European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

ETIAS is an acronym for European Travel Information and Authorisation System, which is an electronic system for screening visitors from Visa exempt countries traveling to Europe. For now, such visitors only require a valid passport issued to them by their respective countries to pass through immigration checkpoints, and they don’t need a visa. Despite the soon-to-be-introduced ETIAS policy, such travelers will still be able to visit Schengen countries without visas; the only difference will be that they will need security clearance first.

This permit is only for citizens from Visa free countries that could enter the Schengen Area without visas before the announcement of ETIAS, with the exception of visitors from the Republic of Ireland, which is still a member of Europe’s Common Travel Area.
ETIAS will be similar to the electronic travel authorizations of other countries, like the systems operated by Australia, Canada, The UK, and the United States ESTA.

Starting from November 2023, any visitor coming to the Schengen Area and other European countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus must get ETIAS approval first; otherwise, they will not be allowed to enter. The only country in Europe that will not adopt this policy is the Republic of Ireland which has its visa policy for visitors.

Six Months Grace Period

ETIAS will become available from May 2023, but the European Commission has stated that it will allow a six months grace period for eligible travelers to enter Europe without it as the system will be tested until the beginning of November, when it will be made mandatory for all travelers.

The idea behind creating the Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System of the European Commission is to secure the security integrity of European countries. The idea was first proposed in 2016 by the Commission and formally established by the European Parliament in 2018. The system will perform speedy background checks on visitors from more than 50 visa-free countries and screen their details with several security databases to ascertain whether they pose any security risk.

The system will also update the information of every visitor to keep track of their movement and activities during their time in Europe. Dual nationality visitors with one European ancestry will not require ETIAS to enter Europe. Citizens from San Marino, The Vatican, Andorra, and Monaco will not need this permit to travel as well.

Who Doesn’t Need ETIAS?

If you require a Schengen visa to enter Europe, currently, you do not qualify for ETIAS; you will need the Visa to travel to Europe. This permit is only for those who do not require visas for travel.

Validity

ETIAS will be valid for three years from the date of issue, and it will allow the holder to stay in any Schengen country for about 90 days maximum within six months. ETIAS travelers will also be able to travel to as many Schengen countries as they wish as long as they respect the 90-day rule.

How To Apply For ETIAS?

ETIAS applications will be made online, and the process will take only a few minutes. Once an applicant submits their information, the system will run background checks across multiple databases like the SLS, Interpol, and Eurocop databases. This check will take only a few minutes, and if they pose no security risk, the applicant will be issued the ETIAS permit. If there is a security alert, the application will be passed onto the manual ETIAS unit in the designated country of choice for further review.

ETIAS Application Fee

This authorization will command a recommendation fee of €7 for 18-70-year-old applicants but is free for those outside this age bracket.