Americans have enjoyed visa-free travel to Europe and will still continue to enjoy visa-free travel but with an authorisation from the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) by 2021.According to the delegation of the European Union to the U.S., the measure is not a Europe visa, but an authorization that “will enable us to get more comprehensive information from travelers coming from visa-exempt, third-country [nations] – which includes Nigeria, arriving at the Schengen external borders.”
While ETIAS will be a new, extra step for American travelers, the inconvenience seems like it will be somewhat minimal. The authorization will be valid for three years, meaning travelers don’t have to reapply every time they travel. Throguhout the three-year validity period, you can travel to any of the Schengen countries which apply to your visa.The ETIAS visa for Americans is a multiple-entry visa with few restrictions in order to promote tourism while maintaining a high level of international security.”
One important requirement: When applying, your passport “must be valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay.” Passports over 10 years old may not be accepted as a valid travel document. In addition to a valid passport, ETIAS requires a credit or debit card (to pay a fee of about $8) and a valid email address. Enrollment is online, and travelers will receive confirmation via email. Currently, there is no indication of how long it will take to get an ETIAS. Presumably it will be good practice to apply at least four to six weeks in advance of needing it. The requirements don’t address any change in the current rule that requires individual visits to be under 90 days without a separate visa.
Notably, the U.K. and Ireland will not be part of ETIAS, though in the case of Ireland, an ETIAS servicer notes “it is very probable that in the near future that will change and they will require an ETIAS visa waiver to cross Ireland’s border.” Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus each have somewhat unique situations, which are detailed here.
If the application is not flagged to be looked over manually, a decision will be reached by the system “within minutes,” the site says. If an application is denied, the applicant will receive a reason as to why.
