BRUSSELS – The European Union has clarified the documents needed for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) once it becomes effective next year.
In a press release, the body said health information or biometrics are not needed in order to obtain this authorization.
It said the ETIAS application form will ask travellers to provide personal information, such as name, address, passport details and current occupation besides questions about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions.
‘Additionally, travellers will be required to indicate their travel plans in Europe,’ the statement continued.
The European Union clarified that those travellers who declare to have a family member who is a citizen of a European country requiring ETIAS will also be asked to provide further details about their family ties.
‘In case a third person will submit the application on your behalf, they will also have to provide their name, contact details, as well as information about their relationship to you,’ it said.
As far as the procedure is concerned, the union said visitors will be able to apply for ETIAS using the official ETIAS website or via the ETIAS mobile app which is not yet available. It was also confirmed that visitors will have to pay EUR 7 to apply unless they fall under one of the exemptions.
As part of the process, once the application has been submitted, it will be automatically cross-checked against the data stored in other European databases, such as the Schengen Information System (SIS), Visa Information System (VIS), and Entry/Exit System (EES).
It has also been assured that the automatic processing should not take more than a few minutes and the applicants will get the reply by email.
‘In the rare case that further information is needed to decide on the application, it can take up to 30 days to receive the reply. Thus, people should apply sufficiently in advance,’ said EU.
From next year, citizens of the 27 European Union Member States who are planning to travel to the United Kingdom will need to apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA).
