Traveling to Europe will soon look different, but not only because of the coronavirus. American travelers with a valid US passport can currently enter 26 countries of Europe’s Schengen Zone without a visa or any form of screening. The only exception to this is for Non-Americans residing in the US. They are still required to have a visa depending on their nationality.
In effort to increase security, a new screening process, known as ETIAS (EU Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be going into effect in the European Union. This will put in place additional steps both before, during and after the travel in a system similar to that of the US.
Below is everything you need to know about ETIAS and what it means for traveling to Europe in the coming years.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS, which stands for EU Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a new travel authorization that American travelers will need to enter into Europe’s EU and Schengen Zone.
This system will charge a fee and check security credentials for travelers visiting for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes.
It may sound like it but ETIAS is not a visa. It can more accurately be referred to as a visa-waiver which means the authorization system is for visa-free travelers.
This means that travelers will not need a visa to enter the 26 countries of the Schengen Zone in addition to completing the ETIAS application. American travelers can continue to travel to the EU without a visa as long as they go through the ETIAS process.
The United States has a similar system which is referred to as ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
Why is the Process Changing?
Europe is implementing ETIAS to strengthen its borders due to ongoing terrorist threats. This system allows the EU to screen for threats or risks associated with the travelers entering the continent.
The current system allows travelers to enter the EU and Schengen Zone based on a good track record instead of a screening that can help them identify threats. The ETIAS will require travelers to undergo more security checks to scan for threats before they will be permitted entry.
How Does the Application Process Work?
The ETIAS application is done online and will require around ten minutes to complete and an 8 dollar fee. However, individuals under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, will not need to pay the fee.
The online application will include personal information as well as security and health questions. After you submit the form, it will be reviewed by multiple sources such as EURODAC also known asEuropean Dactyloscopy System which is the EU's asylum fingerprint database as well as Interpol which is the International Criminal Police Organization.
Typically 95% of applications will be approved within minutes and the individual will receive an email declaring as much. However, the application can take 96 hours if more checks are required and weeks if more documentation is needed from the individual.
If the application is denied, the individual will receive information as to the reasoning behind the decision as well as which country denied the ETIAS approval. There is the opportunity to appeal the decision.
For those with an approved application, the authorization will be issued for three years or until the individual’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
When Will ETIAS Come Into Effect?
Originally, ETIAS was set to come into effect in 2021 however the timeline has changed significantly. Due to delays, ETIAS won’t be required until 2022. This is not a hard beginning for the authorization system though. There will be a six month grace period which means travelers won’t be required to have approval until 2023.
Which Countries Will Require ETIAS?
There are 26 members of the Schengen Zone which includes 22 EU countries that will require travelers to have an ETIAS visa-waiver to enter. Below is a list of these countries.
Liechtenstein
Exceptions to ETIAS
There are some exceptions to US travelers that need to go through ETIAS. Individuals with dual citizenship in a country in the EU or Schengen Zone will not need an ETIAS visa-waiver if they enter and exit Europe with their EU passport.
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