ETIAS For Citizens Of Ukraine

The European Union created the ETIAS, or European Travel Information and Authorization System, a scheme that waives the need for a visa. Improving security and controlling the entry of visitors without a visa into the Schengen Area are its main purposes.

The ETIAS visa waiver scheme will be publicly launched by the European Union (EU) in 2024. After it takes effect, nationals of more than 50 nations, including Ukraine, will provide the ETIAS document if they plan to visit the Schengen region. The purpose of ETIAS, a travel authorization system designed to assess visa-exempt passengers before they enter any EU member state, is not to grant visas.

All Ukrainian nationals must obtain an ETIAS travel permit before traveling to any EU or Schengen country, as Ukraine is not a member of the EU. Ukrainians can easily apply for an ETIAS document by entering their information using the web portal. Usually, approval is given in 72 hours. During the three years following the approval date, the ETIAS authorization is valid and permits unrestricted travel.

ETIAS

ETIAS, also known as electronic travel authorization, permits pre-arrival screening for citizens of Ukraine and other countries whose citizens are not required to have a visa to enter the European Union. Records on everyone entering and leaving the EU will be kept by the system.  

The Schengen visa is not the same as ETIAS. It is implemented to improve border security within the Schengen area and identify people who might threaten member nations. Travelers are vetted through ETIAS, and entrance into EU territories will be refused to anyone deemed a security or health risk.

Ukrainian nationals must obtain an ETIAS authorization before traveling to any EU member country starting in 2024.

How ETIAS Functions

An electronic ETIAS permit is appended to the traveler’s passport upon approval. The passport used to apply for ETIAS must be used for any travel to the Schengen Area; this should be noted by dual citizens.

You will show border officials your ETIAS-linked passport while entering the Schengen Area. You will also need to bring further documentation, like hotel reservations, an invitation letter, and evidence of your ability to pay for your stay in Europe. Your passport will be scanned by immigration officers to confirm the validity of your ETIAS permit.

The three-year validity of the ETIAS permit is subject to the expiration of the passport, if not before. Holders of an ETIAS are permitted numerous entries into the Schengen Area as long as their stays don’t surpass 90 days during 180 days. Depending on the reason for your trip, you may require a visa or another kind of authorization from the country of destination if you plan to stay in the Schengen Area longer than three months.

Holders of an ETIAS may travel to EU nations for several reasons, such as travel, transportation, business, short-term courses of study, participating in conferences and meetings, or receiving medical care.

ETIAS for Ukrainian citizens

Without physically going to the embassy or consulate of any EU nation, Ukrainian nationals can receive the ETIAS travel permit online. Once ETIAS commences, the application can be completed online via the official website.

Ukrainian nationals’ ETIAS requirements

A valid passport: Your passport must remain valid for at least three months after you depart from the Schengen Area. Additionally, it should contain a machine-readable section on the same page as your biometric information.

Travel itinerary: When entering the Schengen Area, you will submit information about your travel plans, including the first nation you plan to visit, the length of your stay, your airline tickets, your lodging arrangement, and any other pertinent details.

Email address: You must enter a working email address while applying for the ETIAS application. This will be for other vital information and to let you know your application status.

Debit/credit card: Paying the fee is the last stage in the ETIAS application procedure. To finish this payment, a debit or credit card is required.

Additional required information:

• Medical condition
• Criminal history
• Any past visits to war or conflict zones

Processing Time for ETIAS Applications for Ukrainian Citizens

Applications submitted through ETIAS will be handled manually. The majority of requests are completed in 4 days or 96 hours. However, certain applicants might be asked to provide more documents or information by national authorities, which might cause the processing period to increase to two weeks or longer. In these circumstances, an email listing the further documents needed will be sent to the applicant.

Entry into the EU will be refused to Ukrainian nationals who do not have another type of travel authorization and are still awaiting a decision on their ETIAS application. It is best to apply for ETIAS before your trip to avoid any issues.

ETIAS cost for Ukrainian citizens

For those between 18 and 70, an ETIAS costs €7 (about 286 Ukrainian Hryvnia as of July 2023) in fees. Applicants below 18 or older than 70 are not required to pay this charge. You can pay with a debit card or a credit card. If your application is rejected, the application money is not refundable.

Countries that require an ETIAS for Ukrainian citizens

All 30 EU Schengen member states will require Ukrainian nationals to have an ETIAS to visit. Among these nations are:

the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland; Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta.

ETIAS is not required for Ukrainians to enter the UK

Since the UK is not a member of the EU, entry requires no ETIAS authorization. Ukrainian nationals must obtain a visa to enter the UK.

Additionally, European nations outside of the EU, including North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Russia, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Turkey, are exempt from the ETIAS requirement. Before departing, Ukrainians should check the precise entry criteria for each nation.

Documents required for Ukrainian citizens to visit the EU

• Ukrainian passport (should remain valid for a minimum of three months after the date you intend to leave the Schengen region)
• ETIAS Authorization (starting from 2024)
• Proof of accommodation
• Evidence that you have enough money to sustain yourself for the duration of your stay in Europe

Duration of stay for Ukrainian citizens in Schengen with an ETIAS

Ukrainian nationals can stay in Europe for up to 90 days within a 180-day term with an ETIAS.

Overstaying your 90-day limit violates the Schengen 90/180-day regulation and could result in fines, instant deportation, or even a temporary ban from the Schengen Area.

The total number of stays you have accrued can be found using the simple calculator on the official Europa.eu website (https://ec.europa.eu/assets/home/visa-calculator/calculator.htm?lang=en).

Can citizens of Ukraine use an ETIAS to work or study in Europe?

Within 90 days, Ukrainian nationals can enroll in a quick course but need to get a student visa from the EU nation where they intend to study if they wish to participate in an extended educational program in Europe.

Ukrainian nationals are not permitted to work in Europe under the ETIAS authorization. ETIAS is for travel purposes, such as business, vacation, or tourism; it is merely a temporary entrance permission. Obtaining a work permit from the EU is a prerequisite for working in Europe.

ETIAS validity

The validity of an accepted ETIAS authorization is three years from the date of issuance. If your passport expires before the three-year validity period, your ETIAS will expire. You will need to reapply for ETIAS if you obtain a new passport.

Should I apply for ETIAS if I hold a visa or resident permit?

An ETIAS travel authorization is required if you have a valid visa or residency permit issued by an EU member state.

Even if they are temporarily residing in Ukraine, nationals of nations where the EU requires a visa are not qualified to apply for an ETIAS. They will have to apply for a regular Schengen visa instead.

Ukrainian citizens can enter Schengen multiple times with an approved ETIAS

Ukrainians with ETIAS travel permission are exempt from having to reapply before visiting any Schengen nation. Travelers are permitted repeated entrances into Schengen during the three-year validity period of the ETIAS.

Kindly note that having an ETIAS does not guarantee access to Schengen nations. You can travel to any EU nation with a valid ETIAS permission. But it’s up to the border patrol or immigration to decide whether or not to let you inside the area. You risk being refused entry if you don’t pass a border check or don’t comply with additional conditions.