Photo by Sidharth Bhatia on Unsplash
If you are looking to study in Europe, you’ll need to get your visa application in order as soon as possible, but getting it done won’t be easy if you don’t know what ETIAS is. ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, and if you are an American student hoping to study in Europe, this new system will make the visa application process much easier than it used to be. Here are five reasons why applying to study in Europe with ETIAS is worth your time and effort.
5 Reasons to Study in Europe with ETIAS
1) You need an ETIAS before you can study or work in any European country
If you’re coming from a non-European country and plan on studying or working for more than three months in Europe, then you must apply for an ETIAS. This travel authorization will let you freely study and work anywhere inside the EU for up to 90 days. The idea behind it is that if Europe is going to let you travel inside its borders, it wants to know where you are at all times. You can’t study or work without one: In order to study or work in any European country, you need to have an ETIAS approval before your trip. It’s not optional; it’s mandatory. Students need one too: Students coming from outside of Europe who plan on studying in Europe (even just for a semester) need an ETIAS approval as well.
2) Getting an ETIAS is easy and cheap
If you’re travelling to or studying in Europe, you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETIAS). An ETIAS is required by citizens of most countries who intend to travel and visit as tourists and even students, but some European countries do require a visa. The great thing about ETIAS is that it’s both easy and cheap—you can apply for an ETIAS before you book your flights or even decide on a destination. In fact, there are 5 reasons why studying abroad with an ETIAS is your best option: (1) Save money; (2) Travel easily; (3) No need for a visa; (4) Stay longer; and (5) Experience Europe differently.
3) The new ETIAS is good for students and workers
With a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa application, students will be able to study abroad for as long as they like within any of 28 EU countries. The ETIAS is beneficial for employers as well since it will help them verify employment eligibility before their employees start work. This is a good idea for both sides since it protects employers from having unauthorised workers on their payrolls, and it assures students that they will be able to get jobs after graduation by proving they are eligible.
4) How long does it take to get an ETIAS?
The etias online application only takes a few minutes, but processing times will depend on your country of origin. If you’re from a non-EU country and would like to study in Europe for up to 90 days, apply for an ETIAS visa. However, it can take as long as three months for applications to be processed by authorities. And if you plan on staying longer than 90 days or travelling through multiple countries within that time frame, then it may be worth applying for a traditional Schengen Visa instead. The whole process can take anywhere between two weeks and several months—but remember that most students spend around six months studying abroad anyway.
5) What are the requirements for getting an ETIAS?
Travelling to Europe without an ETIAS could become a lot more difficult after 2022. Starting late this year, travellers from countries that don’t require visas for travel within most of Europe will need their own personal travel authorization before boarding their flight. (Yes, U.S. citizens and residents are included.) The best way to start getting ready is by familiarising yourself with all of the details and requirements of Europe’s new entry-authorization scheme, which is known as ETIAS (or sometimes ETA or ESTA). This five-minute primer should give you a head start on knowing what steps you’ll need to take—and when—to avoid any surprises later on down the road when it comes time for your trip.
