The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has expressed confidence that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will have an overwhelmingly high approval rate for applicants. According to Frontex, it’s estimated that more than 97% of applicants will have their applications swiftly approved.

Upon completion of the application form and the submission of required scanned documents by third-country citizens under the visa-free regime, their applications will undergo processing through several EU security systems, including the Schengen Information System (SIS), Visa Information System (VIS), and Entry/Exit System (EES). If no security concerns arise during this process, applicants can expect approval within minutes.

However, the remaining three percent will undergo manual review by the ETIAS Central Unit and National Units to make a final decision. Frontex emphasizes that travelers without a valid travel authorization will be denied boarding by carriers, such as airlines, bus companies, or ferry operators.

It’s important to note that travelers whose ETIAS applications are rejected will not be permitted to enter the Schengen Area. Additionally, as clarified on the official ETIAS website run by the EU, those rejected for ETIAS cannot apply for a Schengen visa as an alternative.

Visa-exempt travelers whose ETIAS applications are declined do have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal process will be handled by the authorities of the country that initially rejected the application.

Furthermore, there is a possibility that EU authorities may revoke an ETIAS if the holder no longer meets the conditions under which the travel authorization was issued. In such cases, affected individuals will receive a decision outlining the reasons for the revocation or annulment, as well as the appropriate appeal procedure.

Approximately one year from now, citizens from more than 60 countries worldwide planning to visit one of the 27 Schengen Area countries will need to apply for an ETIAS, an online travel authorization. ETIAS applications cost €7, making it more affordable than many existing travel authorizations, such as the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), New Zealand’s eTA, and the Australian ETA.