ETIAS Arrival in 2022 for International Travelers

International travelers of over 60 countries will be required to obtain an ETIAS for Europe in 2022. Foreign visitors will have to complete an online application to get their ETIAS travel authorization.

What exactly is ETIAS?

ETIAS stands for Electronic Travel and Information Authorization System. It is currently being developed by the European Union's eu-LISA It Systems Agency. Once the system is up and running, travelers from eligible countries will be able to apply online for an ETIAS visa waiver.

This electronic travel authorization will allow the EU to:

• Improve security in Europe
• Identify individuals that may pose a threat to the region
• Know who is visiting European territory

Similar to the U.S.' ESTA or Canada's ETA, ETIAS will gather an international traveler's basic information and screen their details against security databases.

How will travelers be able to get ETIAS?

International travelers will have access to an online registration form. The ETIAS application will be straightforward and easy to complete.

When filling out the form, foreign visitors should provide the following information:

• Full name as it appears on their passport
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Contact information: address, telephone number
• Country of intended first entry
• Passport details: number, issuing and expiry date

The application form to get the ETIAS visa waiver will take about ten minutes. It is expected that most application will be processed within a few minutes.

Who can get ETIAS?

At this time, nationals of over 60 countries are able to visit Europe without the need of a visa. Thanks to mutual visa waiver agreements between these countries and Europe, international visitors can travel to Europe and stay for up to 90 consecutive days.

Citizens of these countries will be eligible to get the ETIAS visa waiver. It is important to note that ETIAS is not a visa, it is an electronic travel authorization. The applicant will not need to make an appointment with an embassy or consulate. They can complete the ETIAS application using an electronic device such as a tablet, smartphone or a laptop or computer.

What will I need to apply for ETIAS?

If you are currently able to travel to Europe without a visa, this means you are from a visa waiver country. Once travel authorization is released in 2022, you will need to meet the following ETIAS requirements to apply:

• Hold a passport valid beyond the desired stay in Europe
• An email address
• A debit or credit card

The ETIAS visa waiver will carry a cost. To successfully submit an application, you must cover the fee of the visa waiver with a debit or credit card.

All applicants must use a valid email address when registering. Notifications about the status of ETIAS will be sent to the email address provided on the form. Also, if there are issues with a traveler's application, the ETIAS team will contact said traveler via email.

It is possible that in some rare cases, an applicant may be asked to provide additional documents. While entering personal information and passport data, it is essential to double check that they match. Every applicant is responsible for providing accurate details. All the information a traveler enters will be verified by the ETIAS system.

Where in Europe can I travel with the ETIAS visa waiver?

The ETIAS visa waiver will be valid to travel to Schengen Member countries. The EU's Schengen Area is comprised of 26 European nations.

These are the Schengen Countries where ETIAS will become an entry requirement in 2022: Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The Schengen Area also includes three European microstates: Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.

The countries listed above have all signed the Schengen Agreement, which originated in June 1985. Internal border checks have been mostly abolished, allowing for the free movement of people.

The Schengen Area also has a common visa policy. Citizens who won't be eligible to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver, will have to apply for a consular visa through a Schengen member state embassy or consulate.

When entering data on the ETIAS form, the applicant will need to indicate the Schengen country of first intended entry, even if they are planning on visiting more countries in the region.

How long will ETIAS be valid for?

Once an ETIAS visa waiver is granted to an applicant, it will be valid for a period of three consecutive years from the date of approval. However, if the traveler's passport expires before the three year mark, their ETIAS will no longer be valid.

An ETIAS visa waiver will be electronically linked to a traveler's passport. If the passport has expired, the travel authorization will be void. Unlike a visa, the ETIAS visa waiver cannot be extended. After it has expired, it will be necessary to complete a new ETIAS registration.

Duration of Stay in Europe

While the ETIAS travel authorization will be valid for three years, the duration of stay in the Schengen Area is of 90 days within a 180 day period. ETIAS grants multiple entries to the region, however, it is strongly advised not to overstay beyond the 90 days. This could have an impact on future travels to the region.

Why will I need ETIAS to enter Europe?

Discussions about introducing a unified electronic travel authorization system were first brought up in 2016. Europe has been the target of several terrorist attacks in recent years. Another issue that concerns the EU is irregular immigration. You will need ETIAS to contribute to the EU's fight to protect its citizens and territory.

To improve border security, the EU decided to develop a system that will identify individuals who may pose a threat. For instance, the ETIAS system will spot whether a person has committed fraud, has overstayed in Europe in the past, or is applying with a reported lost or stolen passport.

The ETIAS system will screen each application against security databases that include Europol, Interpol, EURODAC, Schengen Information System, and VIS (Visa Information System). Activated alerts will allow the system to deny ETIAS to suspicious travelers.

ETIAS will benefit both: the EU and foreign visitors. The goal of ETIAS is to better secure the Schengen Zone and prevent further attacks.