Learn more about ETIAS Application for UK Citizens
By support@click2visas.com
3 years
As a result of Brexit, UK travelers have concerns that they need a visa to enter Europe. This, however, is not the case. Even though the UK is no longer part of the European Union, British people do not need a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen zone and remain there for the short term.
Although British people do not need a visa, they will need to apply for the ETIAS by the end of 2022. EU countries launch the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to significantly boost safety and security.
ETIAS is not a paper visa and will be much quicker to receive than a traditional visa application procedure. Applicants must complete the entire ETIAS application process online, which takes only a few minutes.
The biggest adjustment after Brexit for UK nationals is that their maximum stay is now limited to 90 days per 180-day period. British passport holders can understand more about filling out ETIAS application from the UK in the below blog. Before that, we will see what ETIAS is and how it functions.
What is ETIAS, and how will it work?
ETIAS is an entirely electronic system that permits and tracks visitors from visa-free countries entering the Schengen Zone. It has a similar purpose to a US ESTA visa.
ETIAS will cross-check travelers identity data given in their application against several databases. If there is any strong reason to suspect a particular application, the authorities will further check and process the application manually.
ETIAS will first check against the following databases:
Information systems already in place in the EU:
- Schengen Information System (SIS).
- Visa Information System (VIS).
- Europol data.
Future information systems in the European Union (EU):
- Entry/Exit System (EES).
- New Eurodac database.
Interpol databases:
- Interpol Stolen and Lost Travel Document database (SLTD).
- TDAWN – Travel Documents Associated with Notices.
Dedicated ETIAS watch list and specific risk indicators:
EU Border guards working at Schengen Area border crossing points will electronically scan travelers’ document data and register it in the Entry/Exit System. It triggers a query to ETIAS.
If the traveler has a valid travel authorization and fulfills all criteria, they will continue their journey. If they do not have a valid ETIAS, border guards will refuse entry and record this refusal in the Entry/Exit System.
Filling out ETIAS Application
It is anticipated that many ETIAS applicants will get access to Europe almost instantly after applying. However, to keep Europe safe for residents and visitors, it is vital to prevent some individuals from crossing the borders.
The most common reason for a traveler’s refusal of ETIAS is providing incorrect information on the application form. So, you need to answer all questions truthfully and completely to get the ETIAS.
You can fill out the ETIAS application within 10 minutes. It will be available online, so you won’t have to fill out paperwork. Based on the country of citizenship you select, the ETIAS system will ask you to fill out several fields. You need to provide the following information:
Biometric details of the applicant:
- Full name along with the first name, last name, usual name, any given names, and surname at birth (maiden name) if married or since changed. You can add if you have other names or alias(es).
- Date, place, and country of birth.
Personal details of the applicant:
- Your home address. If this detail is not available, you can share the city and country of residence instead.
- Valid contact phone numbers.
- Email address where you receive your ETIAS once it is approved.
- Current nationality.
- You need to mention if you have any other nationalities.
- Parents’ first names.
- Educational background (from primary school to higher education) or none if no education.
- Gender details.
- Occupation. Detailed information about the job designation, job specification, and details of the employer. Students need to give the school or college information.
Questions on Passport and your trip details
You need to pay extra attention when entering details such as the passport number. Any small mistake could result in delays or rejection.
- The passport/travel document number, passport-type, and issuing country.
- Date of issue and expiration of the travel document/passport.
- First EU country you plan to visit. Hotel or accommodation address where you are going to spend the first night.
- The planned destination country and accommodation address are not always known. This requirement is meant for people applying for ETIAS approval for the first time for a particular holiday or business trip. There is no need to notify the Subsequent trips to ETIAS authorities.
Questions on criminal record and conflict zones visits
It is essential to respond to security questions truthfully. Applicants should be aware that ETIAS will cross-check all information provided against several security databases. It includes Europol and Interpol and will detect when an applicant has tried to lie in their ETIAS application. You may need to answer the below,
- Sexual offenses against children.
- Trafficking in human beings.
- Trafficking of drugs.
- Rape or murder.
- Laundering of money.
- Criminal harm to persons or property damage.
- Terrorism in the previous twenty years and when and where the offenses took place must be specified.
- A deportation order from any EU country and/or any “third world country” requires a visa to enter the European Union.
- War zones and conflict locations visited or stayed in during the past ten years, and the intention of those trips or stays.
Questions on your health details
ETIAS will not only increase security, but it will also protect against serious health problems. Health-related questions on the ETIAS application form will assist European authorities in identifying individuals who may endanger public health. You need to answer the below carefully,
- Any Infectious diseases in the past.
- Contagious parasitic diseases, if any.
- Any kind of serious illness.
Minor details
Parents or guardians can fill out the ETIAS application form for minors, which is generally the same for adults. The following extra information is required in addition to the common questions:
- Parent/legal guardian name, address, email, and phone number(s).
- Relationship with the applicant, whether they are son or daughter.
Final check on ETIAS application
The applicant is accountable for ensuring that the entire application form is complete, accurate, and genuine. Incorrect data or inaccurate information will lead to a refusal.
As part of the application process, applicants must confirm that they are aware of the entry requirements for the ETIAS country or countries in question.
They also need to agree that they are willing to provide any additional documentation required upon arrival in the destination country. Some of these documents may be medical records or hotel bookings or travel arrangements, or flight information.
Submitting the ETIAS Application
Once finished, You can do the online submission. The total cost of the application has not been officially determined, but it is supposedly expected to be EUR 7. You can do the payment via credit or debit card when you finish the application.
The ETIAS system will perform the following actions:
- Cross-check that the information you provided is accurate.
- Check if you qualify.
- Examine your risk aspects.
You will get an ETIAS notification in your email if any problems, errors, or omissions on the form. Once you get ETIAS approval, it is valid for three years or until the expiry date of the passport, whichever comes first. Once ETIAS approval expires, you need to repeat the application process, including the fee payment.
If the ETIAS system detects some mismatch, the application will be manually processed. The manual processing takes 96 hours (4 days) to complete, or a maximum time of two weeks.
FAQ about ETIAS Application
Is it possible for an ETIAS application to be denied?
Yes, any ETIAS application can be rejected if it contains any of the series of issues:
- If the applicant has given a travel document that has been identified in the Schengen Information System – SIS II as lost, stolen, misappropriated, or invalidated.
- In case the applicant presents a severe threat to Schengen Area citizens and travelers.
- The applicant raises a high risk of illegal immigration or epidemic.
- An applicant has an existing SIS notification for the intention of refusing entry and stay.
- The applicant neglects to respond to a request for additional information, documentation, or an additional interview within the time frame specified.
What if the ETIAS application is rejected?
You will get an ETIAS status reply within minutes of submitting your application. Congratulations if it is accepted! If you don’t, you’ll get a refusal message. You will also find a reason in the denial message. You may appeal this decision, or you may revise your application and reapply based on the denial reason.
How to appeal an ETIAS application rejection decision?
You can certainly appeal against the decision if you can prove that the decision was made unfairly or by misjudgment. The ETIAS National Unit of the Member State is accountable for dismissing the application to describe applicants’ appeal protocols.
