ETIAS Visa Waiver for Travelers from Israel

Israelis travel rights to the EU will never be the same now that the EU has created their new ETIAS (European Travel Information Authorisation System) visa waiver with a planned launch in 2023. Israelis will join the 60 ETIAS countries and Israelis who want to travel to the Schengen area for less than 90 days need to pay attention to this change.

Until recently, the EU was a safe haven, free from the conflicts of the world. This dream is over and the EU now sees threats wherever they look. This includes Israelis who want to travel into the Schengen area. The EU no longer feels safe welcoming travellers in, and the ETIAS visa waiver is designed to enhance traceability.

By collecting data from every traveller into the Schengen area, the EU can cross-reference many more travellers with Interpol databases, and turn away those who are a concern.

On a practical level, the ETIAS visa waiver will not cut back on the entry rights for many Israelis. Aside from having to complete an application form, most travellers will not be affected. It has been estimated that 95% of Israelis ETIAS visa applications will be accepted.

The ETIAS visa waiver will be needed for most Israelis travelling to the Schengen area after 2023, the majority of whom come for short-term travel. This means travellers who come for less than 90 days, and it covers all manner of purposes, such as business, medical care, and pleasure. Israelis that want to travel to the EU for longer periods will need to arrange a standard visa as they do right now.

Even children and older Israelis will have to receive an ETIAS visa to travel to the EU, so long as their travel is short-term. However, these citizens of Israel will benefit from free application, whereas Israelis between 18 and 70 will have to pay 7 euros.

An ETIAS visa will become the easiest way to visit Europe, and should be sought out above any other documentation for travel. It does come with restrictions of time period and area of travel (detailed below). Travellers to Europe should research the rules thoroughly and only apply for an ETIAS visa waiver if it is appropriate for their travel purpose.

Around 5% of Israelis will not be rewarded with an ETIAS visa waiver for various reasons, including concerns that they pose a threat. Being considered a threat will also make getting a standard visa difficult, but this may be the only way for some Israelis to travel to the Schengen area.

The ETIAS visa gives Israelis the right to visit all the nations listed below.

Israelis should remember the diversity of the sovereignty of these nations, divisible into groupings of nations with a similar status to them. Most of the nations, like Germany and France, are full members of the EU. A minority, like Iceland, has strong economic and immigration connections to the EU but are not an official part of it. These nations are in the Schengen area though. Finally, some micro-states like Vatican City are not officially part of the EU or the Schengen area. But, their territory being inside a Schengen and EU member, makes them share Schengen status unofficially.

Israelis have to thoroughly prepare for their ETIAS visa application to meet the ETIAS requirements, getting an array of documentation ready for their application. This includes their passport, their credit card, and proof of address.

They must also prepare accurate answers to all the questions on the ETIAS application form. They are generally fairly basic information that Israelis will not have to think much about: full name, date of birth and birthplace, parents' personal information. Some ETIAS requirement questions will need Israelis to be more careful to avoid the falsification of information. These questions will have serious implications for the success of their application. These are...

The ETIAS visa waiver comes as an online document, and the Israeli will receive it on the email address they give during their application. The Israeli will be ready to make their travel to Europe, and they should complete any outstanding bookings, making sure they are in line with the itinerary that they gave the EU.

The minority of Israelis that have their application rejected should appeal, and comply with any resultant requests for further documentation or information than they supplied on their ETIAS application form. The Israeli has 96 hours to provide this, and it should clear up any discrepancies. Most Israelis will be successful within four weeks of completing their appeal.