Beginning in 2024, if you are headed to Europe, you might discover having a U.S. passport isn鈥檛 enough to board your flight. The European Union plans to begin requiring visa-like authorization ahead of a visit.
It is part of the EU鈥檚 roll out of the, or ETIAS.
鈥淚t’s going to create a lot of confusion for passengers and travelers going to Europe because the airlines will be put on notice that if you don’t show (the authorization) when you check in for your flight, they will not board you,鈥� said CBS 91欧美激情 travel editor Peter Greenberg.
According to the EU, the process can be done online, and many passengers will receive approval within minutes, but others may have to wait up to 30 days for approval.
鈥淭his is why you should apply well in advance of your travel (plans) to avoid complications,鈥� an EU webpage with stated.
Greenberg said if your trip to Europe takes place this year, you are fine to travel. But, for travelers going in January or beyond, you should watch this closely.
This program is in response to the visa applications people heading to the United States from Europe must apply for, according to Greenberg.
Greenberg said since the program has been delayed twice, by November, there should be a clearer picture as to whether the program will fully kick in. He likened it to the rollout of the Real ID program in the United States, which was supposed to begin in 2015. So far, it still isn鈥檛 in effect fully.
If you have plane tickets to Europe for next year, he recommends that you check and see if the roll out is still slated to happen in November. If it is, apply for the electronic authorization.
鈥淎t the end of the day, it’s only gonna be $8 or $10,” Greenberg said. “It’s just an annoyance. But if you don’t do it, you don’t get to go.鈥�
