What is ETIAS?
The Travel Information and Authorisation System (SEIAV) or ETIASwhich has been created by the European Union for citizens of countries currently exempt from a visa to visit the Schengen area.
The main objective of ETIAS is to contribute to the security of European borders by facilitating the identification of possible threats and risks associated with people wishing to travel to any of the Schengen countries. The authorisation will be necessary to access the Schengen countries by air, land or sea. As of 2024, all foreign visitors free of a visa to travel to Europe will be required to process this authorisation. The introduction of the ETIAS permit will not change free transit, but it will be a mandatory requirement for entry into Europe.
It's not a European visa., but a travel authorisation for third-country nationals who are exempt from a visa to travel to more than 20 Schengen countries. There are currently more than 50 countries that need to apply for ETIAS travel permit to visit the Schengen area. The authorisation is designed for short-term travel that can reach up to 90 days. All those who wish to travel to Europe for tourism, transit or business must be allowed to travel to any of the Schengen countries.
Once the ETIAS is approved by the system, the permit will be valid for 3 consecutive years or until the applicant's passport expires, whichever happens first.
It recalls that the travel authorisation does not exempt visa-free visitors from passing through security points at the ports of entry upon arrival in the EU, as does other passengers.
