ETIAS

Q: What is ETIAS?

ETIAS stands for “European Travel Information and Authorization System”. European union created this program to keep track and do background check for the visitors who are traveling to European Union countries. ETIAS is an Electronic system similar to US’s ESTA, similarly it also serve the purpose of protecting and strengthening the border security of European countries. Incoming flux of Immigrants and Increasing number of terrorists attacks in European countries affected EU to introduce ETIAS. Citizen from 61 countries who didn’t need visa before traveling to Europe will now have to obtain ETIAS before traveling into EU and Schengen member countries. Earlier they had the facility of getting a visa on arrival if they were visiting as tourists or for business purposes, but after the introduction of ETIAS now they will apply for it before traveling. They will be able to obtain it after a simple application submitted online and payment of fees, for 3 years or until the passport expiration date of Applicant depending on the approval from Authorities.

Q: What is the purpose of ETIAS?

ETIAS was introduced by Jean-Claude Junker, The president of the European Commission, who said

“We need to know who is crossing our borders. This way we will know who is traveling to Europe before they even get here.”

Europe Especially EU countries has been a favorite destination for tourists and businessmen all around the world, which makes the region a frequently visited by people around the world. But in the recent years of immigrants from all over the world also desire to reach Europe and with them the Terrorists. A wave of terror attacks throughout the European countries forced EU to think about the new policies and precautionary measures to make sure that people who are already living in and the people who travel to EU are safe. ETIAS is created with the aims to identify and the visitors who pose any kind of threat or who are security risk and prevent them from entering the EU countries. ETIAS will also assist European commission in reduction of time for applications and procedure, improvement in border management of EU countries, reduce irregular immigration and reinforcement of policies for visa liberalization in EU. To summarize, ETIAS will be a key tool for Authorities to keep track of every person entering and making sure it is safe for everyone.

Q: Who need ETIAS?

There are around 61 countries whose people can visit EU countries or Schengen Area without a visa prior to travel. They all are given visa on arrival, whether they are traveling for purposes of business, medical treatments or for tourism. ETIAS targets all those people, all the citizen from these countries are obliged to obtain ETIAS before traveling to EU. ETIAS will allow authorities to have all the basic and necessary information about visitors before they travel. It has happens a lot of time before when visitors were rejected entry on arrival, and also a lot of visitors does not go back after the expiration of their visa and end being another burden on already derailing economy of EU countries. ETIAS will facilitate both the visitors and authorities to stay clear of any kind of hustle. So after the implementation of ETIAS visitors from these 61 countries whose citizen does not require a visa will need to have ETIAS before traveling, Once ETIAS is issued visitor can visit any of 26 countries in EU.

Q: How to get ETIAS, and how it works?

Visitors will apply for ETIAS before traveling, as we already discussed it is different then On Arrival Visa so they will need ETIAS before they travel to these countries. So they will have to apply for ETIAS online. Visa-Exempt Non-EU citizens gonna have to fill out a simple online application which only takes around 10 minutes. Data requested in application will be as simple as:

l Personal Data (Name, Address, date of birth etc.)

l Travel document (Passport or equivalent document)

l Member state of first intended stay

l Background questions relating to previous criminal records, presence in conflict zone, orders to leave the territory of a member state or third country, return decisions issued

l If the application is submitted by the person other than of the applicant, identify the person or the company he or she represents.

After filling out all these details required in the application, applicant will have to pay 7 Euros application fees and ETIAS application will be automatically submitted. After that authorities will process the application, check it against databases (SIS/VIS/EUROPOL DATA/STD AND TDAWN/EURODEC etc) plus ETIAS including its screening rules and watch-list. If there is any hit from the system the application will go manual processing by ETIAS control unit. The applicant will receive answer within 4 weeks, in case of approval applicant will be ETIAS valid for 3 years or until the expiry date of traveling document. In case of refusal or rejection there will be no justification from Authorities and applicant have the right to appeal again. After the implementation of the law No visitor will be allowed to board or enter the EU countries without Valid ETIAS, keeping in mind guards at any border check-post guards are still eligible to deny entry to any visitor. These are the simple steps to follow to obtain a valid ETIAS.

Remember ETIAS is introduced by EU authorities to make sure of the safety of EU citizens and visitors, their goal is to make EU a safe place for everyone and make procedure more easy and secure. So please make sure you have a Valid ETIAS before traveling in EU countries and follow all the rules implemented by Authorities.