A Schengen visa entitles people outside the Schengen area to enter it. So far, most travellers should not care much about this. The Schengen visa is only required for residents of certain countries. These are countries which the German authorities consider to be particularly risky to enter. Other people have been allowed to enter without a visa until now.
ETIAS does not replace the Schengen visa
ETIAS is not another name for the Schengen visa. Anyone who needs a visa for the Schengen area in the future will have to apply for one. The situation is different if the tourist or business traveller can simply enter the Schengen area. This will change from the end of 2022. Anyone who has not needed a Schengen visa up to now will have to fill out an ETIAS application. For many, this may be a burden at first glance. British media even speak of an "entry fee". Both are wrong: it is neither a burden nor an entry fee. Anyone who regularly travels to the USA has known this for several years. Before entering the country, the tourist has to fill out an ESTA application. This is quick and after just a few minutes, the applicant receives his or her travel authorisation.
ETIAS should work in a similar way. The form can be easily filled out online on the computer. Even on a mobile phone or tablet it will be possible without any problems. Those who have neither an internet connection nor a suitable terminal should contact a friend or an agency.
ETIAS requires less effort
There is another reason why ETIAS and Schengen visas should not be equated with each other: a Schengen visa involves more effort and is also considerably more expensive. Those who need a visa for the Schengen area usually enter from a country where criminals and terrorists have entered several times in the past. Of course, most travellers have honest intentions. Nevertheless, it is better to be safe than sorry. In order to get a visa, it is necessary to visit the embassy in the country of origin. There, they must answer questions about themselves and their travel intentions. If the answers are to the satisfaction of the official, he or she will receive a visa for the Schengen area. The validity varies and depends on the purpose of the journey.
A Schengen visa can easily be filled out online as explained above and is valid for three years. However, if the passport expires before then, the validity of ETIAS will also be shortened accordingly.
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A Schengen visa entitles people outside the Schengen area to enter it. So far, most travellers should not care much about this. The Schengen visa is only required for residents of certain countries. These are countries which the German authorities consider to be particularly risky to enter. Other people have been allowed to enter without a visa until now.
ETIAS does not replace the Schengen visa
ETIAS is not another name for the Schengen visa. Anyone who needs a visa for the Schengen area in the future will have to apply for one. The situation is different if the tourist or business traveller can simply enter the Schengen area. This will change from the end of 2022. Anyone who has not needed a Schengen visa up to now will have to fill out an ETIAS application. For many, this may be a burden at first glance. British media even speak of an "entry fee". Both are wrong: it is neither a burden nor an entry fee. Anyone who regularly travels to the USA has known this for several years. Before entering the country, the tourist has to fill out an ESTA application. This is quick and after just a few minutes, the applicant receives his or her travel authorisation.
ETIAS should work in a similar way. The form can be easily filled out online on the computer. Even on a mobile phone or tablet it will be possible without any problems. Those who have neither an internet connection nor a suitable terminal should contact a friend or an agency.
ETIAS requires less effort
There is another reason why ETIAS and Schengen visas should not be equated with each other: a Schengen visa involves more effort and is also considerably more expensive. Those who need a visa for the Schengen area usually enter from a country where criminals and terrorists have entered several times in the past. Of course, most travellers have honest intentions. Nevertheless, it is better to be safe than sorry. In order to get a visa, it is necessary to visit the embassy in the country of origin. There, they must answer questions about themselves and their travel intentions. If the answers are to the satisfaction of the official, he or she will receive a visa for the Schengen area. The validity varies and depends on the purpose of the journey.
A Schengen visa can easily be filled out online as explained above and is valid for three years. However, if the passport expires before then, the validity of ETIAS will also be shortened accordingly.