It’s a great benefit for travelers to enter countries in the European Union or in the Schengen Area. Visa-free entry is automatic for countries in this region. But there are 62 countries that are not part of the Schengen region or the EU and still they enjoy exemptions on the visa requirements of Schengen member states.
However, citizens from these 62 countries need to meet some conditions if they want to enter the region without the use of a visa. They need to limit the length of their visit to the Schengen Area to 90 days at most, the 90 days being counted within a period of 180 consecutive days. And the allowed reasons for visit are tourism, medical, business, and transit purposes. Any other reasons for visiting other than these four, including study or work, will need a visa.
A Health Declaration Form may still be needed by citizens of these 62 countries, even if they are allowed to enter without a visa. For this reason, they have to take everything with them, including their travel documents, so as not to waste any time or money requesting the paperwork at the airport.
Improvement on border and security management is one of the main concerns of the Schengen member states. This is what resulted in the creation of the France ETIAS, the main objective of which is to make the travelers feel that they are safe within the Schengen borders, allowing them to enjoy their visit more. This function is very similar to how the US ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorization works.
In this article, we will talk about the role that ETIAS will have as well as some other information so we invite you to continue reading this blog.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do I need to know about ETIAS?
There are a lot of databases with information on travelers, even from the 62 countries, and the France ETIAS will be able to access them. The system can retrieve all the available information on a traveler, analyze the data, and cross-check them to the details on the application form. This is the basis for the security check that the system will implement on every application. There should be no incorrect details on the form, because the system’s versatility will allow it to detect the inconsistencies and reject the application then and there and the traveler will not be able to enter the host country.
When it becomes active, it is expected that the ETIAS will be one of the most used systems by the Schengen member states for security and border management. All the members have stated that they want a system that can help them tackle issues like illegal migrants and security threats. This will all fall to the ETIAS once it becomes operational in 2022 with the expected result of a safer and more fun visit for travelers.
How do I apply for the ETIAS authorization?
- First, you have to fill out the application form. This should be completed without entering any inaccurate or incorrect data. It seems simple enough. You will key in your biometric information such as full name, last name at your birth (if you changed your name at some time in your life), place of birth, and date of birth.
You will also need to input information like your address and citizenship details. The form will also ask you to enter your contact details, as well as work experience and education. It will also require you to input security and background information like the places you were deported from, places at war that you have traveled to, criminal records, medical condition, and the Schengen country that’s the first you are going to visit.
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Second, you have to verify if the information you keyed in is all correct. The application might be rejected if it contains erroneous information.
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Third, you need to wait for the result, which will be released within minutes of finishing the France ETIAS application. If the evaluation suggests that you are not a threat to security, and the information on the form is all correct, the system will authorize your entry. If one of the conditions is not met, the application will be denied and the traveler will not have the authorization to enter the host country.
How long is the authorization’s validity period?
The evaluation made by the ETIAS will decide the validity period of the authorization. It can be valid as long as the document used in the application is valid. The ETIAS can also have a validity of up to 3 years from the time of release.
What can I do if my application was rejected?
Waiting for the result of the application takes only a few minutes after the application has been submitted. If it is a denial, the system will send a notification of the result and the reason for rejecting it. Now you have two options. One is to try and make an appeal on the decision. The other is to make another application and modify it according to the reason stated for denying the previous one.
What other documents are needed to start the application?
You don’t need another document. Just your valid passport is enough to start the application. Still, there might be additional details that the passport needs to have.
1.The part of the passport that a machine can read. This is located on the photo page of the passport, just below the actual photo. It has two lines with symbols, letters, and numbers.
2.A clear photo of the applicant taken by a digital camera. This should not be connected to the passport.
3.There is an electronic chip that is located at the bottom of the passport’s cover page. It’s optional to have this but it could be an advantage.
I have a Schengen visa. Can I apply for the ETIAS?
The France ETIAS is only for travelers coming from the 62 countries outside the EU and Schengen regions that still have visa-free privileges in the Schengen Area. If you have a Schengen visa, you are not from any of these 62 nations and you are not eligible for an ETIAS. You can check back when your visa expires and see if your country is visa-exempt.
How is the iVisa.com website security?
The website has not had any security breaches in its years of existence. What this means is that the website is very secure and no information can be accessed by hackers and identity thieves.
Where do I go for extra information?
Head out to the iVisa.com website for more information about the ETIAS. For other concerns or questions, you can email us at [email protected].