The European Union has once again postponed the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), citing technical problems, according to an announcement from the European Council.
Originally scheduled for 2021, the program is now expected to be implemented in the final quarter of 2026, with a six-month grace period for travelers. The delay impacts hundreds of thousands of visa-exempt visitors to the EU, including Canadians, who will be required to apply online for a visa waiver before traveling to one of the 29 Schengen-area countries and Cyprus.
The ETIAS waiver will cost €7 (about $11) and will be valid for three years. Most applications will be processed within minutes, but some could take up to 30 days. Travelers holding an EU passport or residency card will be exempt, and Ireland will not participate due to its Common Travel Area agreement with the U.K.
Alongside ETIAS, the EU is preparing to introduce a modernized entry and exit system, which will collect facial images and fingerprints of most visitors. This system is expected to roll out in October 2025 over a six-month period and will apply to non-EU nations like Switzerland and Norway, though not Ireland.
Source: Swifteradio.com
