The European Union has confirmed that the long-awaited European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS will be delayed until the Spring of 2025. The new system will be implemented to create a central database of visitors from non-EU countries who wish to visit Europe. ETIAS mirrors a similar program instituted by the U.S. known as ESTA which is the American visa waiver program that has been in place since 2009.
When ETIAS is finally implemented citizens of 60 non-EU countries who don’t currently need visas, such as US, UK, and Canadian citizens, would need to sign up online, pay the 7 euro fee, and register through the ETIAS website for clearance. ETIAS, once issued is valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
ETIAS would have presented a real shock to the throngs of people who visit Europe every summer and even more so, the added multitude of visitors expected to attend the Olympics in Paris next summer. The reason given for this new delay is the Entry/Exit system that needs to be smoothly in place before ETIAS is able to come online. ETIAS and the airlines will need a full-fledged marketing and PR campaign to alert travelers accustomed to flying across the Atlantic with nothing more than a reservation or two, to make the program rollout a success.
The Optical Journal will keep our readers who want to enjoy a European Optical Trade Event updated about ETIAS as we get the news, but for now, everything remains the same. All you need is a passport and a plane ticket to enjoy some of the great trade shows of 2024. For more information on ETIAS, visit their website, etias.com.
