ETIAS Visa Waiver for Travelers from Venezuela

In 2016, the EU faced a terrible terrorism crisis that took the lives of over 130 innocent people. The European Commission introduced their design for a visa waiver to restrict all unvetted travel into the EU. They originally planned for a launch in 2021, hoping their efforts would improve the safety of EU citizens. However, the COVID-19 crisis brought serious delays to the system, and the EU has only just got it ready for launch.

Amongst the 62 nations of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System is Venezuela, a South American nation with 28 million citizens. In advance of the ETIAS visa waiver’s launch, Venezuelans should educate themselves on all the characteristics of ETIAS. They can do so by reading this article and focusing on all the content released at ETIAS.org.

Having been seriously delayed, the ETIAS visa waiver system will finally be launched at the end of this year. Applications open a few months before its launch, and Venezuelans should apply as soon as possible in preparation for the inevitable rush to gain the new visa waiver.

The ETIAS visa waiver system allows only short-term travel in Europe. There is a limit of 90 days, and this travel period must entirely fall within three years after the Venezuelan has been awarded an ETIAS visa waiver. Longer stays could put a Venezuelan at risk of being detained unless they arrange an extended visa and residency permit.

Furthermore, the ETIAS visa waiver only covers nations in the Schengen Zone countries, and Venezuelans must be careful not to stray beyond this area. A full list of the Schengen nations can be found below. It includes EU nations that are in the Schengen agreement and the defacto microstates within them. It also includes the EFTA nations who share some sovereignty with the EU.

All Venezuelans, regardless of age, status, or purpose of travelling, must fulfil the ETIAS requirements. The EU requires this to ensure that all travellers entering the Schengen Zone are safe. The requirements are below.

The ETIAS administration has designed an application form that will allow Venezuelans to prove that they fit the ETIAS criteria. The questions asked and the documentation required by the ETIAS application are detailed below.

To show they are unlikely to commit a terrorist atrocity while in the EU, Venezuelans must show they have had no terrorist convictions in the past 25 years. They must also detail any past or present affiliations with terrorist groups. The requirement that the Venezuelan is not a human trafficker is fulfilled in similar ways.

When Venezuelans come to prove they are not a criminal, they must detail any convictions in the past 15 years. This criminal record will allow the system to determine if the Venezuelan is likely to follow the law while in the Schengen Zone.

After the COVID-19 crisis, the EU will do anything to reduce the risk travellers have of bringing infectious diseases into Europe. As a result, Venezuelan applicants will be rigorously questioned on any such conditions that they carry.

Finally, the only requirement fulfilled by documentation is the requirement that the Venezuelan has legal citizenship. A biometric passport and proof of address will do so. Venezuelans must ensure that the documentation is valid and their own.

Most additional requirements are in place for Venezuelans who have their application rejected. The EU will unearth enough issues to do so for 5% of applications. This prediction is based on similar visa waiver systems. These Venezuelans will have four days to appeal the rejection and then must wait four weeks for an answer.

Some Venezuelans with much more minor issues with their application will need to supply extra information or documentation within ten days. These applicants will usually find their application is accepted quickly after they have provided what is required.

Occasionally, the additional documentation or information will not be enough to solve discrepancies. In this case, Venezuelans are required to attend a video interview, where an ETIAS official will interrogate them.