Eko Hot Blog reports that starting from 2024, the European Union will require visitors, including United States (US) citizens, to get pre-approval via the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
However, Nigerian passport holders and other nationals from visa-required countries do not need the approval. Instead, they will continue to need a visa.
Before securing tickets, lodging, or a reservation, vacationers from the US, United Kingdom (UK), Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bahamas, Canada, amongst others, will need to submit an ETIAS application for approximately $8.
The EU maintains that the approval is not a visa requirement.
Applicants will need to provide travel documentation, such as a passport, as well as personal information, education level, current occupation, anticipated trip details, and any criminal convictions.
While most applications are processed within minutes, some take longer to yield a decision and the European Union advises visitors to apply “well in advance.”
A response is promised within four days but could be extended by 14 to 30 days depending on the circumstance.
Once the authorisation is secured, however, it is valid for up to three years or until the visitor’s passport expires.
“With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays — normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period,” the EU’s website reads.
“However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.”
The travel authorization is only necessary to enter 30 European countries, including Spain, Germany, France, and Greece — sorry, “Mama Mia!” fans.
While the requirement was announced as going into effect in January 2024, experts doubt it will actually be implemented then, having already hit multiple delays.
CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg said that “there is nothing to stop” the US from implementing its own visa charge and application process.
“It won’t be complicated, it’s just an annoyance,” he said, per CBS News. “Most Americans, in fact, all Americans, are not used to doing this to go to Europe so there’s going to be lots of surprises at boarding gates with people being denied boarding over the first couple of weeks if this goes into effect.”
As a general rule, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you meet all the following criteria:
- You are not an EU national;
- You are a citizen of a country whose nationals are not required to have a visa for short-term stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS;
- You do not have a residence permit/card/document issued by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS
Some travellers may be exempted from the requirement to have an ETIAS travel authorisation.
Some visa-required travellers, including Nigerians passport holders, may also apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation.
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