The European Union is set to implement its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), a travel authorization system that would require travelers with US and UK passports to fill out an online visa application before being granted entry into the EU.
The union says that it will implement ETIAS in 2024 which will require all travelers from visa-free countries to obtain travel authorization documents before their arrival.
ETIAS is a travel authorization document and not a traditional visa. Travelers from the US and the UK will first have to complete the ETIAS process and get a travel document before their arrival.
Travelers will have to fill out details such as their bio, itinerary, travel history, and some security-related questions through an online portal.
The process will be entirely online.
Unlike a visa application, applying for and getting travel authorization through the ETIAS takes much less time, with approval expected within an hour. In some cases, approval may take up to four days and applicants could be asked for more documentation.
US applicants over 18 years of age will also have to pay an $8 fee for their application, and their British counterparts will be paying £6.
The European Union recommends that travelers apply for an ETIAS authorization “well in advance” of their plans.
Also, applicants should cross-check their name and other details on the ETIAS document once they receive it, as any mistake will prevent them from entering their destination country.
If an application is rejected, an email detailing the reason and how it can be appealed will be sent to the applicant.
Once travelers get their ETIAS document, it is valid for multiple entries for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever is first.
Visitors with ETIAS approval can stay up to 90 days at a time within 180 days. Visitors will also have to carry their ETIAS documents and passport at all times during their stay.
American and British travelers have long enjoyed visa-free travel to several countries, especially in Europe. According to the Henley Passport Index 2023, both the US and UK passports are among the strongest in the world, with the UK ranking fourth and the US ranking eighth on the list.
The ETIAS has been introduced to assess the potential security risks of travelers before they arrive and prevent cross-border crime and terrorism.
The European Union is set to implement its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), a travel authorization system that would require travelers with US and UK passports to fill out an online visa application before being granted entry into the EU.