Americans must soon register - but not get visas - to travel to some European countries

[brooklynite]

Houston Chronicle

By 2021, Americans traveling to certain countries in Europe will have to preregister online as part of a security system intended to screen visa-free travelers.

The European Union announced last year that before entry, travelers from all visa-free countries, including the United States, will need to preregister and pay a small application fee using the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), a system designed "to strengthen security checks on those persons who travel visa-free to the EU," according to a fact sheet from the European Commission. It applies to people traveling to Europe's Schengen Zone, an area comprising of more than two dozen countries, including France, Germany and Spain, but not England.

Currently, U.S. citizens with a valid passport can visit Schengen countries and stay for up to 90 days without a visa, according to the State Department.

[NacLeeFF]

1. Wow.

[brooklynite]

2. I wouldn't mind so much...

...if it got us access to the automatic entry gates at most EU airports. All you do is insert your passport and get approved in about 30 seconds.

[Historic NY]

3. We had Visa's when I traveled to France-Beligum and elsewhere in the vicinity.

travel company insisted. I have a VISA for Belgium from Oct this yr.