DEFINITION OF ETIAS
ETIAS is short for European Travel Information and Authorization System, a full-fledged electronic system that allows and also tracks visitors from other countries who do not require a visa to enter the Schengen Area. The legal procedures required to pass ETIAS began in 2016 and the system will likely be operational by 2021.
ETIAS will go through a security check for each applicant to determine whether they will be allowed to enter any of the Schengen Area countries. ETIAS helps ensure that authorized persons do not pose a threat to national security. ETIAS will be used primarily for touristic and commercial purposes and will also benefit people visiting Schengen Area countries for transit or medical reasons.
PURPOSE OF ETIAS
ETIAS empowered to prioritize the safety of EU countries to help ensure safe travel. ETIAS helps reduce security concerns with data collection and information systems that help detect whether a particular person poses any threat to the security of Schengen Area countries.
ETIAS authorization also assists travelers and EU countries by reducing necessary procedures and application time, improving the management of EU country borders, helping to detect and reduce terrorism and crime, and helping to prevent irregular migration. By strengthening the EU’s policy on visa liberalization. Thus, ETIAS authorization helps make traveling to EU countries a safe and hassle-free experience.
WHO WILL NEED ETIAS?
ETIAS is intended for citizens of countries who can enter the EU region without a visa. There are 62 countries on the list that need to obtain ETIAS authorization such as Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Vatican City State, Hong Kong, SAR and many more. More countries may be added to this list when the system is released, which is expected to be in 2021.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ETIAS
ETIAS applications can be completed online in about 10 minutes. Depending on your citizenship, there are some fields that need to be filled. The basic requirements are: the person’s nationality, address, email, phone number, biometric information such as name, surname, date of birth and place of birth along with information about education and work experience, first EU country the person plans to visit, background on eligibility and inquiries along with information about medical conditions, traveling to countries of war or places where the person has been denied or deported criminal and investigation for knowledge of any record.
For minors, their legal guardian should apply to ETIAS. If any EU citizen has family members in other countries, the person must present proof of kinship, residence card and other background information if required. Always check that the information submitted is correct and also make sure to check your eligibility and risk factors.
