Is ETIAS a visa?
ETIAS is an electronic authorization, not a visa. It’s designed to help screen for risks that visa-exempt travelers might pose, e.g., security breaches, irregular migration, or high epidemic potential.
Who needs ETIAS authorization?
ETIAS authorization will be needed if:
- The traveler is not a European Union national.
- The traveler is a citizen of a country where nationals don’t currently need a visa for a short-term stay in an EU country.
- The traveler does not possess a residence permit or card issued by any of the European countries that require ETIAS.
Some travelers may be exempt from ETIAS.
What does the ETIAS process look like?
ETIAS will collect personal data, travel document information like passport number and expiry dates, parent names, employment details, intended destination, legal information, and details about family in the EU.
ETIAS approval will be electronically linked to the traveler’s passport. The passport holder will be permitted to enter and pass through a member country and to remain there for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Travelers will need to show their passport, ETIAS documents and other required documents to border guards. The ETIAS authorization does not automatically mean a traveler will be allowed into a country. Border guards will make final decisions about entry.
Travelers must have a valid ETIAS for their entire stay. Leaving and returning are allowed as long as the travel is for 90 days within the 180-day window. The ETIAS travel authorization is good for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
How do I apply for ETIAS?
The ETIAS application hasn’t opened. Once ETIAS launches, affected travelers can apply on the ETIAS website or app. Most travelers can expect to pay an application fee (€7 or US$7.79). Travelers of all ages will be required to obtain an ETIAS.
For more information, contact your BCD program manager. You can also visit your official country government site or the official ETIAS website at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en.
