ETIAS: Travel authorization to visit the European Union for US Citizen
ETIAS will start in 2023, for now this post if just to explain how it works.
EU visitors are restricted to a 3-month stay and their visit is intended to be for tourism or commercial purposes only. There are restrictions under which travelers without a visa are not allowed to work or study.
The law concerning ETIAS was validated in November 2016. In implementing ETIAS, the European Commission intends to improve the security of the Schengen area by obliging visa-free travelers to obtain a travel authorization and to undergo various security checks before entering the European Union.
ETIAS would ensure that potential security threats are identified and addressed outside the EU’s borders and ensures that citizens are safer.
How will ETIAS work?
Who can apply to ETIAS – ETIAS must be requested online before arrival in the EU. Each traveler eligible to travel without a visa within the EU will need an ETIAS.
Required information – The following data will be required for each ETIAS application: personal biometric data (name, sex, birth data, etc.), passport or travel document, Member State of entry into the EU, general health questions the applicant and the history of his stays in the EU.
Fees – The cost of an ETIAS is € 5, however, people under 18 will not need to pay fees.
ETIAS application process – At the time of submission, each application will be verified on SIS / VIS / EUROPOL / SLTD DATA (Interpol) / EURODAC / ECRIS etc.), the ETIAS selection rules and the ETIAS watch list. If the application matches the information from one of these databases, the application will be manually processed by the ETIAS Central and / or ETIAS national units.
ETIAS application process – At the time of submission, each application will be verified on SIS / VIS / EUROPOL / SLTD DATA (Interpol) / EURODAC / ECRIS etc.), the ETIAS selection rules and the ETIAS watch list. If the application matches the information from one of these databases, the application will be manually processed by the ETIAS Central and / or ETIAS national units.
Application Decision – Usually, a decision will be made by the system in minutes. If an ETIAS application is approved, it will be issued for a period of five years or until the expiration date of the applicant’s passport, whichever is longer.
If an ETIAS request is rejected, the applicant will receive a reason for refusal as well as information to request a VISA if the case allows Embarkation – ETIAS can only be used for transit, tourism and business travel within the EU. ETIAS will be checked by carriers before a trip by plane, boat or car. If an ETIAS is not approved, the traveler will not be allowed to travel to the EU.
Arrival in the EU – Upon entry into the Schengen area, a border agent will make the final decision whether or not to admit a traveler on the basis of information from the EES system, its approved ETIAS, as well as trip presented.