The European Union has officially adopted a visa-waiver system, similar to the US model, which will apply to nationals of 60 countries including Australia and New Zealand.
Called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), it will cost EUR 7 (AUD 11) and will cover travel in the Schengen area, the zone of European countries which have agreed to abolish their internal borders “for the free and unrestricted movement of people, goods, services, and capital”.
The pre-authorisation system will allows the EU to know who is entering the EU, from where and if they pose a risk to EU security.
When ETIAS comes into operation, all visa-exempt third-country nationals who plan to travel to the Schengen area will have to apply for pre-travel authorisation. The aim of this is to ease travel to the EU and simplify border checks.
Schengen Countries
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a body which represents the travel and tourism private sector globally, congratulated the EU for adopting the new measure last week. During negotiations, the WTTC stressed the importance of making the ETIAS process as easy as possible for legitimate travellers.
In addition to the ease of process, WTTC also advocated for the fees to remain at a reasonable level, one that did not discourage travellers from coming to Europe. The final fee of EUR 7 meets this balance. The fee was originally proposed to be EUR 10.
“We see this as an important first step in the digitalisation of travel,” stated Gloria Guevara, president and chief executive of World Travel & Tourism Council.
“The ultimate aim will be the use of biometric technology to ensure seamless, more efficient and more secure travel. WTTC is committed to enhancing security and improving the entire passenger journey.
“This will essentially maximise the potential of the Travel & Tourism to create jobs and drive economic growth,.”
ETIAS will be free for under 18s and over 70s.
Applying for ETIAS aims to be quick and simple, requiring no more than a travel document, credit card and access to internet. A vast majority of applicants will receive a positive reply within minutes. If additional information, documentation or an interview would be needed, different possibilities will be offered taking into account the situation of the traveller.
ETIAS requires that “before boarding, air carriers, sea carriers and international carriers transporting groups overland by coach will need to check whether third country nationals subject to the travel authorisation requirement are in possession of a valid travel authorisation.
“The travel authorisation will not provide an automatic right of entry or stay; it is the border guard who will take the final decision.
“A travel authorisation will be valid for three years or until the end of validity of the travel document registered during application, whichever comes first.”
Australia and New Zealand are among a raft of 60 countries whose nationals will need to apply for an ETIAS prior to entering the Schengen Area.
The new system was adopted last Thursday, 5 July 2018 at the European Parliament Plenary in Strasbourg and is expected to come into operation in 2021.
Written by Peter Needham
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