EU VAP vs ETIAS: Your Go-To Resource

When it comes to traveling to Europe, particularly to the Schengen area, understanding the various visa and authorization systems can be confusing.

Two terms you might come across are EU VAP (The European Union Visa Application Process) and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System).

These systems serve entirely different purposes, and knowing how they apply to your trip can save you time, stress, and unnecessary confusion.

In this guide, we will break down the key differences between the EU VAP and ETIAS, and explain whether you need one or both, or neither when traveling to Europe.

What is the EU VAP?

The EU Visa Application Platform (EU VAP) is a new digital system designed to simplify the application process for Schengen visa applications, making it both more accessible and secure for applicants around the world.

With this platform (which hasn’t been launched yet), travelers who need a Schengen visa can apply online, reducing the need for physical paperwork and multiple trips to embassies or consulates.

EU VAP is still being built and won’t be fully operational until the coming months/years.

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS, on the other hand, is a separate system designed for travelers from visa-exempt countries. ETIAS stands for: European Travel Information and Authorization System.

The Schengen area has visa-waiver agreements with a variety of countries around the globe, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and others. This agreement allows citizens of these countries to travel to the Schengen area (for any duration under 90 days) without needing to apply for a visa.

Instead of applying for a visa, citizens from visa-exempt countries must secure pre-travel authorization through ETIAS, from 2025 on.

What is the difference between EU VAP and ETIAS?

EU VAP is an online portal to apply for Schengen visas. ETIAS is an online platform to apply for travel authorization.

If you need a Schengen visa, you can use EU VAP (once the system has been launched).

If you don’t need a Schengen visa, you must use ETIAS (from 2025 on).

Key features of EU VAP

• Your visa will be in a digital format: Schengen visas will be issued digitally, featuring a 2D barcode that includes a cryptographically signed biometric image of the applicant.
• Applying for a Schengen visa will be on one platform: Applicants will be able to submit their forms, documents, and payments online via a unified, official EU website.
• Automated processing: The system will automatically route applications to the appropriate Schengen country for processing, eliminating confusion about which embassy or consulate is responsible.
• In-person requirement: Historically, all Schengen visas required an in-person submission of your application. With EU VAP, the only in-person requirement will be for the collection of biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph).

Key Features of ETIAS

• For travelers who do not need a Schengen visa: This includes citizens from countries like the US, Canada, and Australia who will need ETIAS approval starting in 2025.
• It’s required: ETIAS will be mandatory for visa-exempt travelers.
• Online process: The ETIAS application is fully digital and typically only takes a few minutes to complete.
• Cost and validity: It will cost €7 and be valid for up to three years or until the traveler’s passport expires – whichever comes first.

Is EU VAP required?

Individual Schengen countries will adopt EU VAP at their own pace during an allotted transition period, allowing for gradual implementation. This means that EU VAP will become the new method for Schengen visa applications as countries adopt EU VAP.

By 2030, all countries in the Schengen area are expected to have adopted EU VAP.

EU VAP is designed to make the visa application process easier, more efficient, and even more technologically secure.

Transition timeline for EU VAP: When will EU VAP start?

The shift to the EU VAP will take place over several years, with a full transition expected by 2030.

According to regulations published by EUR-Lex, the transition will occur in stages. Currently, they hope to have the platform accessible to most countries by 2028.

Individual Schengen countries can choose to adopt the system at their own pace during this period. Some countries may move to digital applications sooner than others, depending on their infrastructure and resources, which is why the system will take time to launch entirely.

When will ETIAS start?

ETIAS was originally set to begin in 2024, but due to delays, ETIAS is expected to launch (and thus be required) as of 2025.

Key takeaways

• EU VAP is a new digital visa application platform for travelers requiring a Schengen visa, set to launch in 2028, with a full transition by 2030.
• ETIAS is a separate system for visa-free travelers, set to become mandatory in 2025, providing pre-travel authorization for short-term stays in the Schengen area
• The transition to digital visas aims to improve security, reduce costs, and streamline the application process.