Planning a holiday is more stressful than ever, amid strikes, changing Covid-19 rules and flight cancellations However, it may well become even more complicated next year for UK travellers looking to visit an EU country.
From next May, passengers from the UK may be subject to extra controls at border security like facial and fingerprint biometric scanning and tourists will most likely need to apply for travel authorisation ETIAS in advance. This is a completely electronic system that allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone, according to Schengenvisainfo.com.
It involves a detailed security check of each applicant to determine whether they can be allowed to enter any Schengen Zone country. While citizens of countries who do not need a visa for travel purposes of up to 90 days in the EU do not need to go through a long process, the ETIAS will make sure that these people are not a security threat.
This travel authorisation system will gather, keep track of, and update necessary information regarding visitors to determine whether it is safe for them to enter Schengen countries. Officials claim it will also make travel less hassle and reduce border queues.
Jacob Wedderburn-Day at travel company Stasher, has issued a series of guidelines about the forthcoming changes and how they will impact travel plans.
Before a trip
Applying to travel to Europe: ETIAS is a travel authorisation for short-term stays in Europe. Travellers can complete an application form on the Etias website. The application is designed to be quick and should take about 10 minutes to complete.
Details needed to obtain travel authorisation: The only official document needed is a biometric passport. Passengers will need to check their passport is valid for at least six more months at the time of travel.
When should I apply for an Etias visa? It is estimated that most applications will be approved in minutes. However, on the rare occasion that details raise a red flag, the application will be reviewed by the Etias central and national units before a decision is reached. If denied a travel permit, this can be appealed which may delay your travel plans.
How long will the Etias be valid? The Etias travel authorisation will be valid for three years without the need to reapply.
Who is Etias-exempt? Citizens who possess an EU passport will be allowed to enter Europe freely without Etias travel authorisation. Those who already have a residence permit from an EU state will not need to obtain an Etias.
At the border:
How does facial biometric scanning work? The new Entry/Exit System will be introduced at Schengen country borders next year, Each time the visitor crosses a border in one of these countries, the system will register name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit. This will replace the stamp on a passport.
The new Entry/Exit System is more advanced than standard checks and stamps and aims to prevent or detect criminal activities.
Will these extra checks cause long queues? UK politicians have raised concerns this new system will cause sustained disruption and delays – on top of recent airport chaos. There is also a worry that large numbers of passengers or technical system glitches could create longer delays.
What if I am travelling by car to Europe? It is expected that these delays will be significant for those travelling by car because it is impossible to carry out biometric checks while travellers are in their cars at ports. Passengers will have to step out of their cars to do facial recognition and fingerprint checks before returning to their vehicles.
During a trip
What activities will be prohibited under the new EU visa system? With an Etias authorisation, visitors are allowed to stay a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period. During this time, non-EU citizens won’t be allowed to take on paid work or study in Europe.
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