ETIAS: EU’s New Travel Authorization for Visa Exempted Countries

Are you one of the nationals who can enter the Schengen Zone without a visa? If yes, then this is for you. EU is planning to roll out Electronic Travel Authorization from Jan 2022. Don’t worry; this is not a visa; it’s a travel authorization to keep track of visitors.

The EU has repeatedly stated that it wants to make traveling within its borders more secure. However, due to recent terrorist activities and migrant crisis management, the EU decided to keep track of who enters the border.

The EU has decided to implement an online system that will allow them to track visitors. ETIAS is an online system, so it avoids complex procedures and waits times at consulate.

This article will provide you with all of the details you need to know about ETIAS and whether you are eligible for it.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS):

ETIAS is an entirely electronic system that allows and tracks visitors from non-visa-required countries to enter the Schengen Zone. It is similar to the US ESTA – Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which serves a similar purpose.

Currently, 62 countries are not EU members but do not require a visa to enter Schengen Zone. Citizens of these countries can enter Schengen Zone countries for business or travel up to 90 days. These visitors are not permitted to work or study during their 90-day stay, but they can only do business and tourism activities.

ETIAS is only available to citizens of these 62 countries. However, it is not currently in use; it will be fully implemented in 2022 end.

Each applicant will be subjected to a thorough security check by the ETIAS to determine their eligibility to enter any Schengen Zone country. But it doesn’t mean that ETIAS is not a lengthy process. On the contrary, it’s simple and easy. It will ensure that travelers do not pose any security risk in the EU.

ETIAS system will collect, track, and update visitor information to determine whether it is safe for them to enter Schengen countries.

In addition, with business and tourism purposes, ETIAS will allow people to visit Schengen countries for medical and transit purposes. Furthermore, it is mandatory for all Schengen visa-free countries.

Need of ETIAS Authorization System:

As per the EU, the first and foremost reason is security. Therefore, the EU wants to ensure the safe travel of the visitors in its member states.

Through its information and data gathering systems, the ETIAS will significantly reduce security concerns. This means that the ETIAS will detect if a person poses a threat to the security of Schengen countries in any way.

In addition to making travel safer, the new travel authorization will benefit EU countries and all travelers in the following ways:

• Save travelers time: Reduce the number of procedures and application times.
• Border Management: Improve EU country border management.
• Security: Assist in the detection and reduction of crime and terrorism.
• Migration management: Impose restrictions on irregular migration.
• Reinforce the EU’s visa liberalization policy.

Who will need ETIAS from 2022?

As previously stated, the ETIAS is for citizens of countries that have visa-free access to the EU zone. As a result, the following countries will require ETIAS authorization:

EU can add more countries before the launch of the system. Still, for the time being, all citizens of the countries above will need to obtain ETIAS authorization before entering any EU country.

How ETIAS System Works?

The very next question that comes to our mind is how the system works? Here is the answer for you. The ETIAS system will be easy to use, saving applicants and processing time. Please refer to the below points for your better understanding of ETIAS.

Apply ETIAS online: If you are a non-EU citizen and Schengen visa-free nationals, apply ETIAS online. You can apply for ETIAS from home, like electronic visa applications.

Fill in the Form: Fill in the details asked in the ETIAS form and answer security questions. Form is very simple. ETIAS will take only ten minutes to complete.

Pay the Fee: Pay the ETIAS fee of 7 Euro online. Payment is applicable for adults between 18 to 70.

Automatic Application Processing: The system will automatically process your form. Entered details and security answers will be checked against various databases like SIS/VIS/EUROPOL DATA etc.

In case there is a hit in the automatic processing, then it will go to Manual Process. In the Manual process, ETIAS National and Center Unit staff will go through your application.

Issuing Travel Authorization: After the complete check, the system will send a response. Either your ETIAS application will be approved or rejected.

If it is accepted, the system will issue an authorization. If your application is rejected, the system will notify you of the reason for the rejection.

A travel authorization is valid for three years from the date of issue. Usually, your application will get processed within four weeks. In case of rejection, you can appeal again.

You need to show your ETIAS at the airline’s boarding point and the point of entry.

How do I file an appeal against an ETIAS rejection decision?

Every rejected applicant has the right to appeal the decision if he or she can demonstrate that the decision wasunfair or taken due to some mistake.

The ETIAS National Unit of the respective Member State responsible for rejecting the application should explain the appeal procedures to applicants.

The Most Common Reasons for Rejection of ETIAS Applications and How to Appeal a Negative Decision

Travelers who does not meet the requirements for ETIAS travel authorization will have their application rejected by the ETIAS National Unit of the respective Member State responsible for processing your application.

The following are the main reasons why an ETIAS application got rejected,

• If an applicant is using a travel document that was reported as lost, stolen, misappropriated, or invalidated in the SIS system
• An applicant poses a potential threat to Schengen Area countries, citizens, and visitors.
• The applicant poses an illegal immigration threat. This means that the Member State issuing the ETIAS believes the applicant intends to stay in the Schengen Zone illegally upon arrival with an ETIAS.
• The applicant poses a high epidemic risk because he or she is from or has recently visited an area where an epidemic outbreak has happened.
• An applicant, who has alert from SIS to deny entry and stay.
• ETIAS applicant who fails to respond to a request for additional information or documentation within the deadlines specified.
• In some cases, the EU will call the applicant for an interview. In that case, if the applicant fails to appear for an interview, then the application will get rejected.

A travel authorization will also be denied if there are reasonable and serious doubts about any of the following,

The creditability of the statements made by the applicant in the form

• Authenticity of the data,
• The reliability of their contents
• The supporting documents provided by the applicant.

Don’t worry about the new travel authorization process. Once the launch is set, Click2visas will start the ETIAS service at a low service cost. Once the ETIAS is implemented, raise the ETIAS request. Then, we will book your ETIAS without any delay or problem.