Singaporeans planning to visit Europe can now breathe a sigh of relief, as the European Union (EU) has decided to delay the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) until the spring of 2025. This decision comes as welcome news to travelers from Singapore and 58 other countries and territories who were set to be affected by the new travel requirement.
ETIAS is Europe’s answer to pre-screening non-European Union travelers who enter the continent without a visa. Modeled after the United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), ETIAS is designed to enhance security by identifying potential security risks before they reach European shores. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 70 will be required to pay a €7 (S$10) fee for the ETIAS document, while it remains free for those outside of this age range.
Initially, it was reported by The Straits Times in July that the new travel requirement would be implemented in 2024. However, due to a range of issues, including resource constraints and data integration problems, the launch has been postponed to spring 2025.
The Council of the European Union clarified that the EU Entry/Exit System, which tracks the movements of non-EU travelers, needs to be operational before ETIAS can be effectively implemented. This information, reported by SchengenVisaInfo.com, underscores the complexity of integrating such a system.
Once ETIAS is fully operational in 2025, travelers from 30 countries in Europe will be required to apply for the ETIAS document. These countries primarily consist of continental European nations that share borders and are co-signers of the Schengen Agreement, which established a freedom of movement zone between participating nations. Among these 30 countries are familiar destinations such as Belgium, Iceland, and the Netherlands. Notably, the United Kingdom is not included in this list. Three other non-Schengen countries—Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania—will also be implementing ETIAS.
“In the year 2025, citizens from Singapore will be required to complete an ETIAS application prior to boarding an aircraft, sea carrier, or coach vehicle for Europe, and this includes travelers who will only be transiting in Europe en route to other destinations,” according to etias.com. This means that Singaporeans and other affected travelers should stay informed about the application process and ensure they comply with the new requirements.
It’s essential to note that Singaporeans are not the only travelers affected by ETIAS. Citizens from 58 other countries and territories, including Malaysia, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Canada, will also be required to apply for the ETIAS document. This document, once obtained, will be valid for three years.
Applicants will receive notification regarding their ETIAS application within 96 hours of submission. This notification will inform travelers whether their application has been approved, refused, or if it requires manual processing.
(Source: Elaine Lee | Straits Times)
