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Restrictions Placed on Schengen Area Travel

Posted in Blog, News, Travelling, Visa | Tagged , , ,

New restrictions on travel through the Schengen area have been approved to take place. The European Parliament approved the implementation of ETIAS, or European Travel Information and Authorization System, earlier this month. The new system, modelled after the United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), requires adults from countries exempt from the visa requirement to visit Schengen countries must register online before travelling.

The Schengen area was originally created to allow citizens of participating countries the ability to travel freely between the countries. There are 26 Schengen countries in Europe and 62 non-Schengen area countries that are entitled to visa-free travel for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The idea for more restrictions on these borders was first proposed in November 2016 following the 2015 Paris attacks, the system was given initial approval in April of 2018 and is expected to be operational by the end of 2021.

This new system would not require travellers to obtain a visa, but rather request an authorization application through the platform prior to visiting other countries. The application is expected to cost €7. This registration would allow for more oversight into the movements of those entering and exiting this area and is hoped to cut down on cross-border crime.

Table: nationalities for which no visa is required for travel to the Schengen countries.

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Dominica
  • El Salvador
  • Georgia
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Kiribati
  • Macao
  • Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Palau
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Servie
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Timor Leste
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tuvalu
  • Ukraine
  • United Arabic Emirates
  • United States of America
  • Uruguay
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • San Marino
  • Servie
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Timor Leste
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tuvalu
  • Ukraine
  • United Arabic Emirates
  • United States of America
  • Uruguay
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela

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