PSA: US nationals will need a travel authorization to visit Europe starting 2024

Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash

In the recent Henley Passport Index update, US passport holders came in 8th when it comes to passport ranking—that’s visa-free access to 184 destinations around the world.

But a new entry requirement from the European Union called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require visa-exempt nationals, including those from the United States and Canada, to apply for travel authorization well in advance of their arrival in any of the 30 European countries that obligate it.

The application costs 7 euros (around $8). You can complete it via the official ETIAS website or mobile application. This could, according to the website, take within minutes or as long as four days if additional information or documentation is needed “or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview.”

𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗦 stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System.🇪🇺

It is a completely electronic system that allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone✈️#etias #europe #eu #europeanunion #schengenvisainfo pic.twitter.com/rojarxIXRI

— SchengenVisaInfo (@schengen_info) July 18, 2023

Once approved, you will receive your ETIAS travel authorization via email. This will be valid for three years and entitles you to “stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period,” states the website, confirming that the length of the time US passport holders can stay in Europe remain unchanged. With a valid travel authorization, you can come and go to Europe as you please “as long as you respect this time limit.” But should you need to stay longer than 90 days, getting a visa is a requirement.

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Do take note, though, that the ETIAS travel authorization is linked to your passport, so if your passport expires or the three-year validity period ends, you will need to apply for a new travel authorization.

No specific date has been announced yet regarding its implementation but the ETIAS system’s goal seems to be tighter border security given that holding one “does not guarantee an automatic right of entry.”

So, will this deter you from traveling to Europe soon?