ETIAS travel authorization, a convenient entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals, is your gateway to 30 European countries. It's seamlessly linked to your passport, valid for up to three years or until your passport expires. If you get a new passport, simply obtain a new ETIAS. The application process is a breeze, a simple online transaction that produces a travel document for a nominal fee. This document, along with your passport, is all you need to present to customs officials when you arrive in your host country.
- The ETIAS document itself
- Valid, unexpired passport
- Visa/consulate letter provided to you by the MICA Office of International Education – our office will offer you this shortly after being accepted to your program – more details to come
- Acceptance letter, email, offering admissions from your study abroad/exchange program
With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - generally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions. Again, these documents include (as stated directly above):
- The ETIAS document itself
- Valid, unexpired passport
- Visa/consulate letter provided to you by the MICA Office of International Education – our office will offer you this shortly after being accepted to your program – more details to come
- Acceptance letter, email, offering admissions from your study abroad/exchange program
The MICA Office of International Education (OIE) is here to support you. We require all students to try to acquire the ETIAS before traveling. In some cases, authorization can take up to 4 weeks, so timing might be challenging for those traveling in mid-January. We encourage you to email your program in the European Union for advice after you've been accepted and to inquire about the visa and immigration services they offer. Remember, your first question should be about the ETIAS and your entry to their country for study.
Staying updated on the ETIAS website is crucial. The timing of the site going live is uncertain, and all students should be extremely mindful of this between now and January 1, 2024. Regularly checking for updates to the ETIAS program is a must. Failing to obtain the ETIAS promptly could jeopardize your semester abroad. Remember, all MICA F1 international students must have their I-20 document signed by the OIE before they depart from campus for their study abroad/exchange program.
