Is ETIAS a visa? What Travelers Need to Know

If you are planning a trip to Europe and have been doing some research, you may have seen an article (or 50) about ETIAS.

ETIAS is going to change how millions of travelers prepare for their trips to Europe, so it's easy to see why it's such a popular topic.

While similar policies exist in the world (the US has ESTA, for example), this may be the first time many travelers encounter pre-travel authorizations.

In this guide, we're going to take a look at ETIAS and Schengen visas so you can understand the difference between the two and which one you will need to apply for.

Is ETIAS a visa?

No, though the confusion is understandable.

ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization, which is very different from a visa.

A visa allows specific travelers to go to specific countries. So does ETIAS... so what's the difference? A few things.

Applying for a Schengen visa/visa for Europe is a lengthy process that involves multiple steps, like collecting several documents and attending mandatory in-person appointments.

Whether or not a visa gets approved or denied is case-by-case and never guaranteed. Many visa applications do not get approved, and they can be rejected for any reason.

ETIAS, on the other hand, is a quick, fully digital process that is mostly automated. Instead of putting together a comprehensive application file and attending an in-person appointment, travelers apply for pre-travel authorization online and it only takes a few minutes. While approval isn't 100% guaranteed either, the European Union states that most applicants will be approved within minutes.

How does ETIAS work?

Applying for ETIAS allows travelers to be pre-screened before they travel to Europe, which helps to keep European countries safe.

This pre-screening is a highly secure, automated process.

By answering a few questions online and paying a reasonable application fee, the ETIAS platform will be able to screen applicants to ensure there are no security concerns.

This screening typically takes a couple of minutes, and once approved, you'll receive an email letting you know that you're good to go. Then, that's it. You don't need to print anything out or have anything mailed to you. Your screening is complete, and ETIAS approval will be automatically linked to your passport (digitally).

What is a Schengen visa?

First, it's helpful to know that with the introduction of ETIAS, the Schengen visa isn’t changing.

A Schengen visa is a type of visa that allows travelers to enter and travel within the Schengen area, which comprises 29 European countries.

Many travelers require a Schengen visa to go to Europe, such as Indian and Chinese citizens. India, China, and several other countries do not have visa-waiver agreements with the Schengen area. Because of this, citizens of those countries cannot visit the area without obtaining a visa.

As mentioned above, the visa process is lengthier than applying for ETIAS, and cannot be done entirely online.

Additionally, travelers who needed Schengen visas in order to travel to European countries will still need Schengen visas. ETIAS does not and cannot replace a valid Schengen visa.

Travelers applying for Schengen visas do not need to obtain ETIAS. The ETIAS is only for citizens of countries with visa-waiver agreements.

Differences between ETIAS and Schengen visas

• ETIAS is not a visa. The Schengen visa is a visa.
• ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization that screens travelers for potential security threats.
• ETIAS is for citizens of countries with visa-waiver agreements. This includes the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and several others.
• Schengen visas are for travelers that are not visa-exempt. This includes travelers who hold South African, Chinese, Indian passports and more.
• Neither ETIAS nor a short-stay Schengen visa allows you to work while in the Schengen area.
• ETIAS approval is 100% online. The Schengen visa application process begins online, but an in-person appointment is required.
• ETIAS approval is typically granted in a couple of minutes. Schengen visa approval usually takes around 15 days.

Will ETIAS replace Schengen visas?

No, ETIAS will not replace Schengen visas. Instead, it will coexist with the Schengen visa system.

If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country (like the US), you will need to get an ETIAS to travel to the Schengen area. However, if you are from a non-visa-exempt country (such as India or China), you will still need to apply for a Schengen visa, not ETIAS.

If you have a valid Schengen visa, you will not need to apply for ETIAS. The ETIAS requirement applies solely to travelers from visa-exempt countries (such as the US and UK). Your Schengen visa remains valid for entry and travel within the Schengen area as long as it hasn't expired.

Do I need ETIAS or a Schengen visa?

It depends on your nationality.

If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you must apply for ETIAS. Visa-exempt countries include:

Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Macao, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Once ETIAS has been launched, if you are a citizen of an above country and do not hold a valid European visa, you will need to apply for ETIAS.

If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you must apply for a Schengen visa instead of ETIAS.

FAQS: ETIAS and Schengen visas