The new system will be entirely electronic: foreigners won’t need to hire a travel agency or visit a European embassy or consulate in person. Everything will be done online from anywhere in the world, and the application is designed to only take minutes.
Europe is revolutionizing the way it deals with visas and travel permits. The European authorities announced that, in order to visit the Old Continent, eligible foreign tourists will have to apply for a new electronic registration program called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). The program is expected to go live in 2021, here further information.
The new system will be entirely electronic: foreigners won’t need to hire a travel agency or visit a European embassy or consulate in person. Everything will be done online from anywhere in the world, and the application is designed to only take minutes. However, the registration will be mandatory. Without ETIAS, foreigners won’t be able to enter the Schengen area.
ETIAS will apply to those who can currently travel visa-free to visit Europe. That includes a great number of nationalities (over 60) such as travelers from the U.S. and Canada. It’s a big change for these visitors who previously only had to plan their trip and book the flights.
However, the European authorities assure that the new registration program will benefit both travelers and residents across Europe by strengthening border control and fighting international crime.
Let’s look into ETIAS and learn about:
- What ETIAS is and how will the application work for travelers
- How it will affect security in Europe and benefit tourists.
What is ETIAS and how do I apply?
ETIAS is not a visa. If you can currently travel to the Schengen countries without a visa, you won’t need to start applying for one. You will still enjoy your visa-free status when ETIAS comes into effect.
ETIAS is a registration system that will allow European law enforcement to keep better control over who crosses the Schengen external borders and when. It will be mandatory to apply for ETIAS but since it’s not a visa, the application will be easy and straightforward.
All you’ll need is a device that can connect to the internet. In order to complete the application, eligible tourists will need to:
- Fill out an online application form
- Provide digital copies of supporting documents (such as their valid passport)
- Pay the application fee.
The approved ETIAS will be sent to the applicant via email within a few business days.
ETIAS for European security
As we’ve seen, ETIAS will be very easy to obtain for eligible tourists. However, why is it being launched in the first place?
Safety and security for the Schengen population is the number 1 priority of ETIAS. Border control officers will keep better track of movement into and out of the Schengen area.
Document checks are also expected to become smoother: since ETIAS is a completely electronic program, ETIAS holders will be able to use smart passport gates at European airports and seaports instead of queuing at the immigration desk.
The digitalization of traveler data is going to make it easier for Schengen countries to exchange information across law enforcement. This will allow the European authorities to exponentially improve their joint efforts against violations such as.
- Identity thefts
- International crime
- Terrorism
- Human trafficking
- Drug trafficking
- Illegal immigration.
ETIAS data will be encrypted, stored and managed securely by eu-LISA, the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. Travelers’ information will only be accessed by authorized personnel like immigration officers.
Finally, ETIAS will help Europe to optimize resources. Thanks to the use of smart passport gates, fewer border control officers will be needed at the Schengen immigration desks. And since ETIAS applications will be processed completely online, European embassies and consulates will not become overworked with requests.
What are the upsides of ETIAS for tourists?
Yes, applying for ETIAS will be one extra step to take in order to plan one’s European holiday. However, the new program is expected to positively affect tourists.
International visitors will benefit greatly from ETIAS in several ways:
- The peace of mind of visiting a safer Europe
- Less time spent at the external Schengen border (your documents won’t be checked again when traveling within the Schengen area unless extraordinary circumstances apply)
- The ability to check the details of their ETIAS online including its terms and expiration date.
