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
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immigration compliance must evolve from paperwork and formality into a strategic governance discipline that aligns outdated laws with today’s business realities and measures true compliance through systems, behavior and integrity.
Video
Senior Manager Fatima Aydin breaks down Irish citizenship by descent, a popular pathway for individuals of Irish ancestry to secure Irish citizenship and passport.
Awards
Eight Fragomen professionals in Mexico City recognized in The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ 2026 edition for excellence in Immigration Law.
Fragomen news
Partner Blake Chisam discusses DHS’s proposed rule expanding biometric data collection and continuous vetting, outlining key privacy and compliance implications for employers.
Fragomen news
Awards
Fragomen is recognized at the National Tier 1 level for Immigration Law in the 2026 edition of The Best Law Firms – United States, with 15 offices across the country also recognized for their excellence in immigration law.
Awards
Fragomen receives Altair Global’s 2025 Super Star Award for Humanitarian Commitment, honoring the firm’s leadership in advancing humanitarian mobility initiatives.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s 2025 federal budget and its significant shift in immigration policy including new limits on international student permits and temporary residents.
Fragomen news
Fragomen news
Fragomen is cited in the UK House of Lords’ landmark report, “The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out,” published on 4 November by the UK Engagement with Space Committee.
Blog post
Manager Zaur Gasimov discusses Georgia’s new immigration and labour-migration reforms introducing mandatory work permits, stricter employer compliance requirements and increased penalties for non-compliance.
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.
Video
Senior Manager Fatima Aydin breaks down Irish citizenship by descent, a popular pathway for individuals of Irish ancestry to secure Irish citizenship and passport.
Awards
Eight Fragomen professionals in Mexico City recognized in The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ 2026 edition for excellence in Immigration Law.
Fragomen news
Partner Blake Chisam discusses DHS’s proposed rule expanding biometric data collection and continuous vetting, outlining key privacy and compliance implications for employers.
Fragomen news
Awards
Fragomen is recognized at the National Tier 1 level for Immigration Law in the 2026 edition of The Best Law Firms – United States, with 15 offices across the country also recognized for their excellence in immigration law.
Awards
Fragomen receives Altair Global’s 2025 Super Star Award for Humanitarian Commitment, honoring the firm’s leadership in advancing humanitarian mobility initiatives.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s 2025 federal budget and its significant shift in immigration policy including new limits on international student permits and temporary residents.
Fragomen news
Fragomen news
Fragomen is cited in the UK House of Lords’ landmark report, “The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out,” published on 4 November by the UK Engagement with Space Committee.
Blog post
Manager Zaur Gasimov discusses Georgia’s new immigration and labour-migration reforms introducing mandatory work permits, stricter employer compliance requirements and increased penalties for non-compliance.