US citizens will require entry approval to Europe from 2024: EU website
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New York: Now on like travellers from 60 visa-exempt countries about to face restrictions, US citizens will also require entry approval ahead of their trips to Europe starting from 2024, says the official travel site of the European Union.
Visitors will have to pay about $8 to apply for European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) approval for entry.
US citizens currently enjoy visa-free entry to 27 member countries of Europe's Schengen Zone.
The new travel authorization program aims at protecting its borders in the event of mounting terrors in Europe.
As the systems is set to change over a few months, visitors from more than 60 countries that are currently enjoying visa-exemption will not able to access Europe unrestrictedly.
‘The rules of travel to Europe have changed. Starting from 2024, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries,’ the communique said.
As with the changes in system, U.S. citizens will need to register with ETIAS or risk being stopped and turned away at the border.
Authorization is valid up to three years or the visitor’s passport expires, and it further said the applications mostly will be processed within minutes; however, some may take longer period.
In the event of requiring additional information, it will be communicated to the applicant within four days to up to 14 days.
US citizens have visa-free entry to 184 global destinations, says the Henley Passport Index.