Frontex Intensively Working on ETIAS Central Unit – Calls It a “Revolution in Travel”
The team working in the central unit of the European Union’s Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has more than doubled in recent months in order to make sure that by November 2023, when the system is set to be launched, everything is ready.
According to a press release of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, issued on November 17, the Frontex staff is working intensively to meet the deadlines so that travellers from over 60 world countries who do not need a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen Area, will be able to obtain an ETIAS without difficulties, a year from now, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
The agency also reveals that, in total, 56 new employees have joined Frontex, mainly in the positions of applications handlers as well as traveller and carrier support operators.
“Once ETIAS becomes operational, they will process and screen applications from visa-exempt travellers and perform helpdesk assistance functions to support ETIAS applicants and carriers,” the agency says in its press release.
Commenting on the work that is being done to meet all the ETIAS deadlines, the Director of ETIAS Division in Frontex, François Laruelle, said that the team at this division has its hands full due to the intense preparations for the launch of the system in November 2023.
“ETIAS will constitute a major change for European border control. We will have our hands full in the coming months, and the preparations for its launch are intense. Our operators will be working 24/7 to make border control for travellers as smooth as possible while keeping Europe safe,” Director Laruelle said.
In its press release, Frontex also said that the ETIAS would shorten the number of control procedures at the external EU borders, thus also shortening waiting times for travellers.
It also noted that through the ETIAS, border management and the EU’s visa liberalization policy would be strengthened, by, amongst others, helping prevent illegal migration, and supporting the fight against terrorism and organized crime.
The system had been set to become effective in May 2023, but then the EU Commission quietly postponed the ETIAS launch to November 2023.
As soon as that happens, travellers will need to apply for an ETIAS online through an official website which hasn’t been revealed yet, but an EU source has confirmed for SchengenVisaInfo.com that the ETIAS website will be under the Europa.eu domain.
Travellers will need to fill in a form asking them simple information such as their name, date and place of birth, passport information, occupation, and background security questions. Travellers will also need to upload a photo of theirs and pay a fee of €7.
Several other world countries operate similar schemes for the citizens of countries under their visa-free entry regime, including the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, while the United Kingdom is working on creating a similar travel authorization scheme.
In order for the ETIAS system to be ready on time, Frontex says that it is already working closely with the authorities of the 26 Schengen Area countries and Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania, which are in the process of becoming Schengen Members.
>> 1.4 Billion People Will Have to Apply for an ETIAS Authorization Before Travelling to the EU
