Canadians need to apply for and pay the new fee to travel Europe.
Are you planning a luxurious trip to Europe in 2023 for a special occasion?
Canadians should know about the European Travel Information and Authorization System.
In November 2023, Canadians will have to apply to ETIAS to visit countries in the European Union which are part of the Schengen Area. Currently there are 27 statesWhere there’s no border control, it allows for easy travel between them.
The application also comes with a processing fee of €7.
This applies to Canadians as well, since we, along with about 60 other nationalities enjoy visa-free access for the Schengen Area countries in the European Union.
ETIAS is a pre-travel screening that denies those who pose a threat to security or are at risk from irregular migration or public safety. It is designed to collect the most important information about a traveller and their passport details.
“Border security means that information and intelligence exchange must be prioritized,” said former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in 2016, after the program was initially announced. “We need to know who is crossing our borders.”
How does the ETIAS approval process operate?
The decision for approval lies with the EU Member State where you’ll initially be arriving. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex states that the application shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. However, automatic approval should be granted within a few minutes in 95 percent of cases.
Within 96 hours, a traveller should receive the final response or a request to obtain additional documentation.
If you choose not to pay the €7 fee, a process that’s carried out online through a valid credit or debit card, your application will be rejected. You also won’t be reimbursed if your application is denied.
It is a good idea to apply 72 hours before your trip. To apply, you will need to have a valid passport, an email address, and one of these forms of payment.
Initially supposed to be rolled out in 2021, the process provides an extra step, reinforcing the importance for Canadians to always be mindful of requirements needed for countries you’re travelling to.
Who is exempt from ETIAS
ETIAS approval is valid for three years. The additional fee and step are not required for those aged under 18 and over 70.
Canada offers a similar process for visa-free entry. It is called the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)It also requires a $7 fee.
Currently, as Canadians when travelling to countries of the European Union that belong to the Schengen Area, we’re allowed to stay for up to three months for tourism, business or transit purposes. We’re not permitted to work to study, and that will continue with ETIAS’ launch in November 2023.