In 2018, the European Parliament agreed to the establishment of
the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
This electronic visa system will carry out pre-screening for both
security and migration risks for travelers who currently benefit
from visa-free access to the Schengen area. Originally meant to go
into effect in 2021, the ETIAS program was delayed due to the
COVID-19 pandemic and is now set to be fully operational by the end
of 2022.
Travelers from the 60 eligible, currently visa-free countries*
will be required to present an ETIAS visa waiver in order to enter
one of the ETIAS countries once the program is in force at the end
of this year. An ETIAS visa waiver must be applied for prior to
travel; once granted, it is valid for up to three consecutive years
– or up to the expiration of the applicant's current
passport. The ETIAS application requires travelers to hold a valid
biometric passport and submit an application providing
