How To Apply for ETIAS

The ETIAS Application Process

Applying for your new ETIAS travel authorization to be electronically attached to your passport is a fairly straightforward process.

With the business and tourist traveler in mind, the online ETIAS Visa application is easy to complete. Requiring only minutes of your time, in most cases, your ETIAS will be added to your passport within minutes.

If the system requires further information from you – this will be relayed to you speedily ensuring a smooth, organized travel system for all travelers to and from participating countries.

The ETIAS Visa application process can only be conducted online; there are no phone applications or postal applications allowed. Whilst this may seem difficult to some individuals, the system has been set up with a view to simplifying travel documentation in our largely digital world.

If you do not have access to the internet at your home address, you can gain access via a friend or relative’s connection. You will need to allow about twenty minutes of uninterrupted connection to fill in the online ETIAS application form.

Confirmation of your ETIAS application and any further information will be sent to you in an email so please ensure that you have a working email address before you start.

ETIAS application is a straightforward and fast process. To further simplify your application, there are vital documents that you need to provide. See list of documents below for proper guidance:

• Passport
• Travel Information
• Payment Information
• Personal Information

Your Passport

Must be a current, valid, machine-readable passport, that will continue to be valid during your trip to Europe. There may be instances where you will need an electronic passport.

If you are applying for a minor’s ETIAS, you will need their passport, for their separate application.

Travel Information

Your country of entry must be listed and cannot be changed. If there are any irregularities with your ETIAS application, it is this country’s border control that will be authorized to investigate and take appropriate action.

Once you have entered the E.U., you will be free to travel within the participating countries for 90 days.

Payment Method

Online payment will be taken prior to attachment of the ETIAS to your passport. There will be a nominal fee for travelers over the age of eighteen years. Travelers under the age of eighteen years will not have to pay the fee.

Please ensure you are using a payment method accepted by ETIAS. If there are insufficient funds in your account, for whatever reason, your application will be put on hold or declined.

Once your ETIAS application has been completed, you cannot subsequently cancel the payment as your ETIAS will then be revoked, and you will be denied entry at the start of your trip.

Personal Information

• Full Name
• Nationality
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Passport Information
• Parental Information
• Current address
• Phone number
• Payment Information

Further Personal Information to be Disclosed

• Education history
• Employment history
• Criminal history
• Medical History, including exposures to certain illnesses and parasites
• Drug Use
• Previous travel information
• Security information

The ETIAS Visa Application Process

Once submitted, all ETIAS Visa applications will be subject to intense scrutiny by a new automated processing system. The screening process allows all member countries to have instant access to various databases and screening procedures.

Under normal circumstances, most travelers will be issued an ETIAS very quickly, typically within minutes.

The following six main bodies will be involved in the screening process.

These processes are set up to ensure the safety and security of all travelers crossing E.U. borders.

ETIAS Central Unit

• Responsible for the data collected.
• Management and evaluation of all data.
• Regular checks on the management of applications.
• Implementation of screening rules to uphold personal rights to privacy and data protection.

ETIAS National Units

• Assessing travel authorization applications
• Decision maker on applications received through Central Unit
• Issue informed opinions to other member states

Europol

• Establish and manage ETIAS watch list
• Consultant for ETIAS National Units

eu-LISA

• Charged with developing ETIAS information system.
• ETIAS information system operator

ETIAS Screening Board

• Consultant for definition of risk indicators
• Consultant for evaluation of risk indicators
• Consultant for revision of risk indicators
• Consultant on the implementation of ETIAS watch list

European Border and Coast Guard Agency

• Set up and operate ETIAS Central Units
• Set up the automated process of applications
• Set up the automated process screening rules

Each member state will benefit from the combined data sharing enabled by this new initiative.

If the applicant is refused ETIAS travel authorization, they will receive an email informing them of the decision and which of the above six groups denied the authorization. The geographical location of the group will be disclosed, as well as the date the decision was made.
The applicant has the right to appeal the decision.

Once you have completed the online ETIAS application, the automated system should enable a decision to be made within minutes.

The automated processing will flag any discrepancies in submitted information and stored information, criminal proceedings and other data facts that require further investigation.

All ETIAS applications that have been flagged by the automated procedure will be passed on to the ETIAS Central Unit for further investigation who may contact the applicant for further information.

The traveler will then have 96 hours in which to provide the necessary details. The ETIAS Central Unit will then have four weeks to make their final decision, appeals against decisions will be dealt with in a reasonable time frame.

For reference, here’s an infographic to help you understand the ETIAS application process for eligible travelers.