Thursday, August 4, 2022

ETIAS - What it is, how it will work and how you will need to apply

  


What is ETIAS?

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The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a visa waiver program that is expected to come into effect by November 2023. The aim of ETIAS Europe is to provide a more secure journey to EU member countries as well as to strengthen the borders of the Schengen Area by pre-checking the data of travellers before they enter the zone.

Citizens from over 50 eligible countries will need to complete the online application and obtain an approved ETIAS visa waiver before entering any of the Schengen countries, including also countries joining in a near future such us Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania. The program will be very similar to the ESTA visa waiver that many nationalities need to obtain before travelling to the US.

The ETIAS visa waiver will allow eligible visitors to enter the Schengen Area for short-term stays of up to 90 days for tourism, transit or business. Travellers can move freely between the Schengen countries as there are no internal hard borders within the zone.

ETIAS EU is considered to be a visa waiver program, which means ETIAS is not a visa. Also, this special travel authorisation does not require applicants to physically go to an embassy or consulate. The whole process will be completed online.

Who needs an ETIAS visa waiver?

There are currently more than 50 nationalities who will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver though more countries may be added to the list in the future. It is key to understand that after ETIAS is implemented in November 2023, the current visa-free countries will continue to have this status, the only difference being the need to obtain a valid ETIAS along with their passports.

Citizens from non-eligible countries will need to apply for a Schengen Europe visa to enter the region. There are also different types of visas available for people who want to study or work in Europe as ETIAS is not a visa and is not designed for these purposes.

Countries of origin

ETIAS countries

How does the ETIAS system work?

Once ETIAS has been implemented, citizens from eligible countries will need to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver before entering any of the countries in the Schengen Area, Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania. The online application will only take a matter of minutes to complete.

Applicants will need to answer a series of questions by entering basic information such as their name, address, date of birth, and passport details. There will also be some questions regarding health and security.

The information provided by applicants will be screened using relevant security databases. The majority of applications will be processed within minutes though some may take longer.

Once approved, the ETIAS visa waiver will be sent to the applicant electronically. Travellers will be able to present this special travel document when they arrive in the Schengen Area to gain entry.

Why a European travel authorisation?

The ETIAS visa waiver program has been created to strengthen the security of the region. Screening travellers before they enter the Schengen Area, Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania will allow the authorities to identify potential security risks and prevent them from entering the zone.

The European Commission adopted the ETIAS proposal in November 2016. It is part of an effort to enhance border management as a response to the growing number of terrorist attacks across Europe’s major cities.

ETIAS will protect visitors to the Schengen Area as well as European citizens and residents. The online ETIAS application process has been designed to be hassle-free and straightforward, and there will be no need to go to an embassy or consulate.


The European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS) goes live in November 2023. Travellers from non-EU countries who are exempt from visa requirements will need to register.

The ETIAS regulation applies to all countries in the Schengen Area, plus those in the process of joining the border-free travel zone. ETIAS will be required to visit Cyprus by November 2023.

Applying for ETIAS for Cyprus will be quick and convenient. The ETIAS application is 100% online, with no need to attend an embassy or consulate.

With an ETIAS visa waiver for Cyprus, tourists and business travellers can visit the country visa-free for up to 3 months.

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Cyprus, the EU, and the Schengen Area

Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since March 1, 2004. This means that EU citizens can visit, work, and reside in Cyprus without applying for a visa.

Cyprus is now in the process of joining the Schengen Area. As an EU nation, it will eventually join the border-free travel zone.

Whilst not yet a member, the visa policy of Cyprus is based on the Schengen acquis. Cyprus allows non-European citizens from several countries to enter without a visa. ETIAS will be needed to enter Cyprus from these visa-exempt nations.

Who needs ETIAS to travel to Cyprus?

ETIAS for Cyprus will be required for all visa-exempt visitors, with the exception of EU citizens.

Passport holders from more than 50 countries will need to apply for ETIAS to travel to Cyprus. Visa-waiver countries include Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

ETIAS is not a visa but will be a mandatory entry requirement for Cyprus. With the approved authorisation, tourists and business travellers can visit Cyprus visa-free for up to 90 days per 180-day period.

Anyone who does not meet the ETIAS Travel requirements for Cyprus must hold a valid visa. Visas are issued by embassies.

Passport and document requirements for the Cyprus ETIAS

You can apply for an ETIAS visa waiver for Cyprus online if you meet passport and document requirements. All applicants need:

  • Valid passport from an ETIAS eligible country
  • Credit or debit card to pay the ETIAS fees
  • Email address to receive travel authorisation

As ETIAS is not a visa, you do not need additional supporting documents. You must travel to Cyprus using the passport you used to apply for ETIAS. The travel authorisation is electronically linked to the passport.

How to apply for a Cyprus ETIAS

Travellers from eligible countries can apply for a Cyprus ETIAS online in 3 steps:

  1. Fill out the online ETIAS Cyprus application form
  2. Pay the ETIAS for the Cyprus processing fee
  3. Submit the ETIAS application for review

Travellers receive their approved visa waiver by email.

How long does it take to get an ETIAS visa waiver for Cyprus?

It takes just a few minutes to complete the ETIAS for Cyprus application form. Visa waiver processing is also fast and most people receive their approved visa waiver soon after submitting the request.

ETIAS for Cyprus application form

Basic personal information, passport data, and travel information are required to fill out the ETIAS for Cyprus application form.

Required information includes:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Nationality
  • Passport details
  • Contact information

There are also some mandatory health and security questions.

All the information provided is automatically cross-checked against Schengen security databases. Most applications will be approved straight away.

In the rare case that there is a security alert, the application is reviewed manually. This process will make Cyprus an even safer travel destination.

Travelling to Cyprus with ETIAS

Travelling to Cyprus with ETIAS will be convenient. The travel authorisation is automatically linked to the passport used to apply. ETIAS will be verified when the passport is scanned at immigration.

With ETIAS, travellers can enter Cyprus through air and sea borders. Most international visitors fly into one of these international airports in Cyprus:

  • Larnaca International Airport (LCA)
  • Paphos International Airport (PFO)
  • Nicosia International Airport (NIC)

The same ETIAS can be used to travel to Cyprus multiple times during its 3-year validity. With one travel authorisation, tourists and business travellers can visit any of the Schengen countries plus Cyprus, Bulgaria, Croatia, or Romania.

The maximum stay in any of these countries is 90 days per 180-day period.


ETIAS application process

The ETIAS application process is straightforward and easy to understand. The ETIAS registration form will simply gather a traveller’s essential information as well as their passport details.

Before starting the ETIAS registration process, applicants must make sure that they have a:

  • A passport, valid beyond the intended stay in Europe
  • An email address
  • A debit or credit card

Without a valid passport it is not possible to register for an ETIAS visa waiver. The email address is necessary to receive notifications in regards to the traveller’s ETIAS application status.

To obtain the European visa waiver to travel to the Schengen Area, applicants need to pay a fee before submitting the registration ETIAS form.

Important: ETIAS is not a visa, but a visa waiver, which means this travel document is meant to be a special travel permit or authorisation for all current visa-free countries as of November 2023.

How to apply for ETIAS visa waiver

Citizens from eligible countries should meet the ETIAS requirements and complete the registration form with their details.  The ETIAS registration form should take applicants approximately ten minutes to fill out.

Citizens of over 50 countries are eligible to apply for ETIAS. When filling out the form they must provide a series of personal details which include:

  • Full name (as it appears on the passport)
  • Date and place of birth
  • Gender
  • Address
  • Nationality
etias application

When completing the registration for ETIAS, all applicants must include their passport information: passport number, issuing date and expiration date.

Before submitting the ETIAS form, each applicant must answer a series of security questions, some of which are related to their health and former travels.

The information provided by applicants on the ETIAS online application is screened using several security databases such as EURODAC, Visa Information System (VIS) and Schengen Information System (SIS).

When completing the form, travellers are advised to carefully enter and revise their details as mistakes or inaccuracies could result in ETIAS not being approved.

ETIAS Process

  1. ETIAS goes live

    ETIAS will be launched in November 2023.

  2. Meet the requirements

    To be eligible, foreign nationals must be from a visa-exempt country. ETIAS is for short stays in Europe, up to 90 days per 180-day period.

  3. Apply for ETIAS

    Eligible travellers will need to apply for ETIAS before departure. ETIAS will be required to enter the Schengen Area visa-free from a third country.

  4. Complete the ETIAS form

    Personal information, passport details, and health and security information will be required to complete the electronic ETIAS application form.

  5. Pay the ETIAS fees

    Travellers will pay the ETIAS processing fee securely online by debit or credit card to finalise their application.

  6. ETIAS processing

    ETIAS applications are automatically screened against EU security databases. Most will be approved at this stage, others may require manual processing.

  7. Application decision

    An ETIAS success rate of more than 95% is expected. Applicants will be notified by email when a decision has been reached. ETIAS approval is required to travel.

  8. Verification when boarding

    ETIAS will be checked when boarding international transport bound for Europe. Travellers will not be allowed to board a plane, ferry, or coach without a valid ETIAS.

  9. Arrival in the EU

    Schengen border guards will verify each traveller’s ETIAS and other travel documents. European officials decide whether to grant entry.

  10. Visit Europe with ETIAS

    ETIAS holders can enjoy up to 90 days in Europe in any 180-day period. It is valid for tourism, business, and transit in all Schengen Area countries.

How long does it take to obtain ETIAS

It will not take travellers long to obtain their ETIAS visa waiver. It is expected that the ETIAS system will process the majority of applications within minutes. However, travellers are advised to complete their application online at least 72 hours prior to their trip.

In similar visa waiver programmes in countries such as the USA, Canada, and Australia, about 95% of applications are quickly approved. A similar approval rate for ETIAS is predicted. When an ETIAS visa waiver has been approved, the applicant will be immediately notified via email.

Fill in the online application form
Use a valid credit or debit card to pay the ETIAS fee
Receive the approved online visa in your email inbox

ETIAS duration

Once ETIAS has been approved, it will be valid for a period of 3 consecutive years, or until the traveller’s passport expires.

The ETIAS visa waiver will grant its holder the right to travel to and within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

An approved ETIAS can be used to visit member states of the Schengen Area on multiple occasions.

ETIAS cannot be extended. This means that once it has expired, it will no longer be valid. The traveller will need to register online again, and obtain a new travel authorisation to visit the region.

Approving or refusing the travel authorisation

On rare occasions, an ETIAS application may not be approved.

The system will screen all applications against security databases which include an ETIAS watchlist, Interpol and Europol. During this screening process, red flags that have been raised about certain travellers will be activated.

If there are discrepancies in the information provided by the applicant, ETIAS will likely be refused.

It is important to note that the ETIAS system is being developed to improve Europe’s border security. The objective is to identify individuals that may pose a threat, not to disrupt travel to the region. In fact, ETIAS is meant to provide a better travel experience for all third-country nationals who are visiting the EU member countries.

Reasons for ETIAS denial

An ETIAS travel authorisation could be denied for various reasons. Before applying, travellers should make sure they have a valid passport.

Please note the following reasons that could result in the ETIAS visa waiver being refused:

  • The applicant’s passport is not valid
  • The passport used on the ETIAS application was reported lost or stolen
  • The applicant’s name appears on the ETIAS Watchlist

The information that an applicant provides on the ETIAS registration form should be truthful, verifiable and up to date. Europe’s security systems will discover if travellers have lied on their application.

ETIAS Revoked

It is also possible that a traveller’s application is approved, and later revoked. This could occur if:

  • ETIAS was obtained in a fraudulent way such as giving false personal details or omitting criminal or medical background details.
  • If the traveller’s details no longer adhere to their current status. For instance, if there has been a change of residency and has not been updated or notified
  • If it is discovered that the citizen previously overstayed the allotted time by a Schengen member state
  • The visitor’s passport is reported lost or stolen

What to do if ETIAS is denied

If an ETIAS online application is denied, the applicant will have the right to appeal.

Appeals will be made to the individual Schengen member state that was indicated as the first port of entry, and the decision will be made in accordance with the laws of that country.

In these cases, applicants will be kept informed about the appeal process. If the appeal is not successful and the applicant believes their treatment has not been fair, they will have the right to request information from the national authority regarding the reasons for their visa denial and seek an amendment.



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