Just to clarify... We do not need this visa until next year? Thx in advance.. Steve
No, and it has been delayed.
According to this site, https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/, at the bottom of the page states:
When will ETIAS be implemented?
It is believed that the ETIAS will be operational in January 2021.
According to this site, https://www.etiasvisa.com/, it states:
WHEN DOES EU ETIAS BECOME OBLIGATORY?
The European Commission officially announced that the ETIAS travel authorization system will become a reality at the end of 2022. The EU Parliament and Commission will provide the financial support it will take to implement ETIAS and development will start immediately.
So it appears not this year, but maybe 2021. They are still working on implementation, thus the actual implementation date is not yet set.
Steve, Just to clarify, the planned ETIAS system IS NOT A VISA. It is a requirement for non-Schengen Area citizens to register, give your passport details and get approval online before travelling to the Schengen Area for the first time. It is expected to enter into operation in 2021.
It is very similar to the ESTA system which the US put in place in 2007 affecting non US citizens travelling to the USA.
Prospective visitors will need to complete an online application, and a fee will be required from those between ages 18 and 70. The system is expected to process the vast majority of applications automatically by searching in electronic databases and provide an immediate response, but in some cases it may take up to four days if manual processing is needed. If approved, the authorisation will be valid for three years, or until the expiration date of the travel document if earlier.
The correct story is on the official EU site here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_18_4362
The links posted above are non-official websites, of which there are plenty.
What Chris said.
Indeed, you won’t need a visa, but you will need an ETIAS (if you are American).
Just like my husband doesn’t need a visa to come to the US, but he needs an ESTA.