etias visa waiver

Check the Latest Answers to ETIAS Questions

Information about ETIAS for U.S. citizens is available on our website in several forms. You can check out the most frequently discussed topics in the FAQ section below. If you have any questions about visa-free travel in the Schengen area, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by email.
We provide information to U.S. citizens about the required procedures for travel to Schengen countries. Many people are unaware of this new system that will replace visa-free travel from 2025 onward, so finding information can be difficult, even for Americans. To facilitate ongoing processes that provide Americans with reliable information, we have created this easily navigable site for travelers. This site contains information related to ETIAS questions, requirements, and applications. Our operations are entirely independent of the European Union and government services. You can also find the most recent news and updates about planned changes on our website, a reliable source ETIAS information for U.S. citizens.

etias visa waiver

Frequently Asked Questions on ETIAS

ETIAS will be mandatory for citizens of all countries, including U.S. citizens, who previously used a biometric passport to travel to the Schengen Area. The system will go into effect in 2025, strengthening security in the Schengen Area.

An ETIAS visa will allow U.S. citizens traveling to the Schengen Area to stay in Europe for as long as 90 days. The advantage of ETIAS is that it allows the possibility of multiple visits to European countries during its operation (within three years from the date of issue). Visitors traveling from America to Europe are permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days. An ETIAS visa will be valid for U.S. citizens up to three years before their passport’s expiration date. If the passport expires within the ETIAS period, they must complete a new application because the visa waiver can only be electronically linked to one travel document.
ETIAS will permit U.S. citizens to travel to Europe for a variety of reasons: transit, business, tourism, or medical treatment. The visa-free rule will not allow U.S. citizens to work in Europe. If an American citizen attempts to work in Europe, he/she will violate ETIAS requirements. In this case, the U.S. citizen may be prohibited from submitting a new application in the future. To work in Europe, U.S. citizens must apply for a Schengen visa at the embassy or at the consulate of the specific Schengen state they wish to work in.
An ETIAS visa will not allow U.S. citizens to study in Europe. A certified visa waiver will only allow a U.S. traveler to visit Europe for medical, business, tourist, or transit purposes. To study in the Schengen countries, U.S. citizens must apply for a national visa for the specific country they plan to study in or present a study permit. They must apply for Schengen visa at the consulate of the country where they intend to continue their studies.
Starting in 2023, ETIAS will be mandatory for U.S. citizens traveling to Europe. There will be a 6-month transition period before the system is fully operational.