Thursday, August 22, 2024 Prepare to adjust your travel budget for Europe! Starting mid-2025, non-EU citizens aged 18 to 70 will be required to pay a €7 fee (approximately USD$9.00 or S$12.00) to obtain a travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver.
This new requirement will apply to travelers visiting or transiting through EU countries such as France, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. The European Travel Information and Authorization System visa waiver is not a visa, but a travel authorization system designed to enhance security and streamline entry processes into the EU for non-EU citizens staying for up to 90 days. Visitors from 60 countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore, will need to apply for ETIAS at least 96 hours before their trip.
While applying for European Travel Information and Authorization System might initially seem complex, the process is quite straightforward. Applicants need to pay the €7 fee, and once approved, the waiver is valid for three years or until the passport expires. This authorization allows travelers to stay in Europe for up to 90 days, whether for leisure, business, or study.
However, those planning to stay longer than 90 days will need to apply for a traditional visa. The European Travel Information and Authorization System system was developed to bolster security across the EU by tightening the vetting process for non-EU trav.