Entry for Ukrainians to the EU will be paid

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From 2024, entry to the countries of the European Union will be paid. Ukrainians and citizens of other visa-free countries must also have a travel permit and pay the entry fee under the ETIAS program.

What is ETIAS, how can Ukrainians apply for it and how much will they have to pay for entry? traveling to the EU, reports Fakty.com.ua.

What is ETIAS

ETIAS – this is an automatic system that is designed to control those who enter Schengen countries without a visa, simply put, the authorization system for entering Europe.

This is an electronic system in which you need to register before traveling , by entering your data and the corresponding payment. Only after you receive the authorization, you can go on the road. The main thing is to get a permit no later than 96 hours before crossing the EU border.

How much will you have to pay for ETIAS

You will need a payment card to pay the fee of €7. Applicants under 18 or over 70 years of age are exempt from this payment.

Who does not need an ETIAS permit

Citizens do not need to issue an ETIAS permit before traveling to the EU, in who have a Schengen visa, and foreigners who have a long-term visa issued by one of the EU member states.

How to apply for ETIAS for Ukrainians

Providing data will take no more than 10 minutes on the official ETIAS website or in the mobile application. The applicant will need to provide personal information, a foreign passport and a payment card.

Your travel document must be valid for at least three months and no more than 10 years. A travel document that does not meet international standards may be rejected during the application process.

When completing the application, you will be asked to provide the following information:

• personal information, including your first and last name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents' names, email address and phone number;
• information about the travel document;
• detailed information about your level of education and current profession;
• detailed information about your intended trip and stay in any which of the countries requiring ETIAS;
• details of any criminal convictions, any past travel to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject to a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.

The application will be processed maximum of four days (96 hours). During the check, the system will check the entered information with the Schengen and visa information systems, the entry-exit system, Interpol and Europol databases.

If the system does not detect any problems with the application, the permission will be granted automatically. This often takes a few minutes, but this period can be extended up to 14 days if you are asked to provide additional information or documentation, or up to 30 days if you are invited for an interview.

In the event of a positive response authorization will be valid for three years or until the expiration of the foreign passport. If you get a new one, the permit will also need to be issued again.

Can they be refused at the border

Since your ETIAS travel permit is linked to your travel document, make sure you have the same document you used in your application.

Otherwise you will not be allowed to board a plane, bus or ship, or enter any from European countries that require ETIAS.

However, the presence of a valid travel permit does not guarantee an automatic right of entry – border guards make the final decision.

< p>Prepared by: Serhiy Daga