The European Union has decided to postpone the new rule that required Canadians to register before visiting Europe. The plan, called ETIAS, was originally set to start on January 1, 2024, but it has been pushed back to sometime in 2025.
With ETIAS, Canadians, along with other visa-exempt travelers, would have needed to apply for a waiver online before heading to the Schengen area, Romania, Bulgaria, or Cyprus. The waiver would have cost seven Euros and remained valid for three years. To comply, Canadians would have had to fill out an online form, share personal details, and make the payment before their trip.
However, Canadians with an EU passport or residency card would have been exempt from this requirement. This delay will impact the many Canadians who visit the European Union each year.
Moreover, Canada already has a similar program called ETA for visa-exempt travelers coming to Canada, while the United States offers visa waiver programs for various countries. Notably, Canadians presently do not need a waiver to travel to the United States.
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