You will soon need a "visa" for Europe

It is not a visa. It even says so in the article:

While ETIAS is not the same as a visa -- it is quicker, done online, and requires no biometric information -- there is still a procedure and a cost to acquiring it, rather like the United States' scheme, ESTA.

What about Mastercard? Will that be required, too? I only have American Express.

I'm sure that old hands here know it isn't a visa, perhaps the reason for the quote marks, and that it has been in the wings for a long tome, and may or may not ever happen...

Thank you, Lee. In spite of the odd assortment of responses you have received, I appreciate your posting. This is a good matter to bring to people's attention multiple times because no matter how many times it is mentioned, if it gets put into place for 2023, you can rest assured that at least one person will come to forum upset that "no one told me" that a ETIAS would be necessary........

if it gets put into place for 2023, you can rest assured that at least one person will come to forum upset that "no one told me" that a ETIAS would be necessary........

Hahaha, Carol now retired, truer words were never spoken! 🤣

If it's anything like the U.S. ESTA form, you will not be able to board your flight if you haven't got one. The airlines don't want to have you bring you home immediately at their expense.

"Old hands" might know it's not visa, but newbies may not.

I did put the word "visa" in quotes because I already knew that they were denying that it is a visa. According the the ETIAS website, it is not a visa, but a visa waiver.

The application is usually online, and applicants do not generally
have to provide biometric information or attend an interview. Applying
for a visa waiver is quicker and easier than obtaining a visa.

It's all a game of semantics. (If it looks like a visa, quacks like a visa, ... ) The ETIAS "visa waiver" is more difficult to get (ie, requires more effort) than whatever we were automatically granted at immigration in Schengen countries and was officially called a Type C, Short-stay Schengen Visa. To get the Short-stay Schengen visa, we didn't have to provide biometric data or attend an interview. But by European Law (Treaty, whatever), people with a US passport don't need a visa, so they have to call it something else, right?

So if you get an offer in the mail saying you are "pre-approved" for a Schengen Visa, you can ignore it.

rather like the United States' scheme, ESTA.

Note, when we do it, it's a "scheme". When they do it, it's a "waiver".

Note, when we do it, it's a "scheme". When they do it, it's a "waiver".

In the US , "scheme" is often used to describe some sort of 'nefarious' plan

Europeans use it thusly:

a large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular object or putting a particular idea into effect.

For travel in what countries does this waiver apply? Is it Schengen? But the UK was never a member of Schengen. Now they are not a member of the EU, either. Ireland is EU, but not Schengen. Will the ETIAS "waiver" apply to Ireland?

I guess that by law, or international treaty, or something, people with US passports don't have to have a visa to go to Europe. Or they automatically get one (Schengen Type 3, short stay visa). But now, in order to go to Europe, you will have to pay for a waiver from the visa they don't have to have or automatically get for free. ????

Europe announces the ETIAS visa requirement.

1. About 50% of the European countries (24 EU members) will use the system and about 50% will not use the system (20 to 24 non EU members depending on the definition of Europe). "Europe" has done nothing.
   Why does it matter? because it is supposed that a forum full of world travelers will discuss things at a different level (and sensitivity for those just excluded from Europe in the conversation).
   Not a criticism but I think it adds value to the forum to think this way. I get lazy too so I am not throwing stones.
   
2. The European ETIAS is cheaper than the North American ESTA.
   
3. The application seems nearly identical to the Turkish "Visa" online application, so maybe the Turkish Visa is not a Visa after all?
   
4. Pay the fee for the VIsa/Not-A-Visa thingy-magiggie, its cheap, go have a good time; or, in protest, limit your travel to Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, Vatican City

https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/system/files/2022-03/European%20Travel%20Information%20and%20Authorisation%20System-ETIAS-memo_en.pdf

A one stop recap of what it is.

One key point :
Prior to boarding, air and sea carriers, as well as carriers transporting
groups overland by coach will have to verify the status of the travel
document required for entering the Schengen Area, including the
requirement to hold a valid ETIAS travel authorisation.

This is an UNOFFICIAL site -- https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-form-application

but it does offer a means to get on a list to be notified when the application process is up and running ( scroll down)

joe32F, the article said "EU" Is it an EU thing or a Schengen thing? Or covers both?
EU but not Schengen: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania
Schengen but not EU: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City (I think that's right).

Since 1999 (implementation of the Treaty of Amsterdam) Schengen has become an EU project. It operates under mainstream EU law. Schengen Borders Code is EU law (look it up). Non-EU members do not have a vote on any proposed changes, they are consulted but their only option is to leave Schengen if they disagree.

A whole new generation of Europeans grew up with Schengen being EU, I have no idea why the rest of the world somehow got stuck in the past and still see Schengen as something separate.

ETIAS will apply to both, EU and Schengen countries except Ireland (the only EU country with an opt-out from joining Schengen) although Ireland may join ETIAS in the future should it re-think it's common travel area with the UK. Even wikipedia is up-to date and says:
"The ETIAS travel authorisation will be required for travel to the Schengen Area as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania.[2] The EU member Ireland will not initially participate in ETIAS, but might join it in the future.[3] It is expected the ETIAS visa waiver to enter into operation at the end of 2022,[4] but ETIAS travel authorization will not be mandatory until 2023.[5][2][6][7] A 6-month grace period is planned to allow eligible travellers and staff to become familiar with the new system, and to catch possible technical problems.[8]"

So no more border checks when I cross from Hungary to Romania or Croatia and back. That's good to hear. Last time it was a bit long...... Or still have the Schengen to non-Schengen border check plus ETIAS? Hmmmmmm. So if it applies to both EU and to Schengen that leaves 45% of Europe it doesn't apply to, so still not a "visa for Europe".

Border checks between Schengen and Non-Schengen EU members are, of course, to stay. Passport and ETIAS are not the same thing and they are not mutually exclusive. One does not replace the other. ETIAS is something extra that will be required in addition to your passport.

It's not me who used the term "visa for Europe". It's not a visa for Europe and has never intended to be.

This topic was covered by at least 2 posts about 10 days ago.

Yes, but apparently people are still confused even about the most basic things like Schengen vs the EU despite over 20 years passing in the meantime.

This so-called "visa" needed in 2023....good !

Border checks can happen anywhere. In April, I flew from Athens to Stockholm (both in Schengen) and had to go through passport control in Stockholm. In fact, it was the toughest border control I've encountered in years. Lots of questions and I had to show proof of my leaving Schengen.

ETIAS is a way for prospective visitors to register and be checked ahead of time. It might make passport control quicker. It might not.

Does anyone know if ETIAS is also using fingerprint detection?

It seems there is always some issue with the Schengen vs the Non-Schengens.

My only thought is once implemented, the deluge of websites and businesses offering to "process your EITIAS "Visa" worry free"

Sites like https://www.etiasvisa.com/ and https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/ are not set up out of the goodness of their hearts to provide information only.

The confusion and questions, even on here among seasoned travelers is prime profitmaking opportunity.

Don't worry, at that time I will have a link that will take care of you, worry-free, guaranteed.