Requirements for ETIAS
By 2021, the European Union (EU) will have implemented their new ETIAS visa waiver system. This system requires some travelers to get preauthorization before they enter the Schengen Zone countries. This may make some travelers nervous but it doesn't have to! Here's what everyone needs to know about this system before they travel to Europe.
Who Needs an ETIAS Visa Waiver
Travelers from a certain list of countries will need to get the ETIAS visa waiver before they can enter the European Union's Schengen Zone. Most of these travelers did not require any authorization to travel to Europe previously. However, this is not a visa! It is a low-cost way for the EU to keep both their citizens and travelers safer by disallowing visits by people who might be dangerous or involved in terrorist activities.
The ETIAS system is much better than having to get a visa! Benefits include:
- The application will be easy and available online
- There's no embassy visit required and travelers will never be separated from their passports
- No paper document is necessary as everything is handled electronically
- The visa waiver is low cost so the expense should not prohibit a trip to Europe Image
The ETIAS visa waiver works for both business travel and tourism. Visitors traveling for other purposes will need to obtain a different type of travel permission.
The Requirements to Apply for an ETIAS Visa Waiver
Applying for the ETIAS visa waiver is straightforward and will only take 10-15 minutes. Before they apply, travelers should have:
- A valid email address
- Their valid passport with at least 6 months left before it expires
- A credit card
They should also double check to make sure that they come from a country that is eligible for the ETIAS visa waiver. After that, they only need internet access and a small chunk of time, during which they can fill out the application.
How the ETIAS Visa Waiver System Works
Once they are ready to go, applicants can fill out the ETIAS visa waiver application here. The process is easy and there are instructions for every step of the application. They will need to make sure that they:
- Enter identification information exactly as it appears on their passport
- Accurately input the city where they will enter the Schengen Zone
- Are completely honest about the information they enter on the application
Once the application is completed, travelers can pay online, then submit the application. Their data will be screened against several databases. When the visa waiver is approved, they will receive an email. While they do not have to carry proof of their ETIAS visa waiver acceptance, they may want to print this email to carry with them just in case.
Most travelers will hear back about their visa status almost immediately. Some cases will take a few days to process, while others may take up to three weeks. It will all be worthwhile, though, because a trip to Europe is always an adventure.