New ETIAS travel document to enter Europe

The European Union will impose a mandatory document for travel to the Schengen Area, with travelers from more than 60 visa-exempt countries being required to obtain a new travel permit known as the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to allow entry to most European countries from 2024. This new ETIAS permit is an important electronic document aimed at facilitating and simplifying travel to the Schengen Area.

Firstly, it is worth noting that the new travel permit to the Schengen area is mainly related to travelers coming from countries exempt from the Schengen visa. As for travelers coming from countries that require a prior Schengen visa before travel, they will not be covered by this new policy, and the requirements and steps for obtaining a Schengen visa will remain as they are.

What is an ETIAS permit in brief?

To begin with, the new ETIAS travel authorization has been prepared as an electronic travel authorization by the European Commission. This permit allows a security check for those wishing to travel to 30 countries in the Schengen Area, to determine whether they can enter the area or not.

This document will be linked to the traveler's passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

From 2024, the ETIAS travel permit will be linked to passports. It will be necessary for those people who obtain a new passport to also obtain a new ETIAS travel permit. Your ETIAS permit and passport will be checked by Border Patrol upon arrival, just as they are when entering the United States.

With this permit, travelers will be able to enter the 27 countries in the Schengen Area, in addition to Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus, for a period of up to 90 days within a 6-month period.

However, an ETIAS permit does not guarantee entry; There will still be specific requirements for citizens of some visa-exempt countries. Upon arrival, border guards will request to see travelers' passports and other documents to verify their compliance with entry conditions.

What is the difference between an ETIAS permit and a Schengen visa?

The ETIAS is an electronic point of entry and not a visa in the traditional sense. This permit is simply intended to facilitate the entry of travelers from countries that do not currently require a visa into the Schengen Area. It relies on an IT system to estimate the security and irregular migration risks that visa-exempt visitors may pose during their visit to the region.

When applying for an ETIAS permit, results will be quick and most travelers will receive answers within a few minutes. No travel to the consulate or submission of biometric data is required, and much less information is collected compared to the visa application procedure.

In contrast, the Schengen visa procedure can take up to 15 days (and sometimes even 30 or 60 days in some cases). In comparison, an online ETIAS application takes only a few minutes. In addition, the ETIAS permit remains valid for three years, which represents a much longer period of validity than a Schengen visa.

How to obtain a new travel permit?

The new ETIAS travel authorization process will allow travelers to apply online easily and quickly. Although the European Commission has not yet revealed the website through which the application will take place, it has confirmed the necessary steps to obtain an ETIAS permit as follows:

1. Providing information: Travelers will be asked to provide personal information, including travel document details, education level, current employment, and planned travel and stay information.

2. Disclosure of information: Any previous criminal convictions must be disclosed, information about travel to conflict areas, and whether travelers have recently been expelled from any country.

3. Family information: If travelers plan to visit family members residing in the Schengen Area, they will need to provide additional information about them.

4. Valid passport: Tourists must provide valid passport information that is valid for a period of not less than three months.

5. Permit cost: The cost of the service will be 7 euros for adults, and free for those under 17 years of age and over 70 years of age.

6. Order Confirmation: After submitting the order, travelers will receive an email containing the order confirmation and their ETIAS order number.

7. Order Results: Another email with the result will be sent once the order has been processed.

Although most applications are processed quickly, the European Union recommends submitting an ETIAS permit application well in advance of a traveler's planned trip, especially if additional information or documents need to be provided.

ETIAS clearance verification at the border

When you arrive at the border, you must be equipped with the same passport that was used to obtain your ETIAS permit. A travel permit is linked to a passport, and without it, travelers will not be allowed to board a plane, bus, or ship, nor enter any European country that imposes the ETIAS system.

Upon entering any of the 30 countries on the ETIAS list, approved travelers will be able to enjoy a stay of up to 90 days within a 6-month period. This means that they can come and go, but they cannot stay in any of these countries for more than 90 consecutive days.

Reasons for not authorizing an ETIAS permit

If your ETIAS travel authorization application passes the approval test, or if the authorization is canceled after it has been granted, you will receive an email notification stating the reasons for the rejection and the destination of the decision. Reasons that may lead to non-declaration include:

1. Failure to attend the interview: In case there are doubts about the information provided, the relevant authorities may request an interview. If the applicant does not appear for the interview or does not submit the required additional documents within the specified dates, this may result in the refusal of the ETIAS permit.

2. Expired passport: The passport must be valid when submitting the ETIAS permit application. If the passport is declared lost, stolen or expired, the application may be rejected.

3. Medical Information: In some cases, a permit may be denied if the applicant is deemed a “high epidemic risk.” However, no medical questions are asked in the ETIAS application.

4. No guarantee of entry: It should be noted that the declaration of an ETIAS permit does not 100% guarantee entry into European territory. Instead, the clearance is set at the airport control level only.

Is it possible to file an appeal in case of rejection?

Yes, you have the right to file an appeal if your travel authorization application is rejected. The email notifying you of the rejection includes information about the European countries to which you can appeal and explains the procedure. Appeals are handled in accordance with the national laws of those countries. However, if your travel permit is canceled at your own request, an appeal cannot be made against this decision.