ETIAS: What You Need to Know about Europe’s New Visa

In 2024, non-European travelers will need the new ETIAS visa to enter the E.U. If you plan to visit the EU or Europe in 2024, you must know this information. Imagine planning a trip to Europe only to get turned away at the airport—you don’t want that! In this post, I will cover the Schengen Visa, Schengen Area, and the ETIAS and help you understand everything you need to know before traveling to Europe.

Table of Contents

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area comprises 27 European countries that have abolished passport and border control at their mutual borders. This area was established in 1995 through the Schengen Agreement.

What is the Schengen Visa?

Firstly, the Schengen Visa is a document that allows non-European nationals to travel to the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within six months. The visa is required for travel to Europe for travelers unable to travel to EU countries without a visa.

What is the ETIAS?

The ETIAS is a travel authorization for visa-exempt nationals to enter these 30 European countries.

From https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is an entirely electronic system that tracks visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. The ETIAS is linked to your passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires. If you get a new passport, you must also get a new visa.

With a travel authorization, you can enter the listed European countries unlimited times for short-term stays – up to 90 days in any 180 days. The application fee is 7 EUR, but applicants under 18 or above 70 are exempt.

When Will ETIAS be Implemented?

The EC previously announced that the ETIAS visa would launch in November 2023. However, it was postponed to 2024 because associated systems are not ready for implementation. Additionally, the exact launch date of the ETIAS visa will be launched in 2024.

Do You Need an ETIAS Visa?

If you are a national of any of these visa-exempt countries, you will need to get an ETIAS.

Most travelers will either need the ETIAS or the Schengen Visa, you do not need both.

How to Apply for an ETIAS Travel Authorisation

To apply for an ETIAS Travel Authorisation, fill out the application form on the official ETIAS website or the mobile application. Applying for the travel authorization costs EUR 7, though some travelers are exempt from paying this fee.

For the application, you will need to provide the following information:

A valid passport or valid travel document
Personal information
Details about your level of education and current occupation;
Intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS
Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been kicked out of any country

The ETIAS will process within minutes, and you will receive an email confirming your application submission and include your unique application number that you need for future reference. You will receive another email about the outcome once your application has been processed.

When you get your travel authorization, ensure your name, passport number, and other information is correct: if there is any mistake, you will not be allowed to cross the border, and you must apply for a new one.

Conclusion

If you plan a trip to Europe, understanding the Schengen Visa, Schengen Area, and ETIAS travel authorization is crucial. Make sure you have all the necessary documents and information before you travel. I hope this blog post has helped you navigate the visa process better! Happy travels!