A country enjoying visa-free privileges to Schengen Area member countries or European Union nations has it easy, since it could be difficult to enter this region. Besides them, there are 62 countries that are not members of the EU and the Schengen Area that also have visa-exempt benefits for entering Schengen nations.
Still, citizens of these countries need to fulfill some conditions so they can enter the host country without the need for a visa. The length of stay in every period of 180 days should not go above 90 days in total. They also should state that their reason for visiting is one of the following: transit, business, medical, or tourism. Any other purpose, such as studying or working, will require a visa for entry.
Citizens of the 62 countries may be required to show a Health Declaration Form, although their entry does not need a visa. They have to make sure that they have everything for their trip, including their travel documents, so they can avoid wasting money and other resources.
The Schengen Area countries are looking to improve on their current system for border and entrant management, which resulted in the France ETIAS. The goal of the ETIAS is to let travelers have a fun experience while they are visiting the region, and keeping them safe at the same time. In this fashion, the ETIAS shares a lot of functions and features with the United States Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA.
We will discuss information about the ETIAS that is available now so continue reading.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can you give me basic information about the ETIAS?
The France ETIAS will be able to have instant access to a lot of records containing information about any traveler, including citizens from the 62 countries. The system will collect all available information on a traveler from different databases, and will analyze and verify the details. This will be the basis for the evaluation the system will perform on applications. The applicant should be aware of the need to put in the correct information on the application. If not, the system will most likely deny the application and will deny entry to the traveler.
Once active, the ETIAS will surely be one of the most important tools for border and security management for all Schengen member states. Countries in the region expressed their desire to have a system that can deal with illegal migrant and security issues, tasks which will fall to the ETIAS. They want travelers to feel safe within the host country and have fun while visiting tourist spots.
What do I need to do to complete the ETIAS application?
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Step 1: You need to fill out the application form first. Complete the form without entering incorrect information. The form needs your biometric information like your first and last name, date of birth, place of birth, as well as your last name at birth if you needed to change your legal name for whatever reason.
You also have to enter some of the details found in your passport like citizenship, and address. It also requires your contact details, education, and work experience. The system will also ask for important information such as places where you were deported from, criminal records, medical conditions, as well as the the first Schengen country in your itinerary.
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Step 2: Check the information on your application form. Make sure that all the information that you gave is accurate. The ETIAS will reject your application if it contains incorrect details.
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Step 3: Check the result. It should be available within minutes. If the evaluation determines that the applicant is not a security risk and the information on the application is correct, the system will approve the application. If not, then it will be denied.
Will the authorization be valid for at least a year?
There is no way of knowing prior to the application. The duration of the authorization is based on the evaluation made by the system. The ETIAS could last up to 3 years, or it could only be valid until the expiration date of the document used in the application.
My application was denied. What are my options?
Once you have finished entering the information for the application, you only need to wait for a few minutes for the result. If the system denies the application, the system will notify you of the decision and tell you why it has been rejected. You can then try to appeal the decision, or you can tweak your next application based on the reason for denial.
Will I need special documents for the application?
No. The only thing you need to apply for the ETIAS is a valid passport. However, there are some details that the passport may need to have.
1.A clear digital photo of the applicant which is not attached to the passport.
2.A machine-readable passport. This one can be found below the photo on the passport. It contains two lines with numbers, letters, and symbols.
3.An electronic chip found in many passports. Not all passports have this feature and it’s only optional, but it may give an advantage. It is located at the bottom of the passport on the cover page.
How can the ETIAS verify the information on my application?
The France ETIAS will be connected to a lot of databases that contain information on travelers. Using its access to the databases, it will cross-reference your data against the available information and will complete the evaluation in minutes.
You must make sure that the information you gave is correct, since the system may deny your application if there are incorrect details. Furthermore, your authorization will be canceled if the system finds out that you have falsified information after you have received the authorization.
Do I need to apply for the ETIAS if I already have a Schengen visa?
No. The ETIAS will be used to evaluate citizens coming from the 62 countries outside the EU and Schengen Area with visa-exempt benefits. If you have a Schengen visa, it means you are not from any of the 62 countries and will not be eligible to apply. However, you can check back after your visa expires and see if you are eligible.
Should you be wary of the iVisa.com service?
In all the years of its service to travelers, the website hasn’t experienced a breach, not even once. This means that all the information entered by our customers is secure and inaccessible to unauthorized persons.
Is there a place where I can get information?
The iVisa.com website is the best place to get information about the ETIAS. You can also drop us an email at [email protected].