Latest news with #EuropeanTravelInformationandAuthorizationSystem
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Europe's ETIAS fee just tripled: What US travelers need to know
The program has been continually delayed since its initial announcement in 2016, with an initial launch date planned for 2022. Here's what travelers need to know about ETIAS when it begins late next year. What is the European Travel Information and Authorization System? Prescreening travelers to the Schengen Area, the new systems "aim to strengthen European security and security of those who travel," according to the official website. U.K. travel authorization: You'll need to pay this fee to enter the country. Not to be confused with a visa, the ETIAS is an entry requirement for visitors from 59 countries, including the United States, to travel to 30 EU countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You can apply online, and approval time takes as quickly as minutes to a few days. "ETIAS is not a visa and does not reintroduce visa-like obligations," European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper previously told USA TODAY. "There will be no need to go to a consulate to make an application, no biometric data will be collected and no additional documentation will be required beyond a valid travel document." How long does the ETIAS last? It lasts for three years and is tied to your passport. So if you get a new passport, you also need a new ETIAS. How much does the ETIAS cost? It's free for applicants who are under 18 or over 70. For everyone else, the costs is EUR20 (about $23.20).
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Planning a trip to Europe? You'll soon need this $23 document.
The European electronic travel authorization isn't even in effect yet, but the European Union is already bumping up the fees. According to the EU, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be implemented for visa-free travelers in the last quarter of 2026, and an application will now cost 20 euros (about $23.20), up from the initially announced 7 euros. The program has been continually delayed since its initial announcement in 2016, with an initial launch date planned for 2022. Here's what travelers need to know about ETIAS when it begins late next year. What is the European Travel Information and Authorization System? Prescreening travelers to the Schengen Area, the new systems "aim to strengthen European security and security of those who travel," according to the official website. U.K. travel authorization: You'll need to pay this fee to enter the country. Not to be confused with a visa, the ETIAS is an entry requirement for visitors from 59 countries, including the United States, to travel to 30 EU countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You can apply online, and approval time takes as quickly as minutes to a few days. "ETIAS is not a visa and does not reintroduce visa-like obligations,' European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper previously told USA TODAY. "There will be no need to go to a consulate to make an application, no biometric data will be collected and no additional documentation will be required beyond a valid travel document." How long does the ETIAS last? It lasts for three years and is tied to your passport. So if you get a new passport, you also need a new ETIAS. How much does the ETIAS cost? It's free for applicants who are under 18 or over 70. For everyone else, the costs is €20 (about $23.20).
USA Today
24-04-2025
- USA Today
Pope Francis' funeral is on Saturday. It's not too late to pay respects, but it's close.
Pope Francis' funeral is on Saturday. It's not too late to pay respects, but it's close. Show Caption Hide Caption Thousands pay respect to Pope Francis as he lies in state The body of Pope Francis was carried in a solemn procession from his residence within the walls of the Vatican City to St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis will be laid to rest on Saturday. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church died on Monday, after battling double pneumonia and other health issues earlier this year. His body is currently lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica, where streams of mourners have gathered to pay respects. The basilica will be open to the public until midnight Thursday and 7 p.m. Friday, for prayer and mourning. How sacred sites are helping travelers reconnect – with themselves and each other Travelers considering last-minute trips still have time, but it's getting close. Here's what to know about visiting the Vatican before and after Pope Francis' funeral. What is the best way to get to the Vatican? Vatican City is surrounded by Rome. The nearest major airport with transatlantic flights is Rome Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport (FCO). There's also another airport in Rome – Rome Ciampino "G.B. Pastine" Airport (CIA) – but that primarily serves European budget airlines traveling within Europe. Upon arriving in Rome, travelers can take a bus, metro, tram or taxi to Vatican City. How much is a trip to Rome? Airfares vary widely by point of origin and airline, but as of Thursday morning, Norse Atlantic Airways had last-minute flights between New York and Rome for under $500 roundtrip. Airfares on other airlines and from other cities easily cost twice as much. Well-reviewed hotel rooms are still available in Rome for upwards of $200 nightly, according to Expedia. Expedia reports that lodging queries for Rome have jumped 35% this week which airfare searches have gone up 250%. Can US citizens travel to Vatican City? Yes. Neither a passport nor visa are required to enter Vatican City, which is an independent sovereign state. However, a passport is required to enter Italy. Currently Italy does not require tourist visas for U.S. citizens visiting for less than 90 days. However, starting in late next year, European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) approval will be required to visit Italy and other countries with the European Union's Schengen Area. The State Department warns travelers should exercise increased caution when visiting Italy due to potential terrorism and recommends travelers sign up for its free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program in case of emergencies. Can I just visit the Vatican? Typically, yes, but this is not a typical week. The Vatican Museums website advises: The Vatican Museums and Castel Gandolfo Museum Complex will be closed Saturday for mourning. The Sistine Chapel will close to the public starting Monday for the papal conclave to select the next pope. Tours of the Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis are temporarily suspended. Also, while St. Peter's Basilica will be open to the public Thursday and Friday, its dome will be closed until Sunday. Visitors should note that paid tickets and reservations are required for some Vatican experiences. Story continues below. What time is the funeral for the pope? The funeral mass will begin at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter's Square. Vatican time is 6 hours ahead of ET. How can I watch the pope's funeral? The Vatican will livestream the funeral mass and internment on its website and Vatican News YouTube channel. The Vatican has already posted the booklet for the celeration on its website. Several major networks, including NBC, CBS and ABC, also plan to air the funeral live on TV and/or their streaming channels. Breaking tradition: Even in death, Pope Francis is doing things differently Where is Pope Francis being buried? Unlike many of his papal predecessors interred at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis will be buried outside the Vatican at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. In his official testament, dated June 29, 2022, and published by Vatican News following his death, Pope Francis wrote: 'Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.' Travelers who can't make it to the Vatican before the pope's funeral can visit the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major down the line. It's open daily and free to enter.
Arab Times
19-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Travelers from 61 Countries to Face New EU Entry Requirements
The European Union is set to implement stricter regulations on visa-free travel in 2025, potentially affecting citizens from 61 countries. This initiative aims to enhance migration control and address security concerns. Expanded Grounds for Suspension The revised rules will empower the EU to suspend visa-free access more swiftly and for extended periods under several new conditions: * Policy Misalignment: Countries that do not align their visa policies with the EU, especially those that are geographically close, may face suspension. * Investor Citizenship Programs: Nations offering citizenship in exchange for investment, known as "golden passports," are under scrutiny for potentially compromising EU security. * Security Threats: Emerging "hybrid threats," where migration is used as a political tool, have prompted the EU to reassess its border policies. * Human Rights Concerns: Nations failing to uphold human rights or comply with international legal standards may face suspension of visa-free privileges. The EU can now suspend visa-free access for up to 12 months, with possible extensions of up to 24 months. If issues persist, permanent revocation is possible Monitoring and Enforcement * The European Commission will enhance monitoring of visa-free countries, focusing on: * Increases in unfounded asylum applications. * Overstays and irregular migration patterns * Cooperation on the readmission of individuals denied entry Thresholds for triggering suspensions have been adjusted, with a 30% increase in key indicators now sufficient to initiate action. Implications for Travelers Travelers from affected countries should stay informed about these changes and consult official EU resources or embassies before planning trips to the Schengen Area. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will also become mandatory in 2025 for visa-exempt travelers, requiring online application and a €7 fee These measures reflect the EU's commitment to balancing the benefits of visa-free travel with the need to address evolving migration and security challenges. Who Might Be Impacted? Asia-Pacific, Africa & Indian Ocean Australia, Brunei, East Timor, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Tonga, Tuvalu, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). North America & Caribbean Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Mexico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United States. Latin America Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela Europe (Non-EU) Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Holy See, Kosovo, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia, Ukraine, United Kingdom. The above countries currently enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Area, but the new rules could allow the EU to revoke that status more easily if they meet certain conditions.
USA Today
15-03-2025
- USA Today
Do I need a visa to go to Europe? ETIAS gets delayed again, here's what to know.
Do I need a visa to go to Europe? ETIAS gets delayed again, here's what to know. Show Caption Hide Caption Passport processing times explained: How long will it take? Planning a trip? Here's how long it takes to get a passport The European Union has delayed the implementation of its ETIAS travel authorization system to the end of 2026. The ETIAS is not a visa, but a travel authorization for short-term stays in the EU for citizens of visa-exempt countries, including the U.S. If you're traveling to Europe through next year, there's one less thing for you to worry about. The European Union's European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) – which approves entry for short-term stays into the European Union (EU) for visa-exempt nationals – has been postponed to the end of 2026, according to the official website. "No action is required from travelers at this point," the website states. "The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch." On March 5, the EU said it would launch the ETIAS six months after the gradual rollout of the Entry/Exit digital border management system (EES), which will collect biometric data of travelers beginning in late 2025. "Because the EES regulation requires all member states to start using the EES fully and simultaneously, a new regulation was necessary to make a progressive start possible," the Council of the European Union said. First proposed in 2016, the ETIAS was expected to go into effect in 2022 but was continually delayed. The most recent date for implementation was the first half of 2025. Here's what to know about the ETIAS. Traveling to the UK next year? You'll need to pay this fee to enter the country. What is the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)? Prescreening travelers to the Schengen Area, the ETIAS and EES "aim to strengthen European security and security of those who travel," according to the official website. Not to be confused with a visa, the ETIAS is an entry requirement for visitors from 59 countries, including the U.S., to travel to 30 EU countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You can apply online and approval time takes as quickly as minutes to a few days. "ETIAS is not a visa and does not reintroduce visa-like obligations,' European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper previously told USA TODAY. "There will be no need to go to a consulate to make an application, no biometric data will be collected and no additional documentation will be required beyond a valid travel document." How long does the ETIAS last? It lasts for three years and is tied to your passport, so if you get a new passport, you also need a new ETIAS. How much does the ETIAS cost? It's free for applicants who are younger than 18 or older than 70. For everyone else, it costs €7 (about $7.62).
