submitted along with the payment, the applicant should receive an email confirmation of the approved ETIAS within minutes. It is important to note that in some cases, manual checks may take longer and result in a delay in receiving confirmation. Applicants are advised to ensure that the email address provided is correct and regularly checked to avoid any issues with receiving confirmation of their approved ETIAS.
Validity and Renewal of ETIAS
An approved ETIAS remains valid for three years from the date of approval, after which it must be renewed if further travel to the Schengen Area is planned. It is important to note that the expiration of an ETIAS is independent of the expiration date of a passport. Although an ETIAS is electronically linked to a passport, it does not necessarily expire at the same time as the passport. It is advisable to ensure that the passport’s expiration date is sufficient to cover most or all of the three-year validity period of the ETIAS to avoid unnecessary inconvenience, time and expenses when it is time to renew the ETIAS.
To renew an ETIAS, the process is exactly the same as the initial application, which involves filling in the online application form and paying the required fee. The renewal process cannot be initiated until the current ETIAS has expired. It is important to note that the automated system will check for any changes in the applicant’s circumstances since the last application. This includes any new criminal or medical issues that may affect the approval or validity of the renewed ETIAS.
Countries that require ETIAS?
ETIAS is required for passport holders of “third countries” who wish to visit any of the European Union or Schengen member states. The countries in the Schengen Area that are covered by ETIAS include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
An approved ETIAS entitles the holder to remain in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any given 180-day period.