Visas and Borders
Last reviewed 27 September 2023
Recent news
27 September 2023 | The European Commission has published latest official ETIAS information pack (Sept 23). This is partly in an effort to combat widespread misinformation online. It is widely assumed that ETIAS introduction will not begin until 2025, but official confirmation is not expected until mid-October following a meeting of the European Council.
18 September 2023 | UK Government has announced the start date of 4 October 2023 from when the increase in visitor and work visa fees (as announced in July) are set to come into effect. As a result, the cost of a UK standard visitor visa will generally be £115 per person. Further information can be found in Ireland and UK section below.
10 August 2023 | All countries within the Schengen Area plus non-Schengen Area EU member states and the UK have been re-added to the Approved Destination Status list for outbound group tours by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Announcement on first batch, second batch and third batch of approved countries.
1 August 2023 |The European Commission has published July/August update on ETIAS.
25 July 2023 | Documents accepted published by UK Government for non-British/non-Irish nationals resident in Ireland to be exempt from ETA requirement, when arriving into the UK from within the Common Travel Area.
24 July 2023 | E-gates can now be used entering the UK by children aged 10 and 11 accompanied by an adult. There is no change to the nationalities who can use e-gates. Further information on e-gates here.
13 July 2023 | UK Government has announced that visitor and work visa fees are to increase by 15%, though has not yet given a date. Information on current UK visa fees can be found below.
13 June 2023 | European Council and Parliament agree main elements to digitalise both the Schengen visa and its application platform. Further information below.
9 June 2023 | Further to European Council Justice and Home Affairs meeting on 8 June, new timeline for EES and ETIAS to be agreed at the Council meeting on 19-20 October 2023.
7 June 2023 | The fee for UK ETA has been announced – £10 per person.
Tourism depends on high quality visa facilitation and border processes to support economic recovery and encourage demand, particularly from emerging visa-requiring markets. Pre-COVID-19 pandemic, Europe’s share of global international tourism arrivals was declining. Only 17% of the EU’s visitors came from long-haul markets. The value of these visitors has been missed, and the appeal to them of non-European destinations will continue to grow. Meanwhile, maintaining Europe’s cross-border mobility requires political will as well as adequate infrastructure.
ETOA is active on visa policy, from Schengen, UK and Ireland processing, to informing members on cross-border travel requirements both intra-European and from outside Europe. If widespread public health controls are required again, they should be proportionate and co-ordinated such that those travelling with recognised credentials (such as digital vaccination certificates) can travel freely.
ETOA is also campaigning with other industry associations for UK Government to re-instate acceptance of EU ID cards for children under 18 (as well as waiving the need for a UK visa for children of visa-requiring nationality) on EU/EFTA school trips to the UK. Security of new EU ID cards is improving following European Commission regulation in August 2021.
ETOA’s policy objectives
- An objective assessment of risk allowing more countries to have visa-waiver status
- Intelligent reform to Schengen visa code and national governments visa policy including development of e-visas
- Efficient and welcoming border processes, including travel documents and health credentials required
What we are doing
- Collaborate with industry partners including Tourism Manifesto alliance
- Work with European Commission, Parliament and national governments
- Conduct origin market surveys and publish reports (more below)
- Inform members on cross-border travel requirements (more below)
Operating in Europe: what do you need to know
Upcoming new border formalities
Entry/Exit System (EES) is currently expected to be implemented in 2024 and ETIAS roll-out may begin in 2024/2025 for travellers wishing to enter the Schengen Area as well as some non-Schengen EU member states. Note that implementation dates for both have been subject to revision, partly due to lack of readiness of border infrastructure, so please check this webpage periodically for updates.
Confused about the difference between EES and ETIAS? In June 2023 the European Commission published an explainer here, and the July/August 2023 ETIAS update is here.
The UK has also announced the requirement for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to start from 15 November 2023 and during 2024; start date varies depending on nationality (full implementation before 2025). More information below.
Schengen Area
The Schengen Area remains one of the EU’s great success stories. Borderless travel between 23 EU and 4 non-EU states (EFTA) has transformed the offer of multi-country itineraries enjoyed by long-haul visitors in particular. If there is a serious threat to public policy or internal security (i.e. a pandemic), a Schengen country may exceptionally temporarily reintroduce internal border controls but is required to notify the European Commission (list of current internal border controls).
The introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation Services (ETIAS) – information below, is part of a long term strategy for the Schengen Area. News on Schengen and Border policy from the European Commission can be found here.
Countries within the Schengen Area – Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Schengen Visa policy
The European Commission is committed to further reform, including more digitalisation and has established a common visa policy for visitors to the Schengen Area not exceeding 90 days in a rolling 180 day period.
Annex II – List of countries whose nationals are not required to obtain a Schengen visa (‘visa-waiver’)
Annex I – List of countries whose nationals are required to obtain a Schengen visa. In certain cases, nationals are exempt from the visa requirement. For example, nationals of a third country listed in Annex I, residing in a country listed in Annex II, travelling as part of a school trip. See Article 6 (2.1) information on national derogations where this applies.
The cost of a Schengen visa (short stay) is generally €80 per person aged 12 and above. Further information here.
Visas for visits exceeding 90 days in a rolling 180 day period remain subject to national procedures.
Schengen Visa Digitalisation
In June 2023, the European Council and Parliament agreed main elements to digitalise both the Schengen visa and its application platform. Further information from the Commission can be found here. While this is a move in the right direction, the intended timescale is very long: a seven-year transition period is planned. Meanwhile Europe remains uncompetitive. This amplifies concerns ETOA continues to express about lack of political will to invest in visa facilitation, harming Europe’s export income.
ETOA visa impact surveys and reports
ETOA conducts origin market surveys with its members and publishes reports assessing current impact of Schengen visa processing. Its results help ETOA and policy makers map current problems and identify good practice: poor visa processing costs Europe valuable business.
Summary presentation from our survey in autumn 2022 on visa processing focusing on Asian origin markets can be found here and at the end of this page (also reported in our webinar on 24 November 2022). Initial findings suggest that Schengen Area countries as well as UK and Ireland need to improve service standards to avoid deterring high-spending Asian visitors.
Non-Schengen Area EU member states
Bulgaria and Romania are applying large parts of the Schengen acquis but have not currently joined the Schengen Area. The European Commission support their inclusion (communication and press release on 16 November 2022) but unanimous support is required from Schengen member states. While border controls with countries in the Schengen Area have not been removed, when the Entry/Exit System starts (see below) time spent in Bulgaria and Romania will count towards the time limit in the Schengen Area (i.e. 90 days in rolling 180 day period).
The Schengen evaluation process to assess the readiness of Cyprus to join the Schengen Area is ongoing and a dedicated evaluation is scheduled for 2023.
Ireland maintains an opt-out and does not participate in the Schengen acquis related to external borders (i.e. 90 days in rolling 180 day period) or the abolition of internal EU border controls with existing countries in the Schengen Area. However, Ireland does participate in the Schengen acquis related to the Schengen Information System, police and judicial cooperation. For information on visiting Ireland and travel between Ireland and the UK, see below.
Passport validity requirements for non-EU/non-EFTA nationals
Entering Schengen Area (plus Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania) – expiry date at least 3 months after intended leaving date (only months less than 10 years from issue date are included in calculation). For a 10 year passport to be valid, the day intend to leave must not be more than 9 years and 9 months since issue date.
For entering Ireland see below.
EES is an automated IT system for registering third country (non-EU/non-EFTA) nationals arriving as visitors into the Schengen Area or Bulgaria and Romania for short stays (max 90 in 180 days), both visa-exempt and visa-requiring.
Start date: to be announced, potentially after August 2024 (date currently expected to be agreed on 19-20 October 2023)
Countries implementing: Schengen Area + Bulgaria and Romania
Countries (EU) not implementing: Cyprus and Ireland
Applicable to: third country (non-EU/non-EFTA) nationals arriving as visitors for short stays (max 90 in 180 days), both visa-exempt and visa-requiring, of all ages although collection of biometric data varies by age. See question 1 in FAQs for exemptions.
Cost: Free
System: EES will replace manual stamping in a passport and enable use of e-gates. Collection of biometric data will be required:
Age 12 and above – facial image and fingerprints
Under 12 – facial image
The process to collect the biometric data may vary by country. Further information to be announced including on National Facilitation Programmes for frequent visitors.
Validity: Personal data collected is stored for 3 years and one day after leaving the Schengen Area (or Bulgaria, Romania) for majority of third country nationals. When re-entering the Schengen Area (or Bulgaria, Romania) within 3 years, either new facial image or fingerprints is collected.
Additional information: When EES starts, time spent in Bulgaria and Romania will count towards the time limit in the Schengen Area (i.e. 90 days in rolling 180 day period). See question 2 in FAQs.
Official website: European Commission EES webpage
ETIAS is a pre-clearance permit to be required by nationals of third countries (non-EU/non-EFTA) arriving as visitors into the Schengen Area or Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania, who do not require a Schengen visa (Annex II). For example, British (UK), Japan, USA.
Start date: Planned to be operational 6 months after EES, potentially in 2024/2025. New start date for EES currently expected to be agreed on 19-20 October 2023.
Countries implementing: Schengen Area + Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania
Countries (EU) not implementing: Ireland
Applicable to: third country (non-EU/non-EFTA) nationals of countries with Schengen visa-waiver status (Annex II). An ETIAS is not required when transiting and remain in international transit area.
Exemptions: Third country nationals resident within the Schengen Area or non-Schengen EU member states (Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania). Third country nationals resident in Ireland are not exempt (except British nationals resident in Ireland before 1 January 2021). Information on exemptions.
Cost: €7 per person aged 18-70 years old at time of application except family members of EU/EFTA citizens where applicable (under 18 and over 70 still need to apply even though free)
Validity: 3 years or until expiration of travel document i.e. passport, whichever is sooner. Multiple entries will be permitted during period of validity. A standard ETIAS travel authorisation allows travel to all countries that have implemented ETIAS.
Additional information: ETIAS will be required by nationals of a third country listed in Annex I, residing in a country listed in Annex II, travelling as part of a school trip where a visa is not required (see Article 6 (2.1) information on national derogations where this applies).
Background information: Unlike the USA equivalent (ESTA), the revenue will not contribute to tourism promotion. Following strong representation from industry, the fee is set at a level to cover costs including development of land border infrastructure as well as the system itself. ETOA and other associations took the view that seeking profit would penalise those who had chosen to visit Europe, and that promotion should be funded in other ways. Some confusion about scope and operation has arisen due to the proliferation of unofficial websites with URLs containing either Schengen or ETIAS.
European Commission official updates on ETIAS: July / August 2023
Official website (including how to apply when launched): European Commission ETIAS webpage
Ireland and United Kingdom
Ireland and the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) have a Common Travel Area (CTA) whose operation is unaffected by the UK’s departure from the EU allowing free movement for British and Irish citizens within the CTA. The CTA includes the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
For non-British/non-Irish citizens the maximum length of time permitted to visit differs between Ireland (90 days) and the UK (6 months).
Ireland and UK Visa Policy
Taking into account the different time period, there is common visa policy between Ireland and the UK for certain nationalities such as the British Irish visa scheme for Chinese and Indian nationals. This scheme allows travel in Ireland and the UK for Chinese and Indian nationals on a single visa (either issued by Ireland or UK, usually the country of first arrival). Ireland also has a short-stay visa waiver programme that exempts nationals of certain countries who have a UK visa from needing an Irish visa when in Ireland (this programme is not reciprocated by UK Government).
The cost of a UK standard visitor visa is generally £100 (£115 from 4 October 2023 – announcement). Other visa fees can be found here.
The cost of an Ireland short stay ‘C’ visitor visa is generally €60.
ETOA visa impact surveys and reports
ETOA conducts origin market surveys with its members and publishes reports assessing current impact of Ireland and UK visa processing. Its results help ETOA and policy makers map current problems and identify good practice: poor visa processing costs Europe valuable business.
Summary presentation from our survey in autumn 2022 on visa processing focusing on Asian origin markets can be found here and at the end of this page (also reported in our webinar on 24 November 2022). Initial findings suggest that Schengen Area countries as well as UK and Ireland need to improve service standards to avoid deterring high-spending Asian visitors.
Passport validity requirements
Entering Ireland – expiry date after intended leaving date
Entering the UK – expiry date after intended leaving date
British and Irish nationals are advised to carry valid ID documentation travelling between Ireland and the UK (transport carriers may require ID document to be a passport).
Ireland and Northern Ireland (island of Ireland)
When travelling between Ireland and Northern Ireland, there are no immigration controls on the land border, but the traveller needs to check if a Irish/UK visa is required for their nationality in either country. For nationalities who do not require a UK visa, a pre-clearance permit is planned to be introduced before 2025 and to be required in Northern Ireland (see below: UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme).
For nationals of countries that are part of the EU or EFTA, a passport is not required arriving in Northern Ireland from Ireland (entering Ireland with an EU ID card is permitted). A passport is required when arriving in Northern Ireland from elsewhere, and for onward travel to Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales).
Further information
Irish Government – visiting (including visa requirements) | news and updates
UK Government – visiting (including visa requirements) | border entry process | news and communications
ETA is a pre-clearance permit to be required by non-British/non-Irish nationals arriving as visitors into the UK who do not require a UK visa (national of a country not on this list) e.g. EU/EFTA (excluding Ireland), Japan, Canada and USA.
Start date: to vary by nationality
15 November 2023: nationals of Qatar
22 February 2024: nationals of other GCC countries and Jordan
Before 2025 (date to be announced): other nationals worldwide who do not require a UK visitor visa e.g. EU/EFTA (excluding Ireland), Japan, Canada and USA. Announcement on start date currently expected in spring 2024 and anticipated to be in autumn/winter 2024.
For nationals of GCC countries an ETA will replace the electronic visa waiver. There is currently no change for other nationals who require a UK visitor visa moving to visa waiver status as a result of ETA.
Implementing country: United Kingdom (UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)
Applicable to: non-British/non-Irish nationals arriving as visitors into the UK, who do not require a UK visa (national of a country not on this list). Also includes transiting the UK and remain in international transit area.
Exemption: Non-British/non-Irish nationals resident in Ireland who do not require a UK visitor visa will be exempt when travelling to the UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) from Ireland or elsewhere in the Common Travel Area (CTA). An ETA will be required if arriving into the UK from outside the CTA. To prove residency in Ireland, these documents are accepted.
Cost: £10 per person. The revenue will be used to cover costs and invest in the UK border system.
Validity: 2 years or until expiration of travel document i.e. passport, whichever is sooner. Multiple entries will be permitted during period of validity. An ETA will allow travel to all countries in the UK.
Application process: Either via dedicated app or online. Facial biometric will be taken when applying plus a photo/scan of passport photo page required. Most applications to be reviewed within 1 hour, but may take up to 3 working days.
Background information: UK Government Communications Pack; Border Control Strategy Statement (July 2022) and (May 2021)
Official website (including how to apply when launched): UK Government ETA guidance webpage
ETOA Visa Impact Surveys and Reports
Disclaimer: While best efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the information, the information displayed on this page should be used as guidance only.