Essentials of Estonia ETIAS for Citizens of Canada

Travelers that are going to visit Schengen or European Union states are set to use a new system in 2022. This system will be giving travel authorizations to qualified individuals that have been vetted. The system is called the ETIAS and will be somewhat like the United States ESTA when it comes online. It will have the capacity to gather information about a traveler and decide whether he poses negligible risk to the host nation. The ETIAS will be available for travelers coming from countries that aren’t members of the Schengen Agreement or the EU but enjoys visa-free facilities when entering the member countries.

Because of certain unpleasant incidents that happened in the last decade, the European Commission made it their mission to create a system that can gather data about an individual, evaluate the information, and make a decision on whether the traveler poses a considerable security risk to the country that he wishes to enter. When the system goes online, it is expected to boost border security and management substantially, which in turn makes it safer for travelers and residents alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the ETIAS?

The European Travel Information and Authorization System or the ETIAS is the system created by the EC whose objective is to improve civilian security for EU and Schengen states. It will be able to gather and evaluate information on all applicants for the travel authorization by accessing databases from all over the world. It will then make a decision on whether to grant authorization to enter or not. The authorization can be valid for up to three years from the date of approval.

The system is expected to improve what is an already robust civilian security and border management system that is currently in use by Schengen and EU countries. The test run which is set for the second half of 2022 will test the capabilities of the system and figure out its limitations. By 2023, the full capacity of the ETIAS will go online and travelers that are eligible for the authorization are expected to obtain one before they travel to member states. If the traveler is not allowed to apply for the ETIAS, he will have to apply for an eVisa instead.

Will every traveler be required to get authorization from the ETIAS?

As previously stated, only citizens of non-EU, non-Schengen countries with visa-exempt status can apply for the authorization. The applicant needs to complete the application form, then the system will gather, evaluate and verify the information needed to make a decision on whether to approve the application or not.

Canada is one of those countries in the list, which includes 58 others. By 2022, Canadian citizens may already be required to get an Estonia ETIAS for Citizens of Canada if they want to visit the country. Countries may be removed from the list, or they may be added until the final list is available when the system is online. If you are not a citizen of any of the 59 countries in the list, you will have to apply for an eVisa.

How long does it take to get an authorization from ETIAS?

The application for the authorization is only available online, and takes just minutes to complete. Once the form is filled out and submitted, the ETIAS will need no more than 96 hours to evaluate the data and make a decision. However, the designers of the system are anticipating that some applications will need additional information, in which case the decision can take up to 4 weeks.

Is iVisa.com the best platform for the ETIAS authorization?

In terms of travel documents and authorizations, nothing beats iVisa.com. Teams of specialists will make sure that customers get the documents they need every time. Plus, the website is protected by security software which means that nobody can access sensitive customer information.

How can I get more information?

Your best bet is the iVisa.com website if you need more information. For other questions or concerns, feel free to send us an email at [email protected] or give our reps a call at +1 (786) 460-2707.