Here’s what tourists should know:
When will the European Union start to take applications?
The official website for ETIAS says that the E.U. will start accepting applications “from 2024.” No specific date has been given yet.
Who has to fill out a form to visit an E.U. country?
Anyone from one of the countries that don’t need a visa to visit the E.U. and stay for less than 90 days must apply for ETIAS permission. The U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Mexico are among the countries that don’t need visas. Here is a complete list.
The European Union says a short-term stay is any stay (or a mix of visits) of up to 90 days in a 180-day time frame. People who live in one of the countries that don’t need visas or in Ireland and don’t have a passport will also need to apply for ETIAS permission.
ETIAS can also be used instead of a visa by some people from countries that need visas. Students on a school trip who are from countries that require visas but live in one of the visa-free countries, Switzerland or Liechtenstein, are also qualified for this exception.
On the ETIAS page, you can find everything you need to do to be eligible.
How much does the application cost?
The online application for ETIAS permission will come with a fee of 7 euros, which is about $8. This permission is suitable for three years or until the trip document used to fill out the application expires, whichever comes first. Once this permission has been used, it can only be used for short stays or 90 days of travel within 180 days.
What kind of information do I need to give ETIAS?
To apply, travellers must give their name, date of birth, country, address, the terms of their parents, email address, and phone number. They will also be asked what they do for a living and how far they have gone in school. They will also be asked about their plans to travel and stay in E.U. countries.
Applicants must also give information about the trip document they will use, like a passport. Some countries, like the U.S., have special rules about who can get travel papers and who can’t. People applying for ETIAS will also be asked about criminal records and other personal information.
How do I know if I’m good to go?
Once the system is up and running, ETIAS applicants will get an email saying their entry has been sent. This email will have an application number you need to keep in case you need it. Once a traveller’s application has been processed, they will get a second email with the choice about whether or not they have permission.
How long will it take for ETIAS to decide that I’m good to go?
Most applications should be handled immediately, but people who want to travel should expect to hear a decision on their application within four days. There are exceptions, like when more paperwork or information is needed or when applicants are asked to come in for an interview.
If approved, travellers should ensure all of their personal information is right. If a mistake isn’t fixed before travel, the permission to cross into the E.U. will not be valid. If an applicant is turned down for a permit, they can review the decision.
How early do I have to send in my application?
Starting in 2024, people who want to travel should apply for ETIAS certification at least one month before their planned trip date and ideally before that. This is because if you are identified for an interview, it could take an extra 30 days on top of the average time. If your application were turned down, you would have to go through an appeals process before you could fly.
During their whole time in the E.U., travellers must have their ETIAS permission. Even though you need the permit to join the E.U., you may still be allowed in at the border. Travellers must still meet E.U. entry standards, such as having a passport or other travel document valid for their stay and at least three months afterwards.
Will having to use ETIAS at airports slow me down?
Since ETIAS authorization is a new process, it could slow down the queue at border control, which could be a problem for people trying to make tight flight connections. Currently, if a U.S. traveller is taking a connecting flight in another Schengen zone country to get to a country in the Schengen zone, they must pass a passport check before boarding their connecting flight.
Hewitt said, “Even before ETIAS, this process can take a lot of time, which adds stress to a close relationship.” “Once ETIAS is put into place, especially at first, I can see how it could slow down the processing of passports and cause longer wait times. I’ll be careful to have a short break in 2024 until I know if this is a problem.
Can I trust fake ETIAS sites?
The European Union says that “dozens” of unofficial ETIAS sites give information about the future system. Some places use the E.U. logo without permission and provide wrong information.
Even though the E.U. lets business intermediaries apply for ETIAS authorization on behalf of customers, these third parties could be run by scammers who want to use personal information from the application incorrectly.
To avoid getting ripped off, travellers should apply for ETIAS first through the official website when it opens in 2024.
