ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. The main goal of ETIAS for Europe is to identify possible threats or risks associated with visitors travelling to any of the Schengen Area countries. ETIAS protects and strengthens Europe’s borders.The ETIAS travel authorisation will be needed to enter a Schengen member country by air, land or sea. From 2024, visitors that do not need a visa to enter Europe will be able to register with ETIAS. ETIAS will become a mandatory entry requirement.Visa-exempt visitors non-EU citizens need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver when visiting the Schengen zone. There are no internal borders between Schengen member countries.
ETIAS IS AN ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION, NOT A VISA
ETIAS is a travel authorisation for non-EU nationals who do not need a visa for the Schengen Area. ETIAS is not a European visa.Nationals of more than 50 non-European countries are exempt from applying for a visa to visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days.The ETIAS visa waiver has been developed so that travellers from these countries can continue to enter visa-free, while at the same time improving border management and security across Europe.Visa-exempt visitors will soon be required to register for the new electronic travel authorisation, also known as a visa waiver, to cross an external Schengen border.
COUNTRIES WHOSE CITIZENS REQUIRE ETIAS FOR EUROPE
WHEN DOES EU ETIAS BECOME OBLIGATORY?
ETIAS was first proposed in 2016 by the European Commission and formally established in September 2018 by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the Council. ETIAS will be operational from 2024. It will become an entry requirement for all visa-exempt non-EU citizens travelling to the Schengen Area.
Travellers will have to pay for ETIAS when they complete the ETIAS application form. ETIAS visa waivers will be valid for 3-year periods and will allow people to enter the Schengen Area for periods of up to 90 days (within any 180-day period). After an ETIAS expires, it is necessary to apply for a new travel authorization to reenter any of the Schengen countries. The application is just as quick and simple as the original application and the ETIAS fee will most likely be the same. Having paid an application fee and obtained an ETIAS visa waiver does not guarantee entry into the Schengen area. The final decision will be made by European border authorities after verifying your documents.
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/uk-citizens/#google_vignette
