Introduction to EU Postpones New Requirements For American Travelers To 2025
American perceptions of upcoming travel to European nations shifted as conditions were revealed for holders of U.S. passports starting in 2024.
Nevertheless, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will not be available until the spring of 2025, according to EU authorities.
As previously reported, an EU official confirmed that ETIAS won’t launch until May 2025 “due to continued delays with the introduction of the related Entry-Exit System (EES), which needs to be operational before ETIAS can be implemented.” SchengenVisaInfo.com is a website devoted to the world’s largest visa-free zone, known as the Schengen Area, where 27 European countries have eliminated their internal borders.
ETIAS won’t start until 2025
Once it is operational, visitors from the UAE, UK, USA, Australia, and Canada will have to apply for an ETIAS travel permit in order to enter approximately thirty European nations, such as France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
For all nations not requiring a visa to enter the region, it will be necessary.
Despite not being a visa, the ETIAS permit is associated with a traveler’s passport. Although a digital record will be kept, no actual stamp or sticker will be provided.
According to the SchengenVisaInfo.com article, the deadline for completing the ETIAS has been rescheduled for May 2025.
“We had initially hoped for the EES to become operational by the end of this year or, at the latest, the beginning of the next year,” an unidentified EU official stated.
“It is now clear that this schedule is not achievable due to unanticipated delays. Because of this, the ETIAS’s implementation has been postponed till May 2025, with potential future delays.
The EU is planning an IT programme for border security called the EES (Entry/Exit System).
Without an operational EES, the introduction of ETIAS will not be feasible, hence the implementation of visa-style travel regulations cannot happen until May 2025 at the latest.
Authorities from Switzerland and France have confirmed the postponement.
An ETIAS travel permit is valid for three years after it is issued; however, if a passport is lost, stolen, or replaces, a new one will be needed. The permit is a “pre-travel authorisation system,” not a visa, according to the European Union.
The ETIAS travel permit is valid for up to 90 days of stays and multiple entries. It is not necessary to obtain a permit through the European Travel Information and Authorization System for visitors who currently hold a Schengen visa.
How Will the Submission of the Application Be Confirmed?
An email confirming the submission of the application will be sent, along with a unique number for future use.
After receiving an ETIAS travel permission, travellers should confirm their name, passport number, and other details again because any mistakes will bar them from entering the country.
An email explaining the reasons for the decision and providing information on how to appeal will be provided if an application is rejected.
This blog is contributed by Ankit Raj Sharma and edited by Imtiaz Ullah