The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) added the USA to its list of countries, so now Americans They will have to apply for a travel permit, at a cost of 7 euros, although they will continue to be visa-free to travel to Europe, starting in 2024.
What this system seeks is to have greater control and security over people who enter the Schengen area of Europe.
ETIAS is the fully electronic European Travel Information and Authorization System that authorizes and tracks visitors from countries that do not require a visa to access the Schengen area. The legal procedures to approve ETIAS began in 2016 and the system is expected to be ready in 2024.
According to the European Union, ETIAS will be able to have important information for the agents of the border patrols of the European Union, about tourists who do not need a visa.
The European Union, with this new travel authorization system, hopes to determine the risks to security, irregular migration or epidemics of visa-exempt persons traveling to the Schengen area. In addition, the European Commission has stated that the document would facilitate the crossing of international borders for travelers who do not present significant threats to public health and safety.
So the main reason for the approval of the ETIAS travel authorization is security, due to the increased risks for travelers around the world, the EU wants to ensure hassle-free travel in their countries. The ETIAS will substantially reduce security problems through its data and information collection systems.
It is a permit not a visa
An ETIAS permit is not a visa, it is a travel authorization requirement for visa-exempt visitors, similar to the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which is used for a similar purpose, he explains. the schengenvisainfo website.
Travelers must submit their passport information, as well as details about their job, travel itinerary, and criminal record. Americans who meet the ETIAS requirements will not need a visa for Europe.
According to what the European Union has established, the ETIAS authorization is aimed at citizens of third countries who do not require a visa to travel to the more than 20 countries of the Schengen area of Europe.
Therefore, ETIAS is not a European visa, it is a permit, a visa waiver that allows its holders to travel to Schengen countries, for short stays related to tourism, business or transit.
Travelers with an ETIAS permit may stay in Europe for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, whether for tourism, business, and short-term studies. Visitors to the US without a visa will need to apply for ETIAS and a visa or residence permit to stay more than 3 months or to work in Europe.
Requesting it is not complicated
They point out on the European Union website that the process to acquire the ETIAS permit only takes a few minutes, but EU officials have advised Americans to apply up to 30 days before their trip in case of any problems and cancel a fee of 7 euros, applicants under 18 years of age or over 70 years of age are exempt from this payment.
It should be noted that this travel authorization system will track and update the necessary data related to visitors, in order to determine if their entry into the Schengen area countries is safe.
The ETIAS system, in addition to being used for tourism and business purposes, will also allow people to visit Schengen countries for medical and transit purposes. In addition, it will be mandatory for all countries that are exempt from visas in the Schengen area.
The main reason for the approval of the ETIAS travel authorization is security. The EU wants to ensure hassle-free travel in their countries. The ETIAS will substantially reduce security problems through its data and information collection systems.
ETIAS will detect if a person poses a risk of any kind to the security of the countries of the Schengen area. This leads to denying access to the person and avoiding a risk present within the borders of the EU. It’s basically about taking charge of a problem, even before it manifests itself.
Details to request the ETIAS
The US citizen may apply for the procedure through the website or through the application. The authorization of this permit will be for up to 90 days, it is important to take into account that you must count all the time that the trip lasts with the permit, as well as you can enter and leave the European country as long as you take into account the time limit of the permit.
However, the European Union clarified that this does not guarantee entry to any of the European countries. With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you like for short-term stays, typically up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry, the agency said.
The process to request the ETIAS is usually fast, if it takes time to process, the citizen will receive a communication within four days of the application. This period could be extended up to 14 days if additional information or documentation is requested, or up to 30 days if you are invited for an interview.
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