Europe is gearing up to implement its Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This travel authorization affects travelers from various nations – including those from the US – who plan to visit 30 European destinations.
Understanding ETIAS: Europe’s New Travel Authorization System
Since many years, citizens from visa-exempt nations, including US citizens, have been able to visit Europe on short trips without prior travel authorization. That will soon change with ETIAS coming into force by 2024 – it provides a solution sought by the European Union (EU) that tracks traveler entries without needing full-visas.
ETIAS Application and Approval: What Travelers Need to Know
ETIAS is not a visa but instead acts as a database that tracks authorized entries into European countries. This travel authorization lasts three years and allows short stays up to 90 days; longer-term visas, such as work or study stays are still required.
American nationals used to entering Europe without needing a visa will find this system an unfamiliar change; however, similar systems exist within the US: Electronic System for Travel Authorization or ESTA is similar and requires authorization from travelers from certain countries such as Europe, South Korea and Brunei; however those holding valid passports are exempted from having an ESTA requirement.
ETIAS was introduced by the European Commission through a memo and serves to identify any security or irregular migration risks caused by visa exempt visitors entering Schengen Area countries – comprising 23 EU members as well as Iceland, Switzerland and Norway. Travelers may move freely between these 27-country areas without passing through internal border checks.
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), first introduced by the European Commission in 2016, has long been in effect in both countries, while its American equivalent, ESTA (the Electronic System for Travel Authorization), came into being in 2008 under a mandate imposed by the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015.
ETIAS has emerged as a powerful weapon in Europe’s fight against crime, irregular immigration and threats to public health, according to European authorities. With irregular migrants flooding into Europe due to factors like political instability, economic crisis and environmental concerns in countries like Egypt, Pakistan and Syria. ETIAS is meeting these challenges by targeting crimes like human trafficking and drug trafficking – two challenges it addresses through its focus.
ETIAS applications undergo rigorous checks against various EU information systems, such as Europol, Schengen Information System, Eurodac and European Criminal Records Information System.
ETIAS: What Travelers Must Know Before Heading to Europe
Building an EU-wide system has taken years. Members had to come together and work towards reaching consensus; with elections fast approaching, expedited efforts towards pushing through ETIAS-related directives.
ETIAS is still not open for travelers headed to Europe, so the exact requirements and application process have yet to be revealed. According to official memos however, applicants should possess a passport valid at least three months beyond their intended travel date, as ETIAS only caters to individuals aged 18-70.
ETIAS stands out from standard visa applications in several ways. It does not involve visiting consulates or collecting biometric information, making this application fast and painless to complete online in just moments; plus its fee of just 7 euros makes it affordable and accessible to travelers from different countries such as Singapore or New Zealand.
Although travelers should submit applications at least one month in advance, quick approval can help accommodate unexpected or urgent trips. Furthermore, this authorization lasts for three years, permitting unlimited entries during this time frame.
Nearly 95% of applications will be approved, while those rejected will receive a letter outlining their reasons and giving them the chance to appeal their rejection. It should be noted that ETIAS approval does not guarantee entry into specific countries; final authority lies with each European entry point’s border guards.
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