KUALA LUMPUR: Starting from next year, Malaysian citizens have to apply for ETIAS to visit the European Union or Schengen member countries.
ETIAS document should be obtained online, before entering any European country.
With an ETIAS, Malaysians can stay in Europe for a maximum of 90 days for general tourism, business, transit or medical purposes.
The ETIAS is not a visa requirement. It is only a new system where to keep a record of who enters and leaves the EU and Schengen Zone.
According to ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) website, the ETIAS program will be in force from 2024 onward and is intended to screen travellers arriving from overseas as a response to the global increase in terrorist activities.
In the year 2024, citizens from Malaysia will be required to complete an ETIAS application prior to boarding an aircraft, sea carrier, or coach vehicle for Europe, and this includes travellers who will only be transiting in Europe en route to other destinations.
Full details can be found by visiting the ETIAS requirements page or the ETIAS FAQ’s. It is advised to review these pages prior to starting an ETIAS application to avoid any delays or the risk of an ETIAS being refused.
Applicant for ETIAS should be a full Malaysian citizen. Travellers holding a passport or travel document with a different status may be required to apply for a full Schengen visitor visa, and not an ETIAS.
Further details can be found by visiting https://etias.com/ and using the homepage assessment.
