New guidelines for travel documents have been released by the European Union through its European Travel Information and Authorization System.
According to the Economic Times on Monday, The European Union will start requiring visitors to obtain pre-approval through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System in 2024; this includes American summer vacationers who travel abroad frequently.
A charge of 7 euros, or $7.79 U.S. dollars, is required to submit the application form, which may be found on the official ETIAS website and a mobile application. Email is the only form of communication.
Once the ETIAS programme is in place, citizens of the United States and visitors from 60 other nations will need a visa waiver for short visits to any of the Schengen-zone countries.
Applicants will need to provide travel documentation, such as a passport, as well as personal information, education level, current occupation, anticipated trip details, and any criminal convictions.
Australia, Canada, Mexico, and many other nations are on the list of ETIAS-eligible nations. To enter the Schengen-zone nations of Europe, all travelers—regardless of age—must get their own ETIAS approval.
The authorization will be required for travel to all ETIAS member countries, which fall into one of four categories: full Schengen members like Spain, France, and Italy; European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries like Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland; future Schengen members such as Bulgaria and Cyprus; plus European micro states like Andorra and Monaco.
The goal of ETIAS is to tighten border security, as well as digitally screen and track travelers entering and leaving EU countries. Its purpose and application process are similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program for visitors headed to the US—a fact that has also made many people more understanding of the new requirement.
While most applications are processed within minutes, some take longer to yield a decision and the European Union advises visitors to apply “well in advance.”
A response is promised within four days but could be extended by 14 to 30 days depending on the circumstance.
Once the authorization is secured, however, it is valid for up to three years or until the visitor’s passport expires.
“With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays — normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period,” the EU’s website reads.
“However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.”
The travel authorization is only necessary to enter 30 European countries, including Spain, Germany, France, and Greece.