Travel News
European visa waiver: when must I apply for an Etias and how will travel from the UK work? - INDEPENDENT
BY Simon Calder
When will British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area need to apply in advance for an online permit? The short answer is: not before 2027.
EU officials had originally confirmed that the much delayed “entry-exit system” would take effect on 10 November 2024.
From that date, it was thought that every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area would need to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland, in the European Union but outside Schengen.)
But the deadline was missed. Now the European Union says EES will start to be rolled out from 12 October 2025 with completion by 9 April 2026.
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The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) can only function once the Entry/Exit System is fully working.
It is due to launch six months after that. The EU says Etias will launch in the final quarter of 2026 – some time from October to December.
But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional. So you will not need one before April 2027 at the earliest.
What is Etias?
British travellers and those from all other “third-country visa-free nationals” (as the UK chose to become after Brexit) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival – and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out.
Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme. It will cost €20 (£17) and is valid for three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first.
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“UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period),” says the EU.
“Its key function is to verify if a third-country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen Area.”
The zone covers almost all of the EU (apart from Ireland) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
When will I need one?
Here is the timeline of the essential roll-out:
12 October 2025: EU Entry/Exit System starts across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of people crossing the border in or out of the Schengen Area. But the biometric elements – face and fingerprints – will not be mandatory for the first 60 days; it may be that some states do this anyway. Passports continue to be stamped.
December 2025: Biometrics become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES.
January 2026: By now, “member states should operate the Entry/Exit System – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points”. In other words, a majority of visitors are likely to experience “double red tape”: providing EES biometrics but continuing to have passports stamped as well.
9 April 2026: Roll-out of Entry/Exit System should be complete. Only when the EES is running flawlessly across Europe will passports stop being stamped.
October 2026 (or later): Etias may finally come into play.
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The EU says: “Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.”
But “required” is not exactly correct. It will be only on a voluntary basis initially. The European Union says the launch of Etias will be followed by “a transitional period of at least six months”.
The EU says: “For travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their Etias travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.”
Those conditions are basically the existing requirements for passport validity:
Issued no more than 10 years earlier on the day of entry to the European Union.
Valid for at least three months on the intended day of departure from the EU.
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The earliest, therefore, that any British traveller or other “third-country national” will need an Etias is April 2027.
Once the “transitional period” is over, a further “grace period” of at least six months will apply on a one-time only basis to British travellers who turn up without an Etias.
The European Union says: “There is an exception: only those coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an Etias provided they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.
“All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an Etias travel authorisation.”
The grace period will last at least six months.
How will I apply for an Etias?
At the heart of the system is an Etias website. An app will follow (any apps that currently purport to be official EU Etias apps are imposters).
Travellers will be required to submit personal information including name, address, contact details in Europe and passport data. They must also state an occupation (with job title and employer). Students must give the name of their educational establishment.
The applicant must give details of any serious convictions in the past 20 years.
Travellers must also provide the reason for their journey (holiday, business, visiting family, etc), specify the Schengen Area country they will first arrive in, and provide the address of their first night’s stay – which will pose a problem for tourists who like to make plans as they go along.
It is likely that for subsequent journeys the traveller will not be expected to update the information. My understanding is that information on where you are going and staying, and the reason for your trip. is needed only at the application stage. The form should be completed with reference to your first journey.
As with the US Esta, after you have been admitted once and returned home you should be able to enter again without updating such information online.
The fee is €20 (£17) for all applicants aged 18 to 70. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, they need not pay.
What happens to the information?
Every application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as “a dedicated Etias watch-list”.
The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.
In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?
Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above offences, but in fact have led a blameless life, you will be allowed to argue your case. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection.
How far in advance must I apply?
The aim is for an Etias to be granted in most circumstances within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days.
If an application is flagged (ie there is a “hit” with one of the databases) the prospective visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked “to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days”.
The European Union says: “We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.”
If I get an Etias, must I print anything out?
No. The frontier guard will get all the information they need from the passport you used to apply for your Etias.
Will my Etias be checked before departure to the EU?
Yes. Most British travellers to Europe will have their Etias status checked by the airline, as currently happens with travel to the US (Esta), Canada (eTA) and many other countries.
Airlines are obliged to ensure passenger comply with the immigration rules of the destination. A couple of them made a complete mess of it when the post-Brexit passport regime took effect, and invented their own rules.
To try to avoid a repeat, I have written to the airlines’ representative body to try to ensure that they are fully aware of the “optional” nature of Etias during the transitional and grace periods before it becomes mandatory.
Is Etias a visa?
This answer to this common question depends on your interpretation of semantics. Officially, it is exactly the opposite of a visa. Europe says that Etias is “a pre-travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers”. It is a similar concept to the UK ETA, the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas.
But Etias requires visitors to:
Apply in advance
Provide substantial personal information
Pay money
Be issued with a permit to cross a border.
So I contend it amounts to a normal person’s understanding of a visa.
Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area?
No. “Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry,” says the EU.
“All travellers arriving at the border are still subject to border checks and border guards will refuse entry to those who do not meet the entry conditions.”
As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason, with the Etias permission rescinded.
Must I apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe?
No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport reaches three months before expiry, whichever is the earlier. (Note also that British passports must not be over 10 years old on the day of entry to the European Union.)
Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?
No. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, and the Common Travel Area – incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands – transcends European Union rules.
If I have a visa for study or work, or a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias?
No.
How are people without internet access supposed to apply?
They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes.
Just remind us about the 90/180 day rule?
This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days.
As an example of what it means: if you were to spend the first 90 days of 2025 (January, February and almost all of March) in the Schengen area, you would not be able to return until late June.
Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?
No. Work on strengthening the European Union’s external border was already under way before the UK referendum on membership in June 2016. Initially British officials participated in plans for the entry-exit system.
Neither the EES nor Etias would be relevant if the UK was still in the EU. But the nation voted to leave the European Union and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be classified as third-country nationals – triggering extra red tape.
Will Etias be the next online scam?
Yes. As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed.
But according to Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which is implementing Etias – there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic €20 (£17).
Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted. One “imposter” site claims to have processed 671 applications already; this is impossible since no applications have been processed anywhere.
Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.
Frontex also warns about the risk of identity theft if personal information is provided to imposter sites.
What is Etias and why will I need to apply for one when travelling to the EU? - INDEPENDENT
Story by
When will British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area need to apply in advance for an online permit? The short answer is: not before 2027.
EU officials had originally confirmed that the much delayed “entry-exit system” would take effect on 10 November 2024.
From that date, it was thought that every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area would need to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland, in the European Union but outside Schengen.)
But the deadline was missed. Now the European Union says EES will start to be rolled out from 12 October 2025 with completion by 9 April 2026.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) can only function once the Entry/Exit System is fully working.
It is due to launch six months after that. The EU says Etias will launch in the final quarter of 2026 – some time from October to December.
But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional. So you will not need one before April 2027 at the earliest.
What is Etias?
British travellers and those from all other “third-country visa-free nationals” (as the UK chose to become after Brexit) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival – and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out.
Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme. It will cost €20 (£17) and is valid for three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first.
“UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period),” says the EU.
“Its key function is to verify if a third-country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen Area.”
The zone covers almost all of the EU (apart from Ireland) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
When will I need one?
Here is the timeline of the essential roll-out:
- 12 October 2025: EU Entry/Exit System starts across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of people crossing the border in or out of the Schengen Area. But the biometric elements – face and fingerprints – will not be mandatory for the first 60 days; it may be that some states do this anyway. Passports continue to be stamped.
- December 2025: Biometrics become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES.
- January 2026: By now, “member states should operate the Entry/Exit System – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points”. In other words, a majority of visitors are likely to experience “double red tape”: providing EES biometrics but continuing to have passports stamped as well.
- 9 April 2026: Roll-out of Entry/Exit System should be complete. Only when the EES is running flawlessly across Europe will passports stop being stamped.
- October 2026 (or later): Etias may finally come into play.
The EU says: “Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.”
But “required” is not exactly correct. It will be only on a voluntary basis initially. The European Union says the launch of Etias will be followed by “a transitional period of at least six months”.
The EU says: “For travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their Etias travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.”
Those conditions are basically the existing requirements for passport validity:
- Issued no more than 10 years earlier on the day of entry to the European Union.
- Valid for at least three months on the intended day of departure from the EU.
The earliest, therefore, that any British traveller or other “third-country national” will need an Etias is April 2027.
Once the “transitional period” is over, a further “grace period” of at least six months will apply on a one-time only basis to British travellers who turn up without an Etias.
The European Union says: “There is an exception: only those coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an Etias provided they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.
“All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an Etias travel authorisation.”
The grace period will last at least six months.
How will I apply for an Etias?
At the heart of the system is an Etias website. An app will follow (any apps that currently purport to be official EU Etias apps are imposters).
Travellers will be required to submit personal information including name, address, contact details in Europe and passport data. They must also state an occupation (with job title and employer). Students must give the name of their educational establishment.
The applicant must give details of any serious convictions in the past 20 years.
Travellers must also provide the reason for their journey (holiday, business, visiting family, etc), specify the Schengen Area country they will first arrive in, and provide the address of their first night’s stay – which will pose a problem for tourists who like to make plans as they go along.
It is likely that for subsequent journeys the traveller will not be expected to update the information. My understanding is that information on where you are going and staying, and the reason for your trip. is needed only at the application stage. The form should be completed with reference to your first journey.
As with the US Esta, after you have been admitted once and returned home you should be able to enter again without updating such information online.
The fee is €20 (£17) for all applicants aged 18 to 70. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, they need not pay.
What happens to the information?
Every application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as “a dedicated Etias watch-list”.
The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.
In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?
Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above offences, but in fact have led a blameless life, you will be allowed to argue your case. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection.
How far in advance must I apply?
The aim is for an Etias to be granted in most circumstances within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days.
If an application is flagged (ie there is a “hit” with one of the databases) the prospective visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked “to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days”.
The European Union says: “We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.”
If I get an Etias, must I print anything out?
No. The frontier guard will get all the information they need from the passport you used to apply for your Etias.
Will my Etias be checked before departure to the EU?
Yes. Most British travellers to Europe will have their Etias status checked by the airline, as currently happens with travel to the US (Esta), Canada (eTA) and many other countries.
Airlines are obliged to ensure passenger comply with the immigration rules of the destination. A couple of them made a complete mess of it when the post-Brexit passport regime took effect, and invented their own rules.
To try to avoid a repeat, I have written to the airlines’ representative body to try to ensure that they are fully aware of the “optional” nature of Etias during the transitional and grace periods before it becomes mandatory.
Is Etias a visa?
This answer to this common question depends on your interpretation of semantics. Officially, it is exactly the opposite of a visa. Europe says that Etias is “a pre-travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers”. It is a similar concept to the UK ETA, the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas.
But Etias requires visitors to:
- Apply in advance
- Provide substantial personal information
- Pay money
- Be issued with a permit to cross a border.
So I contend it amounts to a normal person’s understanding of a visa.
Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area?
No. “Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry,” says the EU.
“All travellers arriving at the border are still subject to border checks and border guards will refuse entry to those who do not meet the entry conditions.”
As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason, with the Etias permission rescinded.
Must I apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe?
No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport reaches three months before expiry, whichever is the earlier. (Note also that British passports must not be over 10 years old on the day of entry to the European Union.)
Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?
No. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, and the Common Travel Area – incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands – transcends European Union rules.
If I have a visa for study or work, or a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias?
No.
How are people without internet access supposed to apply?
They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes.
Just remind us about the 90/180 day rule?
This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days.
As an example of what it means: if you were to spend the first 90 days of 2025 (January, February and almost all of March) in the Schengen area, you would not be able to return until late June.
Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?
No. Work on strengthening the European Union’s external border was already under way before the UK referendum on membership in June 2016. Initially British officials participated in plans for the entry-exit system.
Neither the EES nor Etias would be relevant if the UK was still in the EU. But the nation voted to leave the European Union and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be classified as third-country nationals – triggering extra red tape.
Will Etias be the next online scam?
Yes. As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed.
But according to Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which is implementing Etias – there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic €20 (£17).
Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted. One “imposter” site claims to have processed 671 applications already; this is impossible since no applications have been processed anywhere.
Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.
US warns citizens to reconsider visiting Nigeria, cites insecurity, poor healthcare, others - ICIR
THE United States (US) government has warned its citizens against visiting Nigeria over the increasing rates of kidnapping, terrorism, armed gangs, and poor healthcare, among others.
The US disclosed this in a fresh travel advisory to its citizens.
The ICIR reports that the warning is coming from the US for the second time in one month.
It issued the advisory as part of its security review to help travellers assess risks when visiting Africa, highlighting certain countries as high-risk areas.
The advisory highlights 12 high-risk African countries, namely Nigeria, Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, DRC, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad.
The US ranks countries into four risk levels, with Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”) being the highest risk and Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) indicating serious risk.
In a statement by the US Mission in Nigeria, posted on its website, the US cautioned its citizens to reconsider any planned trip to Nigeria, stating that all locations carry a “significant security risk.”
The US advised its citizens to completely avoid 18 states in Nigeria due to high risk, while travel to other states should be made with caution.
The US advised its citizens to avoid specific Nigerian states due to various security concerns, including terrorism, kidnapping, and crime, in states such as Borno, Yobe, Kogi, Adamawa, Bauchi Gombe, Kaduna, and others.
Speaking about insecurity in Nigeria, the US said, “Violent crime is common in the country. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.
New visa-free travel for Indian passport holders in 2025: Complete list of 59 destinations -
Dubai: Indian passport holders can now travel to 59 countries without needing a visa in advance, according to the Henley Passport Index July 2025 update. This includes destinations offering visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorisation (ETA) entry.
Countries across Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean have opened up more to Indian travellers. Popular spots such as Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, Mauritius, and Indonesia are now visa-free or offer visa-on-arrival access.
This growing ease of travel reflects the increasing recognition of Indian tourists worldwide and efforts to simplify entry requirements. However, travellers are advised to check individual country rules, including permitted stay durations and any health or COVID documentation, on official websites before planning their trips.
India’s rising passport strength
India has climbed to the 77th position on the Henley Passport Index, up from 80th in 2024 and 85th the year before. It now shares this rank with Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal — all granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations.
How India compares globally
While India has made steady progress, Singapore leads the 2025 rankings, offering visa-free access to 194 destinations. It is followed by Japan and South Korea with 190 destinations, while several European countries, including Germany, Italy, and France, hold close at 189.
The UAE has been one of the biggest risers, jumping 34 places over the past decade — from 42nd to 8th — and becoming the only major country to enter the global top 10.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has also improved modestly, climbing from 101st in 2024 to 96th place in 2025.
Where can Indians travel without a visa in 2025?
The 59 destinations fall into three categories:
Visa-free – enter without applying for a visa
Visa-on-arrival (VoA) – visa issued at entry
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) – apply online for short-term entry
Visa-free countries for Indian passport holders
Angola
Barbados
Bhutan
British Virgin Islands
Cook Islands
Dominica
Fiji
Grenada
Haiti
Iran
Jamaica
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Macao
Madagascar
Malaysia
Mauritius
Micronesia
Montserrat
Nepal
Niue
Philippines
Rwanda
Senegal
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Vanuatu
Visa-on-arrival countries
Bolivia
Burundi
Cambodia
Cape Verde Islands
Comoros Islands
Djibouti
Ethiopia
Guinea-Bissau
Indonesia
Jordan
Laos
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mongolia
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Palau Islands
Qatar
Samoa
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sri Lanka
St. Lucia
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Tuvalu
Zimbabwe
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)
Seychelles
What’s the difference: Visa-free vs Visa-on-arrival?
Visa-free: No prior paperwork — just pack your bags and travel. Most countries set a maximum stay (e.g., 14, 30, or 90 days) and require a return ticket and proof of accommodation.
Visa-on-arrival: Get your visa at the airport after arrival.
Usually involves:
Filling a form
Showing passport, return ticket, hotel booking
Paying a fee (varies by country)
ETA: A simplified, online process before travel. You receive a digital travel authorisation instead of a traditional visa.
Important travel tips for Indian passport holders
Always check the official embassy website of the destination country.
Requirements like passport validity, return ticket, or travel insurance may still apply.
Entry conditions can change rapidly due to geopolitical or health concerns.
Planning your next trip?
With more doors open than ever, Indian travellers can now explore the world more freely. Whether you're dreaming of pristine beaches, cultural escapes, or business travel — 2025 brings fewer visa hurdles and more travel possibilities.
‘We’re looking forward to first flight’ — Heathrow congratulates Air Peace on expansion of UK operations - THE CABLE
Heathrow Airport has congratulated Air Peace on the expansion of its operations in the United Kingdom (UK).
On July 20, Air Peace said it would begin direct flights from Abuja airport to Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London, UK, from October 26.
The airline said the move would will give Nigerians more flight options.
Welcoming the development in a post on X on Saturday, Heathrow said Air Peace will commence operations on October 26, with a three-weekly service connecting London Heathrow to Lagos.
“Heathrow is proud to welcome Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace to Terminal 3,” the post reads.
“Starting 26 October 2025, a new 3-weekly service will connect London Heathrow directly with Abuja, offering seamless access to West Africa and world-class service aboard a Boeing 777.
“Congratulations to Air Peace on expanding its UK operations. We look forward to welcoming its first flight.”
The milestone marks the expansion of Air Peace’s international footprint and comes more than a year after the airline launched its Lagos-London service.
On March 30, 2024, the airline began direct flight operations from Lagos to Gatwick Airport in London.
Air Peace also operates flights to regional destinations in West and Central Africa, as well as international routes to China, India, South Africa, and the UAE.
What is Etias and why will I need to apply for one when travelling to the EU? - THE INDEPENDENT
Story by
When will British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area need to apply in advance for an online permit? The short answer is: not before 2027.
EU officials had originally confirmed that the much delayed “entry-exit system” would take effect on 10 November 2024.
From that date, it was thought that every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area would need to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland, in the European Union but outside Schengen.)
But the deadline was missed. Now the European Union says EES will start to be rolled out from 12 October 2025 with completion by 9 April 2026.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) can only function once the Entry/Exit System is fully working.
It is due to launch six months after that. The EU says Etias will launch in the final quarter of 2026 – some time from October to December.
But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional. So you will not need one before April 2027 at the earliest.
What is Etias?
British travellers and those from all other “third-country visa-free nationals” (as the UK chose to become after Brexit) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival – and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out.
Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme. It will cost €20 (£17) and is valid for three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first.
“UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period),” says the EU.
“Its key function is to verify if a third-country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen Area.”
The zone covers almost all of the EU (apart from Ireland) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
When will I need one?
Here is the timeline of the essential roll-out:
- 12 October 2025: EU Entry/Exit System starts across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of people crossing the border in or out of the Schengen Area. But the biometric elements – face and fingerprints – will not be mandatory for the first 60 days; it may be that some states do this anyway. Passports continue to be stamped.
- December 2025: Biometrics become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES.
- January 2026: By now, “member states should operate the Entry/Exit System – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points”. In other words, a majority of visitors are likely to experience “double red tape”: providing EES biometrics but continuing to have passports stamped as well.
- 9 April 2026: Roll-out of Entry/Exit System should be complete. Only when the EES is running flawlessly across Europe will passports stop being stamped.
- October 2026 (or later): Etias may finally come into play.
The EU says: “Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.”
But “required” is not exactly correct. It will be only on a voluntary basis initially. The European Union says the launch of Etias will be followed by “a transitional period of at least six months”.
The EU says: “For travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their Etias travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.”
Those conditions are basically the existing requirements for passport validity:
- Issued no more than 10 years earlier on the day of entry to the European Union.
- Valid for at least three months on the intended day of departure from the EU.
The earliest, therefore, that any British traveller or other “third-country national” will need an Etias is April 2027.
Once the “transitional period” is over, a further “grace period” of at least six months will apply on a one-time only basis to British travellers who turn up without an Etias.
The European Union says: “There is an exception: only those coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an Etias provided they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.
“All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an Etias travel authorisation.”
The grace period will last at least six months.
How will I apply for an Etias?
At the heart of the system is an Etias website. An app will follow (any apps that currently purport to be official EU Etias apps are imposters).
Travellers will be required to submit personal information including name, address, contact details in Europe and passport data. They must also state an occupation (with job title and employer). Students must give the name of their educational establishment.
The applicant must give details of any serious convictions in the past 20 years.
Travellers must also provide the reason for their journey (holiday, business, visiting family, etc), specify the Schengen Area country they will first arrive in, and provide the address of their first night’s stay – which will pose a problem for tourists who like to make plans as they go along.
It is likely that for subsequent journeys the traveller will not be expected to update the information. My understanding is that information on where you are going and staying, and the reason for your trip. is needed only at the application stage. The form should be completed with reference to your first journey.
As with the US Esta, after you have been admitted once and returned home you should be able to enter again without updating such information online.
The fee is €20 (£17) for all applicants aged 18 to 70. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, they need not pay.
What happens to the information?
Every application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as “a dedicated Etias watch-list”.
The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.
In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?
Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above offences, but in fact have led a blameless life, you will be allowed to argue your case. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection.
How far in advance must I apply?
The aim is for an Etias to be granted in most circumstances within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days.
If an application is flagged (ie there is a “hit” with one of the databases) the prospective visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked “to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days”.
The European Union says: “We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.”
If I get an Etias, must I print anything out?
No. The frontier guard will get all the information they need from the passport you used to apply for your Etias.
Will my Etias be checked before departure to the EU?
Yes. Most British travellers to Europe will have their Etias status checked by the airline, as currently happens with travel to the US (Esta), Canada (eTA) and many other countries.
Airlines are obliged to ensure passenger comply with the immigration rules of the destination. A couple of them made a complete mess of it when the post-Brexit passport regime took effect, and invented their own rules.
To try to avoid a repeat, I have written to the airlines’ representative body to try to ensure that they are fully aware of the “optional” nature of Etias during the transitional and grace periods before it becomes mandatory.
Is Etias a visa?
This answer to this common question depends on your interpretation of semantics. Officially, it is exactly the opposite of a visa. Europe says that Etias is “a pre-travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers”. It is a similar concept to the UK ETA, the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas.
But Etias requires visitors to:
- Apply in advance
- Provide substantial personal information
- Pay money
- Be issued with a permit to cross a border.
So I contend it amounts to a normal person’s understanding of a visa.
Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area?
No. “Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry,” says the EU.
“All travellers arriving at the border are still subject to border checks and border guards will refuse entry to those who do not meet the entry conditions.”
As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason, with the Etias permission rescinded.
Must I apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe?
No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport reaches three months before expiry, whichever is the earlier. (Note also that British passports must not be over 10 years old on the day of entry to the European Union.)
Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?
No. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, and the Common Travel Area – incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands – transcends European Union rules.
If I have a visa for study or work, or a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias?
No.
How are people without internet access supposed to apply?
They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes.
Just remind us about the 90/180 day rule?
This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days.
As an example of what it means: if you were to spend the first 90 days of 2025 (January, February and almost all of March) in the Schengen area, you would not be able to return until late June.
Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?
No. Work on strengthening the European Union’s external border was already under way before the UK referendum on membership in June 2016. Initially British officials participated in plans for the entry-exit system.
Neither the EES nor Etias would be relevant if the UK was still in the EU. But the nation voted to leave the European Union and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be classified as third-country nationals – triggering extra red tape.
Will Etias be the next online scam?
Yes. As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed.
But according to Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which is implementing Etias – there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic €20 (£17).
Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted. One “imposter” site claims to have processed 671 applications already; this is impossible since no applications have been processed anywhere.
Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.
Frontex also warns about the risk of identity theft if personal information is provided to imposter sites.
Air Canada flight attendants start voting on strike mandate - THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — Air Canada flight attendants start voting today on whether to give a strike mandate to their union.
The vote, running through to Aug. 5, comes after the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees concluded the conciliation process with no deal reached.
The union represents more than 10,000 flight attendants who have been in contract talks since the start of the year.
The union's bargaining committee told members it was seeking a strike mandate to fight for an industry-leading contract through collective power.
"This is where our strength lies and this is how we will show the company that we are united, serious, and will accept nothing less than the contract we deserve," it said in a message to members.
Air Canada acknowledged the vote, saying it was a normal step in the negotiation process and does not mean a disruption will happen.
It noted that a strike can't take place until after a 21-day cooling-off period after the 60-day conciliation period has expired, and in the meantime continues to work toward a deal.
"Air Canada is committed to the bargaining process and remains fully available to continue negotiations towards a fair and equitable collective agreement with CUPE that recognizes the contributions of its Flight Attendants and supports the competitiveness and long-term growth of the company," it said in a July 25 statement posted on its website.
The union says that despite sustained efforts, including in the conciliation process with a federally-appointed mediator, key issues such as pay, unpaid work and pensions remain unresolved.
Last October, Air Canada's 5,400 pilots voted in favour of a contract that will see them receive a nearly 42 per cent cumulative wage increase over four years.
Pilots had voted overwhelmingly in support of a strike mandate, but a shutdown was avoided after their union reached a deal with the airline just before the cooling-off period ended.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025.
Companies in this story: (TSX:AC)
The Canadian Press
Nigerians lead the world in fashion visas for Britain - THE TELEGRAPH
Story by
More Nigerians have been granted British visas for their expertise in fashion than people from any other country, Telegraph analysis of official data shows.
Nigerians have applied for by far the highest number of global talent visas that offer entry to the UK for fashion designers, as well as being granted the most approvals.
The British Fashion Council – a not-for-profit company – has been given powers to endorse applications on behalf of the Home Office, which then has the final sign-off on granting the visas.
The council receives about £2 million each year from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to promote British fashion.
Nigerian expertise in fashion has seen the country lead the way in being granted British visas - Sunday Alamba/AP
The organisation has actively sought to increase ethnic diversity in the fashion industry, particularly in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.
From 2019 to 2024, there have been 291 Nigerian applications for fashion visas, far more than any other country. The second highest number were from Chinese designers, who submitted 67 applications.
The number of fashion applications from Nigeria has risen from just three in 2019 to 145 in 2024.
In the same time period, 71 Nigerian applications have been endorsed by the Fashion Council – more than any other nationality.
Word of the visa route has spread online, and The Telegraph has seen numerous videos on social media featuring Nigerian designers offering advice on how to enter the UK on the global talent fashion visa.
One advises viewers who “are looking to stay put” in the UK: “Don’t limit yourself to the post-study work permit, there are so many options.”
So popular is Nigerian fashion there were 145 visa applications for the sector in 2024 - Sunday Alamba/PA
The visa route has a number of criteria for applicants, who are tasked with proving their talent or YouTube promise. This includes providing proof of sales and “international media attention”.
Some designers offering advice online have found that criteria for this media attention can be met by local newspaper stories from their home country. One said they simply shared a screenshot of a blog that mentioned their work.
Another said that they used discussions on Instagram in their application to prove sales had been made.
The increase in application for the global talent fashion visa comes amid a growing interest in African designers.
In 2022-23, the Victoria and Albert Museum hosted a popular exhibition titled African Fashion.
Naomi Campbell
The Arise Fashion Week in Lagos has been running for 13 years, and the showcase of African fashion has been endorsed by British supermodel and designer Naomi Campbell.
There has also been a broader surge in applications for talent visas from Nigeria.
The Telegraph previously revealed that people in Nigeria have made the most applications for entry to the UK via the global talent visa route for “literature”, which covers professed “poets” and oral “storytellers”
Since 2019, Nigerians have made 729 across artistic global talent categories – dance, fashion, music, film and TV, theatre, combined arts and visual arts – second only to the US, with 977.
Despite the volume of applications, Nigerians have just 59 per cent of them endorsed – the lowest of any country apart from Ghana.
Since 2019, more than 5,000 applications have been made by all nationalities, with 3,600 endorsed by the Arts Council.
The Home Office does not break down figures on how many of these endorsements then lead to visas being signed off by Whitehall officials.
Nigerian Students abroad Can Now Pay Tuition Fees with Naira Cards - DAILY TRUST
By Seun Adeuyi
ng to pay international tuition fees can now do so directly from their naira accounts, with processing completed in as little as four days, following renewed liquidity in the foreign exchange market.
This development comes as Nigerian banks announce the availability of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Form A platform, which allows individuals to pay for eligible services including educational fees, medical bills, and training courses using the official foreign exchange window.
In an email to its customers on Monday, Guaranty Trust Bank GTBank confirmed that both undergraduate and postgraduate tuition payments abroad can now be made through naira accounts using the Form A process.
Pay international tuition fees directly from your naira account, the bank stated, adding that applications must be submitted via the Trade System Portal at www.tradesystem.gov.ng
GTBank advised customers to select Form A for Educational Fees, choose the bank as the processing institution, upload the required documents, and submit.
Similarly, Lotus Bank issued a notice informing its customers of the same facility, highlighting that the process was never suspended but previously experienced reduced demand due to foreign exchange scarcity and policy uncertainty.
The process has always been available, but due to a lack of funds, many people could not access it. Now, with improved liquidity, people are returning, a Lotus Bank official explained.
The official further stated that the timeframe for processing educational payments has significantly reduced due to improved availability of foreign exchange.
Once instructions are sent, the treasury team sources the dollar in T plus 2 two business days. For example, if instructions are sent on Monday, the account is debited by Thursday and the school receives the funds by Friday, the official added.
To complete the payment process, applicants are expected to provide a valid admission letter, school invoice, international passport, written instructions to debit their account and remit payment, tax clearance certificate, and completed Form A.
This marks a major improvement from 2022 when Nigerian banks required up to 120 days to process international school fees due to severe foreign exchange shortages.
The announcement comes just one month after commercial banks resumed international transactions on naira cards, signalling increased foreign exchange stability and expanding access for Nigerians seeking to study abroad.
Air traffic control glitch was caused by radar problem - THE INDEPENDENT
Story by
A “radar-related issue” caused the air traffic control (ATC) failure that grounded flights across the UK on Wednesday, officials have said.
Nats chief executive Martin Rolfe was summoned to speak with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander on Thursday morning, a day after thousands of passengers were disrupted by the technical problem which forced the cancellation of more than 150 flights.
Airlines are demanding an explanation for what happened.
A spokesperson for Nats said: “This was a radar-related issue which was resolved by quickly switching to the back-up system during which time we reduced traffic to ensure safety.
“There is no evidence that this was cyber related.”
The PA news agency understands that the back-up system continues to be used by controllers while investigations continue.
Ms Alexander said: “I have spoken with Nats CEO Martin Rolfe who provided further detail on yesterday’s technical fault.
“This was an isolated event and there is no evidence of malign activity.
“I will continue to receive regular updates.”
The problem happened at Nats’ control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire, and affected the vast majority of England and Wales.
A Government source said the failure lasted around 20 minutes, and the level of disruption was similar to a day with bad weather.
More than 700,000 passengers suffered disruption when flights were grounded at UK airports in August 2023 when Nats suffered a technical glitch while processing a flight plan.
Aviation analytics company Cirium said 84 departures and 71 arrivals were cancelled to or from UK airports up to 10pm on Wednesday.
Several flights were diverted to other European airports.
There was limited disruption on Thursday, with a handful of British Airways flights cancelled because aircraft and crew were out of position.
Heathrow and Gatwick airports said they had resumed normal operations.
Heidi Alexander (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)
Affected passengers are unlikely to be entitled to compensation as the disruption was outside of airlines’ control.
But they will be able to claim for expenses such as a reasonable amount of food and drink, a means to communicate and overnight accommodation if required.
Ryanair called on Mr Rolfe to resign, claiming “no lessons have been learnt” since the August 2023 outage.
The airline’s chief operating officer Neal McMahon said: “It is outrageous that passengers are once again being hit with delays and disruption due to Martin Rolfe’s continued mismanagement of Nats.”
Business minister Gareth Thomas was asked whether Mr Rolfe will be “fired” over the incident.
He told Times Radio: “We are summoning – the Transport Secretary is summoning – in today the chief executive of of Nats to help us get to the bottom of what went wrong yesterday.
“Clearly, an incident happened two years ago and measures were taken then.
“It looks like those measures weren’t enough but we need to get to the bottom of what exactly happened, and conversations will take place today.”
A former industry chief said it is “unrealistic” to expect an air traffic management system with no technical failure.
Graham Lake, former director-general of air traffic management industry association Canso, told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If you look at the minutes of outage over a period of years, your availability – system availability – is, frankly, very, very good. So I think it’s unrealistic to expect a system where you have no technical failure.
“The failure yesterday was short and sweet, if you like, the recovery was quick – aircraft were operating again very, very quickly.”
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