ETIAS 2026 Enterprise Journey Information: What each UK and US enterprise traveller must know
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When you thought Brexit was the one bureaucratic curveball for Brits heading into Europe, suppose once more. The European Union is cooking up a recent journey twist – and it may throw a critical spanner within the works for enterprise travellers heading to the EU.
Initially slated for November 2024, the launch of the European Journey Info and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has simply been pushed again but once more – this time to late 2026. However don’t be fooled by the delay. Consultants say now could be the time for Spanish corporations and their worldwide companions to get their paperwork – and passports – so as.
Companies mustn’t await ETIAS to turn into lively to arrange, warns Amsterdam-based immigration lawyer Kirsty Gies of Everaert Advocaten. The implications for enterprise journey can be important.
What’s ETIAS – and who wants it?
ETIAS (pronounced ee-tee-ass, when you had been questioning) shouldn’t be a visa.
The system applies to visa-exempt travellers from greater than 60 nations – together with the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Japan – who need to go to the Schengen Space for brief stays (90 days inside a 180-day interval). That features enterprise journeys to Spain.
Candidates should fill out a web based kind, declare felony and well being historical past, and pay a modest €7 payment. As soon as granted, the authorisation lasts three years, or till your passport expires.
So sure, it’s low-cost – however forgetful travellers danger being grounded in the event that they skip this step.
Final-minute journey simply obtained so much riskier.
Overlook about dashing to Madrid on a whim. ETIAS is right here to kill the spontaneous enterprise journey.
Though most purposes ought to be accredited inside minutes, anybody flagged for additional checks may face prolonged delays or even outright refusal.
That’s dangerous information for UK corporations sending workers on the final minute to seal offers, seek the advice of on initiatives, or woo shoppers. And even worse information for Spanish corporations counting on fast fly-ins from abroad companions.
What occurs if you’re rejected?
If you’ve obtained a patchy immigration previous, don’t count on a heat welcome. ETIAS pre-screens for safety, well being and migration dangers.
A single previous visa difficulty may set off additional scrutiny – and presumably a pink stamp. Rejected candidates will obtain an e mail detailing the explanations for refusal and the authority that made the choice, with the suitable to enchantment.
Be careful, frequent flyers
If your corporation runs on a carousel of short-term guests – whether or not consultants, trainers, or venture companions – you’ll have to issue ETIAS into each itinerary.
Travellers with long-term residence permits in Spain are off the hook – however anybody popping in from exterior the EU might want to keep on high of their ETIAS expiry dates and reapply when vital.
And bear in mind: get a brand new passport? You’ll want a brand new ETIAS. No exceptions.
Huge groups, greater admin complications
Massive corporations with world groups might discover the greatest price isn’t the €7 payment – it’s the bureaucratic burden of monitoring purposes, renewals and rejections.
Consultants recommend including an ETIAS examine to inner journey insurance policies to keep away from last-minute chaos at check-in.
And no – ETIAS doesn’t change your work allow or residence card. If you’re planning something past short-term journey, the same old immigration guidelines nonetheless apply. ETIAS is only one extra hoop to leap by means of.
Keep tuned for extra US information.
Get extra UK information.