If you haven’t heard, United States Citizens will soon need a Visa to visit European nations. Yep, gone are the days of buying your ticket and heading out worry free on your dream vacation. However, while it’s been pretty easy to travel to Europe, don’t worry, there are ways to make this new process simple. Enter ETIAS!
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is European Travel Information and Authorization System that provides a visa waiver for US Citizens traveling to Europe. While we didn’t have to worry about applying for a visa in the past when staying under 90 days, here is what you have to know about how to obtain one when the regulations change in 2021.
How to Apply for ETIAS
The main ETIAS requirements for U.S. citizens to apply for the visa waiver are that they will need to have a valid passport, a credit or debit card, as well as an email account. Each applicant must have on hand when applying. Without the right travel document, applicants could have their application denied.
When applying for an ETIAS, applicants must ensure that the passport used must be valid for 3 months beyond the period of intended stay in any European nation, and it is likely that passports over 10 years old may not be accepted as a valid travel document.
During the 3-year validity of the ETIAS for U.S. travelers, it is possible to enter any of the Schengen Zone European countries which apply to the travel authorization as many times as necessary. The ETIAS visa waiver for Americans is a multiple-entry travel authorization with few restrictions in order to promote tourism while maintaining a high level of international security.
The ETIAS visa waiver for Europe must be paid in advance through secure online payment via credit or debit card when applying with the traveler’s contact information and passport details. These details include the physical address of permanent residency, a phone number, and contact email address which will be necessary to receive the ETIAS confirmation email.
The enrollment will be a quick and simple process as applicants will need to fill out an online form with their contact details and passport information, as well as answer some basic security questions.
This process allows European immigration and customs authorities to pre-screen all travelers and confirm their status before permitting them entry or even to board a flight, thus improving security measures throughout the Schengen Area.
The ETIAS payment is also super quick and easy to do with a credit or debit card via the secure online payment platform.
Once the travel authorization for Europe has been paid, the process is complete and the applicant will need to wait to receive the confirmation for the ETIAS visa waiver via email. With an approved ETIAS visa waiver, applicants will be ready to travel to Europe!
If the payment was unsuccessful or declined, the ETIAS application will be put on hold. All applicants are advised to make sure they have sufficient financial funds/their payment card has not been blocked/there are no internet connection problems preventing the completion of the online transaction.
It is a fast easy application to apply for the ETIAS with high quality customer support. Live chat support will be offered as well as quick turnaround time on applications and all questions regarding the ETIAS can be find on the site or through the live chat.
Beginning in 2021, ETIAS will be a legal obligation for all U.S. citizens traveling to Europe for short-stay visits so it is essential to be prepared! Bookmark this link and have it handy and you can also be put on a reminder list via email once the ETIAS application becomes available so that you can apply on time for the regulation change so as to not interrupt your trip. Remember, it’s valid for 3 years. It’s always best to plan ahead!
