Info on the ETIAS system starting May 2023

[eurajohn]

Some relatively easy to understand on travel into the EU Schengen Link

 

[slowdriver]

Helpful Thanks.

 

[hja]

notice the etias visa will be free for the over 70s.

 

[DerryW]

Thanks for the reminder

 

[Carpmart]

I note that ETIAS introduction is very unclear WRT those travelling as close family (spouse in my case) under EU Directive 2004 with an EU passport holder… Will I need a three year ETIAS. I guess I will continue to have to educate the border officials around the EU Directive in question….

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[Orion]

I note that ETIAS introduction is very unclear WRT those travelling as close family (spouse in my case) under EU Directive 2004 with an EU passport holder… Will I need a three year ETIAS. I guess I will continue to have to educate the border officials around the EU Directive in question….

Not just unclear, but positively opaque!

I’m in the same boat as you, so anticipating being pulled aside into the ‘special’ lane/shed along with the suspected drug mules, terrorists, serial 90/180 overstayers, and given the treatment!

I can only see this situation …….

“However, with reports of some passports not being stamped or even stamped incorrectly (especially for EU residents who shouldn’t have their passports stamped), this system has inevitably led to difficulties for certain travellers.”

……getting worse. So time to print off whatever EU legislation and border control best practice etc. I can locate - and be prepared for some multilingual arguing!

 

[nicholsong]

notice the etias visa will be free for the over 70s.

It is not a visa. It is registration of personal details for people who are already free to travel and are exempt from having to apply for a visa.

 

[hja]

It is not a visa. It is registration of personal details for people who are already free to travel and are exempt from having to apply for a visa.

The article refers to it as a visa system, and also like s it to the us short stay visas.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Not just unclear, but positively opaque!

I’m in the same boat as you, so anticipating being pulled aside into the ‘special’ lane/shed along with the suspected drug mules, terrorists, serial 90/180 overstayers, and given the treatment!

I can only see this situation …….

“However, with reports of some passports not being stamped or even stamped incorrectly (especially for EU residents who shouldn’t have their passports stamped), this system has inevitably led to difficulties for certain travellers.”

……getting worse. So time to print off whatever EU legislation and border control best practice etc. I can locate - and be prepared for some multilingual arguing!

Is that because one of you is an EU Citizen and one not ?

 

[Orion]

Is that because one of you is an EU Citizen and one not ?

Yes, correct. Under the present system the non-EU citizen spouse when accompanied by the EU citizen shouldn’t have their passport stamped on entry/exit, but the reality is that the border staff will, in most cases I’ve seen reported, do just that.

How our status will be established once the system goes fully electronic is anyones guess, although I suspect we’ll be pulled out and have to justify our position with marriage certificate, joint travel tickets, etc. to prove we have been travelling together.

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[Soycd]

Schengen Area and Visa Requirements: Comprehensive Information for Travelers

Discover everything you need to know about the Schengen Area and Schengen Visa requirements. Your ultimate guide for hassle-free travel across Europe.

www.schengenvisainfo.com

This gives more info. but I'm struggling to find out what happens when you turn up at the port/tunnel regarding biometric data checks once you have done the application for ETIAS. That could be the crunch point. How will they check? At an airport they do retina scans.

 

[hja]

Schengen Area and Visa Requirements: Comprehensive Information for Travelers

Discover everything you need to know about the Schengen Area and Schengen Visa requirements. Your ultimate guide for hassle-free travel across Europe.

www.schengenvisainfo.com

This gives more info. but I'm struggling to find out what happens when you turn up at the port/tunnel regarding biometric data checks once you have done the application for ETIAS. That could be the crunch point. How will they check? At an airport they do retina scans.

I thought this was one of the ongoing arguments about the entry exit system. This will need eye scans etc and require people to get out of the car. The Port of Dover was complaining not so long ago about this and the Euro tunnel was commenting that obviously exit leads straight onto the main road. The scheme would work OK in an airport. I don’t know if the long crossings can do the checks on board?

 

[Soycd]

I thought this was one of the ongoing arguments about the entry exit system. This will need eye scans etc and require people to get out of the car. The Port of Dover was complaining not so long ago about this and the Euro tunnel was commenting that obviously exit leads straight onto the main road. The scheme would work OK in an airport. I don’t know if the long crossings can do the checks on board?

That was also my understanding ref retina scans etc. if that’s the case it will cause chaos at Dover and tunnel. I’ve used the retina scan at airports and at Eurostar, it’s not exactly quick. I’d say the stamping of say 4 of passports at control probably takes less than a minute. If everyone has to get out for a retina scan could take ages. Does anyone know how this will be implemented at uk non airport exits?

 

[Verteuil Man]

I think the article is incorrect with the implementation date. I always read it as being fully implemented by November 2023.

ETIAS - Travel Entry Authorization for Visa-Exempt Nationals

Discover how the upcoming ETIAS Travel Entry Authorization will affect your travels in Europe and find out about the latest requirements for travellers exempt from visas.

www.schengenvisainfo.com

 

[Trevor Wbm]

I've read lots of speculation around eye scans and fingerprints being a logistical problem at ports but can't find any reference to them actually being required on any of the official ETIAS sites I've looked at. Given both would require specialist equipment for the initial data capture I would have thought that the need to visit a centre to undertake that process would be mentioned. It isn't.

The process, assuming you have no skeletons in the cupboard, appears to be to fill in a form, add passport details, pay, wait a few minutes, then get one via email.

Given that, my guess is that the process at the border will be to scan a QR or bar code, check that the details match the passport and that time permitted in the Schengen zone is not likely to be exceeded before waving us through. Probably quicker than the diligent search for the most perverse and unlikley page to put a stamp on, which seems to be the current system.

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[hja]

I've read lots of speculation around eye scans and fingerprints being a logistical problem at ports but can't find any reference to them actually being required on any of the official ETIAS sites I've looked at. Given both would require specialist equipment for the initial data capture I would have thought that the need to visit a centre to undertake that process would be mentioned. It isn't.

The process, assuming you have no skeletons in the cupboard, appears to be to fill in a form, add passport details, pay, wait a few minutes, then get one via email.

Given that, my guess is that the process at the border will be to scan a QR or bar code, check that the details match the passport and that time permitted in the Schengen zone is not likely to be exceeded before waving us through. Probably quicker than the diligent search for the most perverse and unlikley page to put a stamp on, which seems to be the current system.

i didnt think it was for etias, but for the entry exit system

Broken Link Removed
There are similar articles in daily newspapers.

 

[Fontie]

When you apply for the ETIAS part of the application you will have to give your passport number, its then added to your passport electronically so immigration run your passport through the reader and it shows you have a valid ETIAS.

 

[Brains]

That was also my understanding ref retina scans etc. if that’s the case it will cause chaos at Dover and tunnel. I’ve used the retina scan at airports and at Eurostar, it’s not exactly quick. I’d say the stamping of say 4 of passports at control probably takes less than a minute. If everyone has to get out for a retina scan could take ages. Does anyone know how this will be implemented at uk non airport exits?

My experience of retina scans in Dubai and the UAE and Heathrow is:

A) They don't actually work in my case.

B) Time is approx 45 mins each time.

Both Dover and the Eurostar say they dont have the space

 

[Soycd]

My experience of retina scans in Dubai and the UAE and Heathrow is:

A) They don't actually work in my case.

B) Time is approx 45 mins each time.

Both Dover and the Eurostar say they dont have the space

Roll on November 2023!!

 

[Soycd]

When you apply for the ETIAS part of the application you will have to give your passport number, its then added to your passport electronically so immigration run your passport through the reader and it shows you have a valid ETIAS.

So does that mean that we only need to hand over passports, they get scanned and thats it? Hope so. I'm not sure how cohesive the link will be between ETIAS and UK to get that information from them to UK passport system? This would also mean connecting to every other non EU passport system in the world who also need to apply for ETIAS.

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[Orion]

So does that mean that we only need to hand over passports, they get scanned and thats it? Hope so. I'm not sure how cohesive the link will be between ETIAS and UK to get that information from them to UK passport system? This would also mean connecting to every other non EU passport system in the world who also need to apply for ETIAS.

The ETIAS application process would appear to confirm the link between passport and ETIAS for any number of participating countries. Hopefully it will mean that the existing passport scan will suffice once the systems are aligned.

 

[Soycd]

The ETIAS application process would appear to confirm the link between passport and ETIAS for any number of participating countries. Hopefully it will mean that the existing passport scan will suffice once the systems are aligned.

I'm afraid the link you posted appears to be a fake/third party ETIAS website. It looks professional but its not the real thing. All the information that is is currently available about ETIAS is here.

Schengen Area and Visa Requirements: Comprehensive Information for Travelers

Discover everything you need to know about the Schengen Area and Schengen Visa requirements. Your ultimate guide for hassle-free travel across Europe.

www.schengenvisainfo.com

This link is interesting as well.

EU Warns Travellers From Visa-Free Countries Over ETIAS Scammers

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) needs another year to become fully effective, but the European Union authorities are already warning travellers from over 60 visa-free countries to be aware of fraudulent websites that pretend to be the official ETIAS website or...

www.schengenvisainfo.com

 

[Orion]

I'm afraid the link you posted appears to be a fake/third party ETIAS website. It looks professional but its not the real thing. All the information that is is currently available about ETIAS is here.

Schengen Area and Visa Requirements: Comprehensive Information for Travelers

Discover everything you need to know about the Schengen Area and Schengen Visa requirements. Your ultimate guide for hassle-free travel across Europe.

www.schengenvisainfo.com

This link is interesting as well.

EU Warns Travellers From Visa-Free Countries Over ETIAS Scammers

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) needs another year to become fully effective, but the European Union authorities are already warning travellers from over 60 visa-free countries to be aware of fraudulent websites that pretend to be the official ETIAS website or...

www.schengenvisainfo.com

Oh that’s a bummer, but thanks for the heads up.

 

[Soycd]

Oh that’s a bummer, but thanks for the heads up.

No problem! It’s a minefield out there!

 

[The Wino]

Yes, correct. Under the present system the non-EU citizen spouse when accompanied by the EU citizen shouldn’t have their passport stamped on entry/exit, but the reality is that the border staff will, in most cases I’ve seen reported, do just that.

How our status will be established once the system goes fully electronic is anyones guess, although I suspect we’ll be pulled out and have to justify our position with marriage certificate, joint travel tickets, etc. to prove we have been travelling together.

How does that work at the moment then if your passeport isn't stamped on the way in do they ask to see your spouses passeport on leaving if not it's currently totally open to abuse. Presumably under the new system they will at least document your entry and exit by biometric data. Surely at the moment a logical approach would be to stamp you in and out and add another to document that you were with an EU spouse . Our accountant did once say that the reliance on rubber stamps that anyone could order on the internet as forms of authentication was laughable in todays age it does remind me of playing post offices as a kid.

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[rod_vw]

ETIAS delayed again...

EU biometric border system faces more delays

A new border control system, which was pushed back to May, has been delayed to the end of the year.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[slowdriver]

This may be of use:

UPDATE: EU postpones launch of EES border entry system once again

The EU has announced that its EES border system - which includes taking biometric data from non-EU visitors - will be delayed once again from its planned start date of May 2023.

www.thelocal.com

 

[The Wino]

This may be of use:

UPDATE: EU postpones launch of EES border entry system once again

The EU has announced that its EES border system - which includes taking biometric data from non-EU visitors - will be delayed once again from its planned start date of May 2023.

www.thelocal.com

From that article the new checks will be at all EU borders rather than just the Schengen area ones so presumably at Gibraltar as well. I wonder what they're going to do about travel from Ireland to mainland Europe as Brits or anyone visiting Northern Ireland could travel into Ireland without a border check presumably a new border arrangement from Ireland into the rest of the EU a bit like the customs border from the rest of the UK to NI.