Today the ETIAS system becomes interoperable so that it can be linked to the other EU information systems. This is an important step towards the introduction and entry into force of ETIAS, end of 2022.
As soon ETIAS has been introduced, non-EU citizens who wish to travel to the Schengen area and who are exempt from the visa requirement must first register and apply for a travel authorization before travelling. The system checks whether travelers pose a safety risk to the EU and EU citizens.
ETIAS is an automated IT system for identifying security or illegal migration risks posed by visa-exempt travelers traveling to the Schengen area, while respecting fundamental rights and data protection.
“The rules that come into force today describe how ETIAS will work with other EU information systems that it will query when conducting checks, including the Entry/Exit System, Visa Information System, Schengen Information System and Centralized System for Identification of Persons” , says the Commission.
Setting up ETIAS is part of the EU's project to establish an advanced external border management system and ensure that information systems work together in an intelligent and targeted manner.
“ETIAS does not imply any changes to the visa requirements of non-EU countries, nor is it a new visa requirement for nationals of visa-exempt countries,” the Commission clarifies.
Visa-free travellers those wanting to go to the EU only need a few minutes to complete an online application, which will result in automatic approval in the vast majority of cases (expected to exceed 95 percent).
The process will be simple, fast and affordable: the ETIAS authorization costs €7, a one-off fee, and is valid for 3 years and for multiple trips.
Source: European Commission – 4 August 2021
Related Articles:
