The European Commission has just published the long-awaited proposal of the EU Travel Information & Authorization System (ETIAS). ETIAS is expected to be operational as early as 2020.

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization system proposed by the European Commission. It is similar to ESTA that was introduced in the US. The system is for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the European Union (EU) but have been granted visa free access to the EU and Schengen Area.

ETIAS is created to identify any potential security or irregular migration risks associated with a visa free visitor travelling to the EU. All visa free third-country nationals who plan to travel to the EU will have to apply for travel authorization through the system prior to their trip.

The ETIAS must be applied for online via website and / or mobile prior to arrival to the EU. The cost is €5 however individuals under the age of 18 will not need to pay the fee.

The personal biometric data, travel document information, EU member state of entry, background questions will be required for each ETIAS application. The information would be cross-checked against other EU information systems. A determination would be made in relation to the threat the individual has on EU security, and a decision will be reached by the system within minutes.

If an ETIAS application is approved, it will be issued for a period of five years or until the date of the applicant's passport expiry, whichever date is sooner. If an ETIAS application is denied, the applicant will receive a reason for the refusal as well as information on the country or authority deciding against the ETIAS being approved.

The ETIAS can only be used for transit, tourism and business travel. An ETIAS will be checked by carriers, prior to a traveler boarding by air, land or sea. If an ETIAS is not approved, the traveler will not be allowed to board the travel vessel, be it an airplane, boat or bus.

Upon entry into the EU country, a border guard will make the decision on admitting a traveler based on the information in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) system, the approved ETIAS, as well as the travel documents and disposition of the traveler.

Sources:
ETIAS
EUROPA - European Union website