Visas: Everything to Know About Getting One

While in the past you haven’t had to have a visa to travel to the United Kingdom or the European Union, that will all be changing soon.

There are new travel entry requirements for the European Union and the United Kingdom. We’ll be going over some of the new requirements.

Firstly, you can find more information about everything on the U.S Department of State Website. This should be your first "go to" site for all things related to travel. They have a special travelers section and it lists the requirements for each traveler for your specific countries. For example some countries require at least 4 blank pages in your passport book. Almost all countries require that your passport not expire within 6 months of your return date. It is each traveler's responsibility to make sure that they have researched and understand the passport and visa requirements.

Traveling to the United Kingdom:

When traveling to or through the UK you will need to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA.

The United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization (UK ETA) is a travel authorization issued by the British government to nationals of countries who are exempt from obtaining a UK visa. It is mandatory to apply for and obtain this authorization before traveling to or through the United Kingdom, and it is designed for visits, transit, or Creative Workers under certain conditions.

It cost 10 GPB to apply. Click Here to be linked to the website for more information. You will need to download an app to your smart phone.

This electronic authorization is a streamlined option for eligible individuals and is a key part of the government’s effort to digitize border control by 2025. The UK ETA facilitates various travel purposes, including tourism, family visits, business, and short-term study, offering an efficient alternative to the traditional visa process.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorization is not a visa, but a special entry authorization for nationals from specific visa-exempt countries. Unlike the standard visitor visa, which is required for a wide range of nationalities and typically involves a detailed application process, including offline steps, the ETA offers an efficient, entirely online application method.

The ETA United Kingdom remains valid for up to two years or until the passport it’s linked to expires, allowing for multiple entries into the UK for stays of up to six months each. In contrast, the standard visitor visa is tailored to various durations based on the visa type and typically permits multiple entries. Notably, the ETA is cost-effective compared to the diverse fees required for different types of visitor visas.

Traveling to the European Union:

Supposed to Go Live Mid to late 2025

An ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is an electronic screening system for passport holders granted visa-free access to the European Union (EU) and Schengen Area. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorization. 

To apply for an ETIAS, you can fill out the application form using either this official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. You will need a valid travel document (Passport) to which a visa may be affixed electronically.

Your travel document should not expire in less than 6 months and it should not be older than 10 years.

When filling out the application, you will be asked to provide the following information:

• Personal information including your name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address and phone number
• Travel document details (Passport)
• Details about your level of education and current occupation
• Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS
• Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country

Applying for the ETIAS travel authorization costs $7, though some travelers are exempt from paying this fee. Applicants who are under 18 or above 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union.

This process has been delayed for two years. Make sure that this program is up and running before you apply for it.

The countries that will require an ETIAS are listed below:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Have any other questions? You can view some FAQ’s.

Safe and happy travels!