Do I need ETIAS for Europe?
f you're not from an EU or Schengen country and you're dreaming of packing your bag and have a Kölsch in Cologne, a lovely gelato in Lucca, or you'd like to check out our holiday cottage Loups d'Or in the Dordogne, then you need to read the following.
Similar to other countries and regions in the world, Europe has recently decided to improve its security level to avoid any further problems with illegal immigration and terrorism.
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a completely electronic system that allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. In a way, it resembles the U.S Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which serves a similar purpose. It will become completely effective and obligatory for travellers only by the end of 2022.
Citizens of countries from outside the EU and Schengen areas who currently require no visa for European travel must be documented properly once ETIAS comes into effect.
UK / British citizens will be required to apply for an ETIAS to enter participating European countries on a short term basis, under 90 days, for general tourism, business, transit or medical purposes.
U.S. citizens travelling to Europe will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) visa waiver which is the new travel authorisation for Europe that will come into effect by the end of 2022. This means that, by 2023, all Americans travelling to a European country in the Schengen Zone will be in need of an ETIAS. The Schengen Area is composed of 22 European Union countries like France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and Spain, as well as 4 non-EU countries: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. ETIAS will permit travel to all Schengen countries for short stays during its validity.
All Australian citizens will be required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver in order to travel to the European Union. Additionally, minors will be allowed to travel with their normal passports but will also be required to apply for an ETIAS. The ETIAS however, is only available to Australians holding full citizenship.
Canadian citizens will be required to apply for an ETIAS to enter participating European countries on a short term basis, under 90 days, for general tourism, business, transit or medical purposes. Canadian travellers will be able to submit their ETIAS request electronically. The ETIAS application is faster and more straightforward than obtaining a visa, the process is fully online with no need to present paperwork at an embassy or consulate. With an approved ETIAS visa waiver, Canadians can visit any of the countries in the Schengen Area. It’s a multiple-entry permit valid for 3 years, or until the passport expires.
New Zealander citizens will be required to apply for an ETIAS to enter participating European countries on a short term basis, under 90 days, for general tourism, business, transit or medical purposes. The ETIAS visa waiver for New Zealanders is valid for a total of 3 years from the date of approval and allows unlimited entries into the Schengen zone. The EU visa waiver is electronically linked to a citizen's passport, specifically to the passport that was used in the application process.
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