EU Council of Ministers Adopts European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
September 7, 2018
The situation
The EU Council of Ministers has adopted the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The regulation will enter into force after the text is published in the EU Official Journal, which is expected to occur in the coming months, and the system is expected to be operational by 2021.
A closer look
- Registration before travel. Under ETIAS, visa-exempt nationals would be required to register online before travelling to the European Union, allowing authorities to conduct background checks and, if necessary, deny entry authorization.
- Process. Registration would be completed through an online application. Air and sea carriers would be required to check passengers’ travel authorization before boarding.
Impact
ETIAS will add an administrative step for visa-exempt nationals seeking to enter the Schengen Area but will add a layer of security for visa-exempt nationals who until then, do not need to obtain online clearance prior to travel.
Background
ETIAS was proposed by the European Commission in November 2016. The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union agreed on their position in April 2018. ETIAS was initially scheduled to be operational by January 2020.
Looking ahead
Three years after its full operation, coach services organizing land transport will also be required to check passengers’ travel authorization using the ETIAS system.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ana Bessa Santos outlines Switzerland’s 2026 immigration quotas and what employers should expect across non-EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA and UK permit categories.
Blog post
Manager Ruaida Hussein outlines the UAE’s updated residency rules introducing a one-year residence permit for eligible individuals following divorce or the death of a spouse
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni outlines USCIS’ decision to reduce EB-5 filing fees following a federal court ruling that invalidates the agency’s 2024 fee increases.
Media mentions
Manager Clara Gautrais and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce highlight how the UK government’s consultation on expanding right to work checks could affect construction employers.
Awards
China Managing Partner Becky Xia is named among the “Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025” by Forbes China for her leadership in immigration law and contributions to global mobility.
Awards
Fragomen is featured on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms list in the category of immigration.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Patricia Rezmives explains the 2025 process for claiming Irish citizenship through ancestry and key considerations for foreign birth registration.
Fragomen news
Fragomen is recognized on Law360 Pulse's 2025 Social Impact Leaders list.
Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino is recognized with the Utah State Bar’s Paul Moxley Outstanding Mentor Award for his dedication to mentorship in immigration law and fostering professional growth in the legal community.
Blog post
In this blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains how modern immigration compliance must evolve from paperwork and formality into a strategic governance discipline that aligns outdated laws with today’s business realities and measures true compliance through systems, behavior and integrity.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines the UK’s evolving immigration framework, outlining recent reforms, upcoming consultations and the key areas where business can help shape the system’s future direction.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ana Bessa Santos outlines Switzerland’s 2026 immigration quotas and what employers should expect across non-EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA and UK permit categories.
Blog post
Manager Ruaida Hussein outlines the UAE’s updated residency rules introducing a one-year residence permit for eligible individuals following divorce or the death of a spouse
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni outlines USCIS’ decision to reduce EB-5 filing fees following a federal court ruling that invalidates the agency’s 2024 fee increases.
Media mentions
Manager Clara Gautrais and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce highlight how the UK government’s consultation on expanding right to work checks could affect construction employers.
Awards
China Managing Partner Becky Xia is named among the “Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025” by Forbes China for her leadership in immigration law and contributions to global mobility.
Awards
Fragomen is featured on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms list in the category of immigration.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Patricia Rezmives explains the 2025 process for claiming Irish citizenship through ancestry and key considerations for foreign birth registration.
Fragomen news
Fragomen is recognized on Law360 Pulse's 2025 Social Impact Leaders list.
Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino is recognized with the Utah State Bar’s Paul Moxley Outstanding Mentor Award for his dedication to mentorship in immigration law and fostering professional growth in the legal community.
Blog post
In this blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains how modern immigration compliance must evolve from paperwork and formality into a strategic governance discipline that aligns outdated laws with today’s business realities and measures true compliance through systems, behavior and integrity.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines the UK’s evolving immigration framework, outlining recent reforms, upcoming consultations and the key areas where business can help shape the system’s future direction.