Hint: No more booking that last-minute flight to Europe a few days before you travel!
Uh oh! The U.S. Passport isn't as powerful as it used to be. Say goodbye to booking that last-minute flight to Europe and get ready to spend some coins to sponsor your trip! Come 2024, you may need an EITAS for entry to Europe. Remember that the EITAS is not a visa requirement, and it will only take a few minutes on average, though there may be some discrepancies. You will only have to do this once every three years.
Even so, that means that a spontaneous adventure to Europe may need a bit of further planning ahead if you want to get a group together for that spring break trip! When applying using this official ETIAS website, you will be charged a fee of EUR 7. Applicants who are under 18 or over 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens and family members of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union.
You will need to have a passport from one of the following countries; please note this list is updated regularly to reflect the latest ETIAS-eligible countries:
Albania
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominica
El Salvador
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macau
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Republic of Moldova
Montenegro
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Macedonia
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Taiwan
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uruguay
Vanuatu (currently suspended from ETIAS until further notice)
Venezuela
Documents
You should ensure you have the following documents with you in order to apply:
Current Valid Passport - Your passport will need to be valid at the time you are arriving in Europe.
Machine Readable Passport - Your passport will need to contain a machine-readable section on the biographic details page.
Electronic Passport - Although this is not a universal requirement, your passport may need to be an electronic passport bearing the electronic passport sign.
Fees and Payment
The ETIAS application fee is €7, however, travelers under the age of 18 or over the age of 70 will not need to pay the fee. Debit and credit card payments are accepted.
Upon payment of the fee, paid by applicants between the ages of 18 to 70, the ETIAS application will be processed and a decision will be obtained within minutes.
Schengen Visa
If you are not eligible for ETIAS or your ETIAS application is denied, you need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Europe. If you wish to stay in the EU longer than the amount of time granted under the ETIAS, you will need to switch to the relevant visa category based on the purposes of your stay.
But overall, here's the breakdown of what you need to know:
How Much Will ETIAS Cost?
ETIAS will only cost €7 for each application. The fees are applicable to adults between the ages of 18 and 70. Minors and elder travelers (aged 70+) will not have to pay any fees. Immediately after you complete the payment, the ETIAS authorization will start processing.
How Do I Pay the ETIAS Fee?
The ETIAS fee can be paid online through a valid credit or debit card. All you need to do is enter your credit or debit card details and proceed with the payment. Upon payment, the application will be processed within minutes, and you will receive a decision on your application status.
Do I Have to Pay for ETIAS Every Time I Travel to Europe?
You only have to pay for ETIAS when completing the application. Once your ETIAS is approved, it will be valid for 3 years or until the end of the validity of your travel document. Therefore, you will not need to pay anything within the next three years from your first payment.
Once your ETIAS expires, you will then apply for a new ETIAS if you want to travel to Europe and pay the required fee, just like in the first application.
Do I Have to Pay for ETIAS if My Application Is Denied?
Yes, you have to pay the €7 processing fee for your ETIAS even if your application is later denied. If your ETIAS application is denied, you can appeal the decision or re-apply, but you will not be reimbursed.
If you decide to reapply, you will have to undergo the same application process and pay the same fee as you did the first time. Remember: You cannot finalize your application if you have not completed the payment process.
Additional Fees
The only fee you will be required to pay during your ETIAS application is the one determined by the EU (€7). However, if you choose to cooperate with private agencies to help you with your application process, you might be charged additional fees for their provided services.
Important: There will be an official platform to handle ETIAS applications, which means you do not need to apply through a mediary or pay for extra services. However, if you do decide to seek help with your ETIAS application, make sure you choose a liable company to avoid being a victim of a scam.
How Long Does the Application Process Take?
Filling out the application is quick and easy. Most applicants will receive their ETIAS travel authorization within minutes, but in some cases, the process may take up to 30 days. This is why you should apply well in advance of your travel to avoid complications.
When Will ETIAS Go into Effect?
ETIAS is not a visa, it is a visa waiver, similar to the U.S. ESTA and Canadian eTA. Travelers currently visiting European Member countries visa-free will require an ETIAS from 2024 onwards.
The new system is best thought of as a database to track who’s authorized to enter European countries, rather than as a visa. The authorization, once given, is valid for three years and permits short trips — 90 days or fewer at a given time. Longer stays, like for school or work, already require visas.
Though it may seem like a major change for Americans and citizens of other countries that currently have visa-free entry to European countries, the US has its own authorization system, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA. Citizens and eligible residents of certain countries — mostly in Europe, but also including South Korea, Brunei, Chile, and Japan — don’t have to have a visa for shorter visits to the US, but they do need ESTA authorization. Visa holders don’t require ESTA authorization, because obtaining a visa requires much more information from travelers and an interview at a consulate.
So, fellow Americans, I guess it's finally time to pay up!
Keep track of ETIAS official updates here.
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