EU’s ETIAS for the UK will not be Mandated until 2023
By support@click2visas.com
3 years
Britons traveling to European Union member countries after January 2021, when the Brexit transition period ends, will not be required to apply for EU travel authorization, as previously announced.
While the ETIAS is scheduled to go into effect in 2022, a European Commission official confirmed that the date the ETIAS regulation becomes effective and the date it becomes mandatory for almost every visa-free traveler are two separate dates. This means that Britons will not be required to apply for an ETIAS in 2022.
The EC official stated that the ETIAS would not be mandatory for most travelers for at least the first year of its implementation, as the EU wants to give travelers and border checks time to adjust to the new requirement.
As a result, UK citizens do not require ETIAS until 2023.
ETIAS’s Scheduled Timeline:
September 14th, 2016: In his State of the Union Address, President Juncker declares that a system is required and will be built to protect EU citizens. In addition, he announces that a system will be proposed in November.
November 16th, 2016: The European Parliament and the Council’s first proposal for a regulation establishing an ETIAS system. The European Commission publishes this proposal.
May 16th, 2017: The European Commission issues a report on progress toward achieving an effective ETIAS in Security Union.
June 29th, 2017: The Commission proposed establishing a centralized ECRIS-Third Country National System, a centralized database that will assist member states in verifying non-EU citizens’ convictions.
October 19th, 2017: ETIAS development costs are estimated to be 212,1 million Euros. The Civil Liberties Committee approved the negotiating mandate by a vote of 39.
December 12th, 2017: The EU Commission proposed closing information gaps by upgrading European Union information systems for security, migration, and border management, making them more efficient in their collaboration. These enhancements and upgrades would have a direct impact on ETIAS.
April 25th, 2018: Julian King, European Commissioner for Security Union, announces the achievement of Political Consensus on ETIAS.
July 5th, 2018: The ETIAS Regulation is approved with 494 votes in favor. The Commission applauds the European Parliament’s adoption of the ETIAS system and establishing a stronger EU-LISA Agency. The final agreement for the establishment of the ETIAS system is reached.
September 5th, 2018: The European Council has given its approval to the ETIAS travel authorization system. Following this adoption, the adopted regulation will be signed by the Council and the European Parliament.
April 16th, 2019: The European Commission applauds the passage of new legislation that will deny terrorists and criminals the means and space to operate. The European Union has adopted two Security Union legislative initiatives on interoperability and explosive precursors proposed by the Commission.
Late 2022: ETIAS will be expected to be launched officially in late 2022.
2023: Most travelers will not be required to use ETIAS for at least the first year of its implementation. As a result, ETIAS will not be required until 2023.
What is ETIAS System?
ETIAS: European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is an electronic system designed by the EU to track visitors from countries whose citizens do not need a Schengen visa to enter Europe. It is linked to several international databases, which can verify your identity in minutes.
Certain visitors are permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days without obtaining a Schengen Visa. However, using the ETIAS travel system, it would be able to track anyone wishing to enter the EU and prevent potential national threats.
Why is the EU deploying the ETIAS system?
The online ETIAS application will be used to improve border security and make European countries even safer.
The new ETIAS system will pre-screen visitors to ensure they are not a health or safety risk. Travelers will only enter the Schengen zone without a visa if they pass this screening process.
To cross-check the UK applicants, Schengen security databases such as the ETIAS watch list,Europol data, and the Schengen Information System will be used.
UK nationals and residents will need to apply for a visa to travel to Europe if the ETIAS is denied.
When do Britons need to apply for ETIAS?
As we saw earlier, when the ETIAS enters into force and becomes mandatory for all visa-free travelers, it is not the same date. ETIAS UK will not be mandatory for at least the first year of its implementation.
The EU would like to allow both border checks and travelers to adjust to the new requirement. So ETIAS is not mandatory until 2023, and UK citizens and residents can apply for ETIAS in 2023.
If the EU does not extend the transition and adaptation grace periods, the ETIAS UK will become mandatory for all Schengen Area travelers in 2022.
ETIAS Requirements for UK Citizens:
Citizens and residents of the UK can apply for the ETIAS waiver for travel to the Schengen Area. Below UK ETIAS applicants will find a list of requirements that each traveler must meet.
- A valid UK passport or other ETIAS-approved country passports.
- A debit card or credit card will be required to pay the ETIAS UK application fee.
- An active and valid email address so that the decision on whether or not to grant the ETIAS can be communicated.
Each UK traveler must truthfully and accurately complete the ETIAS application form.
ETIAS Application Process for UK Citizens:
For UK applicants, the ETIAS application will be completed entirely online. This means that travelers will not need to be in the UK when applying for the visa waiver.
Despite the fact that the ETIAS application is designed to be completed quickly and easily, all information provided must be correct and up to date. Mistakes may cause the ETIAS UK to be delayed or rejected entirely.
UK nationals and residents applying for the ETIAS visa waiver must provide the following information in addition to paying the ETIAS fee by debit or credit card:
- Personal information such as the traveler’s full name, place and date of birth, and gender.
- Contact information such as email address, current address, and phone number
- Passport information includes the passport number, date of issue, expiration date, and country of issue.
- Travel plans include which countries travelers intend to visit and which other Schengen countries they intend to visit.
In addition to the information mentioned above, travelers may be asked to answer additional security and health questions. This info is then cross-checked against the Schengen security systems to detect any potential threats.
ETIAS applicants are notified of their status via email.
Although European authorities anticipate a 95% acceptance rate for the ETIAS authorization system, the possibility of denial remains. In such cases, the ETIAS UK applicant will be notified by email and allowed to appeal the decision. All appeals will be directed solely to the Schengen member country into which the traveler intends to first enter and will be handled under the laws of that country.
It should be noted that ETIAS does not guarantee admission to Europe; the final decision is made by European border officials at the entry port.
