HomeWorld News US citizens will need ‘visas’ for Europe’s Schengen area starting from 2021

Traveling to Europe will now become a little more complicated for US citizens – starting from 2021, they will need to obtain an entry permit before crossing the pond. The measure comes as new cracks appear in US-EU ties.

In less than two years, US travelers will be required to apply for visas before entering Europe. “This means that from 2021, all Americans traveling to a European Schengen-zone country will be in need of an ETIAS,” an EU press release said, referring to the European Travel Information and Authorization System.

Under the new scheme, Americans will have to fill in an online form and pay a fee. The system will allow EU authorities to pre-screen US citizens crossing the Atlantic. Once granted, the visa will last for three years, allowing Americans to make multiple trips to Europe.

The EU says that going through ETIAS will be cheap, costing a fee of €7 (roughly $8); officials also promise that 95 percent of applicants will be granted approval within minutes. Who will make up the remaining 5 percent is unclear, but rejected citizens will be able to appeal the decision.

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What a way to make friends over the pond.