ETIAS Impacts on CBI programs and Golden Visas
Rasheed Alkhanji QICMS
Published 02:24 PM 16 September 2021
Updated 12:25 PM 16 March 2022
For many international investors, all it took to enter Europe was a ticket, a valid travel document (Passport) , and a good plan. Beginning in late 2022 that will change.
By the end of 2022, individuals from certain countries will need to successfully apply for a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver in order to enter the Schengen area. But what is ETIAS visa waiver? And how will ETIAS affect Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programs and Residence by Investment (RBI) Programs (“Golden Visas”)—particularly those that have historically offered visa-free access to the Schengen area? Read on for the answer to this question, and for more information about the potential impact of ETIAS on investor citizenship schemes and investor residence schemes (golden visas).
The European Travel Information and Authorization System, or “ETIAS” is a form of security clearance travelers from certain countries must obtain prior to arriving in the Schengen area.
A kind of electronic authorization launching by the end of 2022, would-be travelers to the Schengen area will be able to apply for the ETIAS online, through a quick and easy process requiring no paperwork or in-person appointments.
Anyone who successfully applies for the ETIAS visa waiver will be able to use it to travel to the Schengen area in lieu of a visa for several years. After holding a valid ETIAS for a period of 3 years, applicants will have to re-apply for the authorization.
The goal of ETIAS is to prevent potential security breaches of the Schengen area caused by visa-free travelers to the bloc, who are currently not subject to any background checks or required to pass a security clearance in order to enter.
Please note, because the ETIAS system has yet to be launched, certain aspects of the program remain unclear, (such the number of years ETIAS will be valid for, and whether residents of EU/Schengen states who are citizens of countries with visa-free access to the Schengen area will need ETIAS to enter their country of residence). Until ETIAS gets closer to its launch date, it remains unclear what affect ETIAS for CIPs will have.
How will the ETIAS system work? In order to be approved for an ETIAS, applicants must provide the following ETIAS visa waiver requirements:
The new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is a future condition for citizens of visa-exempt countries to enter the Schengen Area. This system will be handled by the European Union and its Member States and will replace individual country visas in 2022.
The Schengen Visa is a complicated process, so if you are qualified for the waiver, it is recommended to apply for that instead. A Schengen visa requires significantly more paperwork, and in certain cases may even require an in-person interview.
As you can see, traveling to Europe with ETIAS for citizens of CBI programs will continue to be easy—even with the new authorization
There are a number of countries in Europe that offer an investor visa to non-EU/EFTA nationals. Choosing the Residency or Citizenship Program that best suits your needs can be difficult, especially when there are so many options available to you. We, therefore, encourage you to contact us before deciding on a Program and to help you make the right choice.
QICMS (Invest-visa.com) is one of the leading companies in the world in acquiring various immigration statuses: permanent residency permits, second citizenship and second passports.
To view our European Golden Visa Program comparison table, please click here.
For the Citizenship by Investment Programs comparison table, please click here.
If you would like to see our Residency and Citizenship Programs through Real Estate Investment comparison table, please click here.
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