US citizens traveling to Europe will have to pay for VISAS from 2024
- The new measure was announced by the European Union Monday, with the system called the European Travel Information and Authorization System
- Once authorization is secured, the visa is valid for up to three years or until the person’s passport expires
US citizens traveling to Europe will have to pay $8 each for visas from next year – including those just heading off on a short vacation.
The new measure was announced by the European Union on Monday, with the system called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Travelers wanting to visit one of 30 EU nations must submit their passport information, as well as details on their job, travel itinerary, and past criminal convictions.
The new rules will not apply to the UK, because they are no longer part of the European Union after voting to leave in 2016.
Americans can also continue to visit Ireland without needing authorization, since the country is not on the list.
But those people wanting to spend their summers swanning around in the Spanish sunshine or visiting museums in Greece will now have to get authorization before jetting off on holiday.
US citizens traveling to Europe will have to pay $8 each for visas from next year – including those just heading off on vacation. Processing should only take a matter of minutes, but EU officials have advised Americans to apply up to 30 days before their trip in case of any issues
People wanting to spend their summers swanning around in the Spanish sunshine or visiting museums in Greece will now have to get authorization before jetting off on holiday
Processing should only take a matter of minutes, but EU officials have advised Americans to apply up to 30 days before their trip in case of any issues.
The system is similar to the ESTA visa waiver system currently in place for travelers visiting the United States.
Once authorization is secured, the visa is valid for up to three years or until the person’s passport expires.
The visa is for short-term stays. A valid ETIAS travel authorization entitles you to stay in the European countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
And the ETIAS travel authorization, once approved, will be automatically linked to your passport.
Travelers must make sure to carry the same document which they used in their ETIAS application.
The European Union ETIAS website page reads: ‘ETIAS travel authorization is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries.
‘It is linked to a traveler’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
‘If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorization.
‘With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays – normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
‘However, it does not guarantee entry.
‘When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.’
The cost is 7 euros – roughly equivalent to $8. Applicants who are under 18 or above 70 years of age are exempt from this payment.
US citizens visiting the financial capitals in Germany and Switzerland will also need validation.
