Confirmed: UK citizens will need ETIAS visa waiver

The European Union (EU) has stated that British travellers would be required to register with the new ETIAS system beginning in 2023. This online visa waiver system is intended to be a necessity for short-term travellers from visa-exempt nations such as the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union has raised concerns about the future of the two countries’ relationship, as well as what Brexit means for tourism and industry.

With the impending implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in 2023, one of the most often asked issues has been whether British people are required to apply to ETIAS.

Many people have expressed worry about how the ETIAS and Brexit may effect UK nationals. EU officials have now confirmed whether the ETIAS would be available to British passport holders travelling to the Schengen Area.

THE EU CONFIRMS THE UK IS ELIGIBLE FOR ETIAS

According to EU sources reviewed by etiasvisatoeu.com, the United Kingdom will be one of the nations requiring people to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. “In response to the issue of whether UK people will be eligible for ETIAS, the answer is that ETIAS will apply to UK nationals.”

When it is deployed in November 2023, the system will be open to British people.

ETIAS will be available exclusively to UK passport holders visiting the European Union or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations for tourism or business, as well as those transiting through an EU or EFTA member state on their way to another destination.

ETIAS will provide travel authorization to UK citizens for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

However, British passport holders who want to work, reside, or study in an EU nation are not eligible for an ETIAS visa waiver. In these circumstances, the individual must apply for the necessary visas and permits from the nation to which they are travelling.

IN WHICH CASES DO UK CITIZENS NEED ETIAS?

According to etiasvisatoeu.com, and in compliance with EU legislation, the United Kingdom has become the newest country to join the club of visa-exempt nations that can visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a row.

This also implies that, beginning in November 2023, inhabitants of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will not only be eligible for, but will also require, the ETIAS in order to secure proper entry to the Schengen region.

To enter any EU or EFTA member country (except the Republic of Ireland) for a short-term visit without a visa, all travellers with a UK passport will be required to register their details online with the system.

Tourism is expected to be the primary motivation for British visitors to use the ETIAS system. As a result, even after Brexit, UK visitors will continue to pay to the EU budget.

WILL UK CITIZENS NEED VISAS FOR EUROPE?

British passport holders will not need a visa for short-term visits to EU nations or other Schengen Area countries, as long as the travel is for tourism or business.

Similarly, no visa is necessary to travel through one of these nations.

Instead, UK citizens can avoid the time-consuming process of applying for a visa at an embassy by registering online with the ETIAS to obtain a visa waiver.

British citizens will need a visa or permit to enter an EU or EFTA member country if they intend to do any of the following in that country:

• Reside
• Work
• Study

The Republic of Ireland is yet another notable exception. Under the terms of the Common Travel Area, British nationals may live, work, study, and stay in the country for an extended period of time without a visa.

THE FUTURE OF POST-BREXIT UK-EU RELATIONS

Although the UK is no longer a member of the EU, it maintains ties with the group through signing many bilateral trade treaties with foreign nations. Some of the uncertainty around Brexit has been alleviated by the announcement of a free trade agreement in December 2020.

The ETIAS enables visa-free travel for UK people, and until it is implemented, British citizens can travel to Schengen member countries for short-term visits using just their passport.

The latest accords have also permitted the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar to join the Schengen Area, allowing the 2.6 square-mile rock’s population to be less isolated. As a result, it will be allowed to enter Spain from Gibraltar without an ETIAS, however Brits entering Gibraltar may need one.