Forum Topic

Technically the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) isn't a visa it's a mechanism to gather information on travellers from countries who don't need a visa to visit the EU; my understanding is a visa is an entry in one's passport? (It's a bit like the US ESTA visa waiver scheme.) My understanding is its needed for EU countries and non EU countries that are members of Schengen (Switzerland, Iceland, Norway). UK citizens will not need it for entry to Ireland because of the common travel area. It's obviously added bureaucracy that wasn't needed before Brexit but some people voted for it, I can't understand why. It's hoped the ETIAS will make checks at airports and rail stations smoother and faster but there could be issues with additional delays at car ferries and car rail shuttles if all car passengers have to get out to pass the biometric checks individually - not sure there's anyway around that. It's introduction was delayed until May 23 but I think it may have been further delayed until November 23? To be honest entry to the US with an ESTA doesn't seem any faster than the couple of times I entered with my multiple, indefinite US Visa before the ESTA scheme but the application process is a lot simpler as one can do it online without taking one's passport to the embassy for an interview and having one's passport stamped with the visa.The bigger issue is for those UK citizens who want or need to live and work in the EU. It's a lot more bureaucratic and costly than ever and, as a UK citizen, the fact one has residency in or a work visa in one country it doesn't give you freedom to live or work in another EU country. [As musicians who want to tour Europe have found :-( ]

Michael Ixer ● 1042d